New Vegan Makeup Store Opens in California

Vegan cosmetics store Velvet 59 opened last week in the Aliso Viejo, CA. Founder Paris Manning opened the flagship store with the mission of “capturing vintage glamour from a bygone era and bringing it to the Modern World, while sourcing sustainable, 100 percent vegan ingredients that also give back to the community.” The 22-year old admits that her venture is a “tall order” but says, “I’m here to tackle it and to make it a reality.” Manning draws inspiration from beauty icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marilyn Monroe, along with her international upbringing, both in England and upstate New York. Velvet 59 features products such as creamy lipsticks named after coastal California destinations such as Topanga and PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), ultra-pigmented and paraben-free eye shadows, and unique liquid lipsticks infused with sacha inchi oil. Every item at the store is “Meiling Approved,” which means that Manning’s dog Meiling appreciates that her products are cruelty-free and stand up to Manning’s standard that “animals are gifts for us to appreciate and take care of.” Vegan beauty has been in the spotlight recently with Kat Von D’s decision to veganize her makeup line, the release of a vegan eye shadow palette by The Body Shop, and the launch of vegan lipstick line by ColourPop.