Friday, October 19, 2007

Veganism is beautiful


I shop for personal products at the Discount Chemist Warehouse. First, because it's cheap. But more importantly, because I have the choice between 3 or 4 different vegan brands. This is in a mainstream store, and they are very clearly labelled, and no more expensive (oftentimes cheaper) than the non-vegan products. It's amazing! In America, I had an easy time finding processed vegan food in stores, but had to order products online. Here in Townsville, it's the other way around.

You can choose from Freeman Botanicals, which specialises in fruity skincare products like this Hot Sugar Body Scrub...
Or products from the Purist Company. Their haircare products are called Al'chemy. All ingredients are organic, and plant-based. There are no sulfates or other yucky things. You can choose from Rice Amino & Wheat Protein Shampoo for dry hair, or Ylang Ylang for colour treated. Conditioners like Avocado and Calendula, or Macademia and Wheat leave your hair feeling silky smooth. Their body and skin line is called A'kin. Jasmine aromatherapy bodywash smells divine, or Rose and Geranium hand lotion moisturizes without that greasy feeling.
Natural instinct is another organic, vegan product. Their packaging is as no-frills as their product. I've used their shampoo and conditioner, and wasn't really happy with it. It did the job, but left my hair feeling a bit dry. The facial scrub is full of gritty stuff and leaves me feeling fresh.

The one thing I don't buy from the Chemist Warehouse is my toothpaste. They have no completely vegan options. But, luckily, Woolworths (a major supermarket chain) does! It's made with parsley seeds, so it tastes a bit funny but I love it.
Speaking of beautiful, there is a big shrub outside my front window which is covered in these purple flowers. In nurseries it is called a 'Geisha Girl'.
We've also got a smaller bush full of gorgeous and aromatic jasmine flowers.
I've just ordered some new vegan makeup, so I'll post a review when it comes in the mail.

8 comments:

Anna said...

What a helpful post...I have been a little slow in working things out on the non-food side of veganism, and was planning to ask you for tips when you visit! (You'll see there are still some non-vegan and probably nasty chemical-y products around the place.) Will look forward to your post on make-up, too. And of course I enjoyed the previous entry with all this delicious dishes.

Jackie said...

Sadly in South Africa I only have a rather short list of Vegan, cruelty free personal products which our local BWC updates regularly....far stricter than PETA who has many scary companies on their list.

How beautiful the Geisha Girl flowers are I have never seen the plant here in South Africa.

Everyone is mad here at the moment with rugby fever with the finals up tomorrow. Hope the Aussies will be cheering for us LOL

Lori- the Pleasantly Plump Vegan said...

fun stuff!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

these products look fabulous!! I wonder if I can find any of those brands at my local Whole Foods...

Pink Theory said...

I really enjoy the vegan Freeman products because they are usually pretty cheap. The flowers are also so beautiful. I absolutely love the smell of jasmine!

Unknown said...

I think I must have been inspired by all the American blogs I read to make my halloween cookies!! I have been searching for 'pumpkin spice' on the shelves but can't seem to find it here. :( There is a good spice shop in Balmain here so I'm going to give them a try. It's my last resort.

I love your blog!!! I have never seen Freeman 'totally juicy' before but that apple one sounds divine! I'll have to hunt it down. I love the Al'chemy products.

And yay for springtime!

Anonymous said...

i do wish i have makeup and personal care vegan products available, here we dont have almost choices and i miss makeup.

Anonymous said...

i forgot to add, absolutely love the flowers and the beach photos at the topof the blog!