As consciousness of what goes into the humble beauty routine increases amongst gurus and savvy advocates alike, navigating the vegan and cruelty-free beauty landscape can derail even those with the best of intentions. Joining the original ‘V Gang’ members, the habitually curious are turning this once alternative habit into a regular lifestyle. Here’s our pick of the top vegan friendly salons – to help you achieve an altruistic glow, one beauty treatment at a time.
By Ashlyn Howie
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1 Monster House Salon
Best for: all vegan everything
East London’s Monster House Salon is an alternative vegan wonderland located just off Brick Lane. Take a trip down the rabbit hole into an offering of hair treatments and styling in a safe space, where the atypical is celebrated and your visit is guaranteed to be cruelty-free. To sample their signature creative styling and line of vegan hair care, we recommend the Wash, Haircut & Blow Dry.
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2 Le Fix
Best for: a top to tail vegan pamper session
Located on Baker Street, Le Fix is a natural beauty bar and concept store who pride themselves on their toxic-free, natural, vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics and treatments. From 'minicures' and mini facials, to express nail art and brow tinting, their menu offers an extensive range of spoiling treatments that will have you in and out the door in no time. Though you might just want to stick around – they're situated in a fun and vibrant creative space called The Koppel Project, which also boasts a delicious coffee shop, modern art gallery, and bookstore. We recommend their signature manicure, which you can enjoy safe in the knowledge that all products used are all cruelty-free and vegan!
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3 WhiP Hackney
Best for: easing your way in
Whip Hackney is a hot spot for both ladies and men's hair styling, with vintage decor and records spinning throughout the salon giving the parlor a cool, classic feel. A short walk away from Hackney Central allows for more than enough time to enjoy the complimentary 15-minute hair consultation before your appointment begins, cue your unanswered CF questions and exploring the range. Although not all lines here are totally vegan-friendly, the colour bar does include the Biodynamic range, perfect for that cruelty-free restyle you’ve been putting off.
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4 Hair Organics Putney
Best for: colour without chemicals
It’s all in the name for Hair Organics Putney where not only is the offering of hair colourants vegan they’re also ammonia-free, cruelty-free and gluten-free. Result! As specialists in natural-based hair colouring and hair treatments the polished Lower Richmond Road based salon serves transforming looks, semi or permanent, without the nasty extras. For a more manageable mane that’s healthier, shinier and totally organic we recommend the Advanced Avocado Treatment.
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5 The Aveda Lifestyle Salon
Best for: their one-stop-shop menu offerings
The Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa is like a little bubble of tranquility in bustling Covent Garden, offering a selection of highly pampering treatments and products that allow you to sit back and relax while their team of experts do all the hard work. From express touchups to luxurious massages and facials using their heavenly scented (and most importantly cruelty-free products), Aveda doesn’t mess around when it comes to the art of pampering. And the best part? They have an in-built store, so you can easily stock up on products after your treatment. We recommend the Aveda Aroma Massage that uses a concoction of their world famous aromatherapy oils. Bliss.
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6 Kokoa Eco Beauty Bar
Best for: Northern cheer
We couldn’t share our favourites without mentioning Kokoa Eco Beauty Bar, although not based in London, this welcoming spot is rooted in lush Altrincham and is the area’s first completely vegan salon. The space has a whimsical feel, with radiant and cheerful decor dotted around the bar and plenty of bright features making for a seriously serene atmosphere. The team here are on hand to make vegan manicures and pedicures common place, whilst their facials are created with custom blends of skin care and speak for themselves. We highly reccomend the Deluxe Facial for a full dermal detox.
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