When I came into the makeup industry, I had no idea it would end up being my career but I did know that it was going to be the start of something very special and potentially life-changing. Makeup has always played a big part in my life from a very young age as I struggled with cystic acne so often turned to makeup to mask my severe imperfections. Going into this profession, I naturally gravitated towards wanting to help people who may have encountered similar problems. I never realised how many women are so self-deprecating and self-conscious about their skin and appearance until I came into this industry, which is why I feel so grateful I can help people shift their way of thinking and feel amazing about themselves, especially on one of the most important days of their life.

In 2016 I turned vegetarian and eventually went Vegan two years later. My first love in life has always and will always be animals so it felt right and a totally natural transition. I had been in the industry for a few years, working with big names brands like Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder and MAC. I’ve always been an “all or nothing” person and post going Vegan, it was incredibly important to me that I aligned my personal beliefs with my professional ones. I knew that the company that I was working for didn’t have the right ethical stance and something just started to sit uncomfortable with me about being part of the organisation. My decision to leave felt like it had come at the right time as I wanted to grow and develop my wedding business which I would have complete creative control over and grow a brand which encapsulated all that I believed about modern makeup whilst delivering an ethical message.

I not only wanted to create a unique wedding business offering a high end service to clients who are seeking a more natural and modern approach to their wedding makeup, but also to educate and show people just how easy it is to switch to good ethically aware brands. Cruelty free makeup means that at no stage in the production has the product or ingredients been tested on animals, nor have they paid a third party to do this on their behalf.  Animal exploitation in the beauty industry is continuously being exposed as time goes on, however I found that a lot of people are still not aware of what makes a brand not cruelty free, as the confusion lies with the fact that animal testing has been banned in UK and Europe for many years. The grey area is that although this may be the case, brands (such as Estee Lauder, MAC, Chanel, YSL, NARS to name a few!) can choose to sell in countries like China, whereby law it is mandatory to test on animals before selling the products to the public. I have carried out a lot of research and really invested some time looking into brands and products to be able to offer the best advice and be an ambassador for companies which I personally believe have the right principles.

There are some AMAZING companies out there all flying the flag for cruelty free and vegan friendly as times are evolving with more and more people becoming conscious of what they are eating, looking after the environment and being more ethical with their choices. It’s wonderful to see these businesses thriving and creating a positive name for themselves however It’s important to mention that unfortunately there are companies like Unilever, Loreal and Estee Lauder who are exploiting the growing trend and are claiming that some of their products are “Vegan friendly”  to entice customers even though their company is anything but ethical. If in doubt there are some great websites I trust such as Cruelty Free Kitty and Ethical Elephant where you can do a quick check!

The rise of Vegan friendly makeup has been huge but the question I get asked the most is “Do the products last?”. There are many preconceptions about vegan makeup, some fear that they will be lacking in something or just not have any longevity, but in my opinion the truth is that the performance of the product is in no way compromised but actually improved. The biggest selling point of makeup and the key benefits which has no animal derived ingredients is that not only are they less harmful but in most cases are Paraben, gluten free and Talc free which is great if you have sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea, acne or if you are celiac. It's heart-warming to find so many brands choose to not test their products or ingredients on animals and a handful of those brands are 100% vegan too. These and many more are all integral to making a change for the future of makeup production.

I am super proud to be one of the only Cruelty Free makeup artists in the West Midlands and I do feel a sense of joy when clients connect with that side of my business. The wedding industry is forever evolving and changing for the better as more and more suppliers who are driven by positive changes and principles are becoming increasingly on the map. I regularly get contacted by ethical planners and suppliers who reach out because they are searching for companies who are actively being eco-friendly, sustainable and cruelty free. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be a part of forward thinking and evolving industry.

I always wanted a company which felt right ethically but also ensuring that it doesn’t alienate anyone as I truly want to help people regardless to what they believe. I thrive on being a positive soul, super helpful and making people feel comfortable and confident. I’m lucky to have some incredible testimonials from brides who have had the best experience with me. I truly love what I do and I feel eternally grateful to be able to call this my job!

Harper x