More vegan and cruelty-free product choice than ever!

The cruelty-free and vegan hair and beauty category is exploding and it's high time too! Animal testing has been banned in the UK since 1998 but until recent years quality and choice in the hair and beauty sector has been poor. Customer demand and brand commitment is now driving huge growth and by 2027 the value of the sector is predicted to be £16 billion*.

What to look out for-by law manufacturers can only make claims on packaging if they are supported, so read the small print. Not all products are both vegan and cruelty-free so if you see one claim, don’t assume both. Brands like Osmo and its sub-brand Osmo Ikon offer both and include a huge range of styling, care and professional colour. Icons (such as the cruelty-free "bunny") offer guidance, and you can check icons online with sites like Ethical Elephant.

Try before you buy-switching brands is hard for any salon or beauty business, so test out brands that work well for you and your customers. Brands such as Hive offer great vegan and cruelty-free options that are popular with CooBlades customers.

Kindness pays-the men's sector in vegan and cruelty-free is matching pace with women's, so don't neglect your barbering and men's hairdressing customers. Brands such as The Bluebeards Revenge also offer completely recycled and recycleable packaging to add to their ethical credentials.

Show off your choices-vegan and cruelty-free options are something to shout about, and demonstrate to your customers that you're considering their wellbeing as well as great results. There is so much choice and whether you're offering tanning with brands like Crazy Angel or super bright colours (think Crazy Color), then there's sure to be something to offer your customers.

* Vegan society