RAW TALES GIVES READERS AN INSIGHT LOOK INTO VEGAN COMPANIES AND THE INDIVIDUALS BEHIND THE BRAND. WE ASKED OUR FEATURES TO BE RAW AND TRANSPARENT IN SHARING THEIR CHALLENGES, SUCCESS, AND THE PASSION THAT CONTINUES TO DRIVE THEIR BUSINESS.
We gladly introduce the Raw Tale of Lynsey Drewett, Owner of VE Cosmetics.
VE Cosmetics was born out of Lynsey’s love of makeup and her trying to find makeup that she would be happy to put on her own skin.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A VEGAN?
I became Vegan whilst pregnant with my son ( approx 3 years ago). I’ve always avoided dairy products as I didn’t believe we needed milk from another species. Something just clicked into place while I was pregnant and I decided to cut everything out that was animal-derived and go vegan. It’s the best decision I ever made. I think being a mother made me look at the world differently. I’d been aware of the suffering and naively bought into the “humane meat” myth but my pregnancy just made me look at the world differently.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START VE COSMETICS?
I have been wanting to start my own cosmetics line for a very long time ( I used to be a professional model and a voice for anti-vivisection), so I’d already been doing a lot of research into cosmetics and starting my own line, becoming vegan just made me want to do a 100% vegan company even more!
WHAT PRODUCT/SERVICE DO YOU OFFER?
I offer a range of makeup and holistic products such as essential oil mixes to help with insomnia, depression, stress, exhaustion etc.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WITH HAVING A VEGAN COMPANY?
Finding alternatives to use instead of the typical ingredients like beeswax and Carmine etc. and getting them to react correctly with the rest of the ingredients which, has led to a lot of trial and error and sleepless nights!
WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOUR COMPANY?
Being a name that people recommend and know. Also, hopefully converting more people to the cruelty-free way of life along the way ( I have 7 converts so far in the two years I’ve been actively trading).
WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR INSPIRATION?
Nature, me and my little boy. I love sitting out in the garden and watching the wildlife. It’s amazing how inspired you can be by flowers and the colors on insects!
IN ONE SENTENCE WHAT WOULD YOU TELL AN ASPIRING VEGAN ENTREPRENEUR?
Go for it- we need to make veganism more convenient so the more 100% vegan companies out there the easier it is for us!
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OUR READERS TO KNOW?
This company has started selling all my clothes/jewelry and shoes to raise an initial £800 for a lipstick mold and a small number of ingredients. If I can do it you can too!
