Always on the lookout for kind indulgences in the world of beauty and fragrance, several years ago I was happy to discover Ecco Bella, an animal-friendly and eco-friendly company.
I especially like (and have) two of their eau de parfum scents: Bourbon Vanilla and Lemon Verbena. They are light and simple and easy to wear. Unlike many of the more unusual perfumes in my collection, there is nothing complicated or challenging here, note-wise. If you’re looking for strong basenotes, these are definitely not the ones for you! But, their effervescence is just what I want sometimes.
Lemon Verbena is a quiet lemon scent with notes of lemon, lemongrass, geranium and rosemary. It is a cheerful citrus fragrance. Bourbon Vanilla is a dry, woodsy vanilla. It is drier than the vanilla notes in some other perfumes, so while it is a little sweet, it does not smell like a cupcake. The listed notes are vanilla absolute, cocoa absolute, rose and jasmine. The overall effect is natural and lovely.
The Ecco Bella perfumes are blends of essential oils in a natural grain alcohol base, and they are vegan and cruelty-free. I wish they lasted longer on the skin; the scent is subtle and a bit fleeting, as with many natural perfumes, but I just refresh when I’m craving a boost. I have found that layering with a body lotion (I particularly like the Lemon Verbena) helps extend their longevity without drastically increasing the strength of the scent, which is perfect for occasions when you truly want to keep your scent well within your personal space. And, they are relatively quite affordable at around $20 or less, so I’m happy to spritz away as often as I want.
Ecco Bella also has a line of cosmetics, and some of my favorite lipsticks (Cafe au Lait, for one) come from this collection. Note: some of the lipstick shades contain carmine (which I avoid), but several do not and they’re smooth and long-lasting. They contain flower waxes, rather than beeswax, which is also more animal-friendly.
From the company website:
Q. Which product are suitable for vegans?
Currently all products can be used successfully by vegans except for the following lip products which contain carmine: Lipsticks: Pink Rose, Mauve Rose, Claret Rose, Tuscany Rose and Napa Grape, Good For You Gloss: Power and Passion. Our complete line of Lip Crayons also contain carmine. Blush colors that contain carmine are Burgundy Rose, Wild Rose, Orchid Rose and Coral Rose. Our Beige and Medium Beige Cover Up sticks contain beeswax.
This is a kind company that has been around since 1992, and it was founded on the principles that 1) if the cosmetic is intended for humans, it should be tested on humans and not animals and 2) the products should contain ingredients that are natural and safe. I’ve had trouble finding some of their products in my usual brick-and-mortar locations (natural food stores) lately, but they do have an online store that offers the full range of cosmetics and fragrances. In fact, I’ve been browsing the online store to check out their hair care, body care and skincare lines. And, I know that I can purchase and use these products in good conscience. What a way to shop!
cool cool cool. I love Ecco Bella scents too and am glad to hear that they are vegan. Thanks for checking!