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🌟 We’re Finalists at the BASA Awards — And We Need Your Magic ✨ I have news that still feels surreal: VE Cosmetics has been named a finalist in the BASA Awards! This moment means so much more than recognition — it’s proof that even a one-woman brand, operating from midnight spells and determination, can reach for the stars. What Are the BASA Awards? The BASA Awards (Best of United Kingdom Small Business Awards) celebrate small businesses and entrepreneurs who are making waves in their industries. They shine a light on innovation, passion, resilience, and the kind of heart that makes a brand more than just a product line. BASA Awards® Each year, finalists are selected through a rigorous judging process, and those who score above a threshold (an average of 75% from the judges) are invited to a public vote round. BASA Awards® That’s where you come in. You can cast your vote here:➡️ Vote for VE Cosmetics Why This Matters to Me (And to You) Because this isn’t just about trophies and titles. For me, as VE Cosmetics, this nomination is: Validation of the hustle — the late nights, the learning curves, the trial and error. Proof of community power — that even in niche beauty spaces, people care deeply about values, cruelty-free ethics, and creativity. A platform — an opportunity to introduce VE Cosmetics to new witch-hearts and beauty lovers who might not yet know us. It’s also a reminder that small brands, especially ones guided by one person, carry immense weight in turning dreams into reality. How We Got Here: The Journey & the Challenges You know I don’t believe in glossing over the hard parts. Getting to this point has involved more than just creativity and product development , it’s been about wading through red tape, customs, tariffs, and the emotional rollercoaster of being a small, independent beauty brand. So this BASA nomination isn’t just for VE. It’s ours yours, mine, and everyone who’s whispered encouragement in DM threads or left a hopeful comment. How You Can Help: Vote, Share & Amplify If VE Cosmetics has ever whispered magic into your makeup bag, I’m asking for a small gesture: vote for us in the BASA Awards public round. 🖤 Click this link ➡️ Vote for VE Cosmetics 🖤 Use your social media to share — stories, posts, a quick “I voted for VE” shout-out. 🖤 Tag fellow beauty lovers, indie brand supporters, and those who would love what we do but haven’t discovered us yet. Every vote is a spark. Every share is a ripple. And together, they carry energy straight into that finalists’ circle. A Thank You, From My Heart Whether or not we take home the award, being a BASA finalist is already a triumph I’ll carry into every product launch, every new idea, every midnight spell session. Thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for believing in vegan cruelty-free beauty, for rooting for indie brands, and for letting VE Cosmetics be more than just makeup. Let’s see where this path leads  together. 🌙🔮 👉https://www.basawards.com/en-gb/pages/public-vote👈

Shipping Restored to the USA – A Journey of Perseverance, Potions & Patience For those who’ve been waiting across the ocean the wait is finally over. 🖤VE Cosmetics is once again shipping to the USA, and our vegan, cruelty-free, gothic creations can finally fly back to their American altars. A Little Backstory When international shipping rules shifted, our small (and very human!) indie brand was hit hard. Tariffs, customs changes, and courier complications made sending parcels to the EU and later the USA nearly impossible for a while. For a one-woman business, it was more than just an inconvenience; it was a heartbreak. Watching our overseas coven struggle to restock their favourites, knowing orders couldn’t cross borders, felt like a spell gone wrong. But every witch knows curses are breakable .. The Learning Curve Over the last few months, we’ve worked tirelessly to understand and implement tariff systems, update checkout automation, and test courier options that balance affordability with reliability. It’s been a journey of spreadsheets, shipping codes, and sheer willpower  but today, it’s paid off. ✨ We’re thrilled to say that VE Cosmetics now ships again to the USA. Our ethical, vegan, and cruelty-free makeup is once again available to beauty lovers worldwide (we cannot however ship our Fragrances to the USA and Canada yet). Why It Matters VE Cosmetics has always been more than a brand. It’s a community bound by shared values, compassion, rebellion, and the magick of self-expression. Re-opening shipping to our US Coven isn’t just about business; it’s about connection, accessibility, and bringing our alt beauty family back together. So wherever you are, whether painting sigils with our eyeliners in Scotland or summoning glamour in Salem we’re back, ready to deliver the magick to your door. Because beauty, like magick, should have no borders. 🌍✨

Welcome to The Bell Witch Podcast, founded in March 2023—a captivating show designed to guide both new and seasoned witches and pagans in “Witching in the 21st Century.” Join our bi-weekly adventures with Swailes, the “Friendly Green Witch” from Leeds, UK. With her charming Yorkshire accent, Swailes brings a unique blend of passion for the magical lifestyle and a love for all things spiritual and spooky. The Bell Witch Podcast features alternating episodes: “Moot Loots,” where Swailes invites monthly guests who are experts in spirituality and witchcraft for enlightening discussions, and “Solitary Witch” episodes, where she personally engages with listeners about the vibrant pagan lifestyle. Crafted with love and authenticity, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in the craft!  

VE Cosmetics reflects on the local business awards, staying true to its vegan, cruelty-free, and ethical roots and proof that integrity is its own victory.

When the world feels too heavy, here are grounding rituals, small acts of resistance, and compassionate self-care to help you through.

Persephone Perfume: A Gothic Fragrance for Those Who Walk Between Two Worlds On October 1st, the veil parts and our newest fragrance rises from the shadows: Persephone. Inspired by the Queen of the Underworld and Goddess of Spring, this gothic perfume embodies duality—light and dark, life and death, bloom and decay. A scent for those who walk between two worlds, Persephone is crafted for any soul who refuses to be bound by ordinary fragrance. Bold yet elegant, sensual yet unearthly, it is a unisex elixir of occult glamour. The Fragrance Notes Top Notes: Smouldering pomegranate, rich and forbidden as the fruit of myth. Heart Notes: Lily—soft, haunting, a floral echo that lingers like a ghost. Base Notes: Guaiacwood and patchouli, earthy and grounding, binding the fragrance in smoke and shadow. Why Persephone is Gothic Perfume Reimagined This is not a timid floral or fleeting spritz. Persephone is a heavy fragrance, designed to cloak you in mystery and endurance. It lingers, it haunts, it transforms the wearer into something unforgettable. Unlike mass-market scents, Persephone is vegan, cruelty-free, and crafted with care—true gothic skincare and fragrance ethics at its heart. No creatures harmed, no compromises made, only dark glamour in a bottle. How to Wear the Ritual For Lasting Power: Spray onto clothing or fabric—this holds the fragrance longer than skin alone. Pulse Points: Apply to wrists, inner elbows, and behind the ears for a warmer projection. Layering Magick: Pair with our Crone or Witch perfumes to deepen the occult aura and weave a custom spell of scent. The Myth Behind the Scent Persephone’s story is one of transformation: from maiden to queen, from captive to ruler, from light to dark. This fragrance captures that same duality. Wear it to invoke strength, embrace change, or simply revel in the beauty of contradictions. Who Is It For? Lovers of gothic fragrance seeking something heavier, darker, and more sensual. Those drawn to unisex perfumes that defy traditional gendered marketing. Anyone who craves a scent steeped in myth, occult glamour, and magick. On October 1st, Persephone awakens.Dare to claim the fruit of the underworld. 🕯️🌑

Mabon – The Autumn Equinox: A Ritual for Balance & Renewal As the wheel of the year turns, today we arrive at Mabon, the Autumn Equinox — a sacred point of perfect balance between day and night. For just a moment, light and dark hold equal sway before we descend into the shadow half of the year. Named for a Welsh deity often associated with youth and rebirth, Mabon is a festival of gratitude, harvest, and reflection. Ancient peoples marked this time by celebrating the bounty of the land, honouring both the life-giving sun and the darkening nights that whisper of rest and renewal. For us modern witches, it’s a reminder to pause: to give thanks for what we’ve gathered (whether harvests, lessons, or personal victories), and to prepare for the inward journey of autumn and winter. A Cruelty-Free Ritual for Mabon Here’s a simple ritual you can perform today, needing only a few mindful moments and your magickal tools of choice. 1. Create Your Sacred SpaceLight a candle in autumnal tones — gold, rust, or deep crimson. Let this flame represent the balance of light and dark. If incense calls to you, choose scents like patchouli, myrrh, or cedar to ground your energy. 2. Offer GratitudeGather three small objects that symbolise what you’re grateful for this year (they might be crystals, a handwritten note, or even your favourite lipstick from your altar of beauty). Hold each one and speak aloud your thanks. 3. Balance Within & WithoutUsing a mirror, trace a symbol of balance on your skin — a pentacle, a spiral, or simply a line down the centre of your face. You can do this with eyeliner, lipstick, or shadow; beauty becomes your ritual tool here. As you draw, affirm:“I honour the light, I honour the dark, I hold them both within my heart.” 4. Release & PrepareWrite one thing you wish to release as you enter the darker half of the year. Fold the paper, place it under your candle, and let the flame’s energy transform it. 5. Close With AbundanceFinish your ritual by anointing yourself with a colour that makes you feel powerful — perhaps a rich red lip, a blackened wing, or a dusting of shimmer. Carry that glamour as your magickal shield for the season ahead. Living Magick, Everyday Mabon is not just about a single ritual — it’s about carrying balance into our daily lives. As witches of compassion, we weave this through in every choice we make, from choosing cruelty-free beauty to nurturing the earth that sustains us. Today, as the veil of balance falls across the world, take a moment to breathe, to celebrate your harvests, and to step into the shadows with intention. Blessed Mabon, Coven. 🍂✨

“VE Cosmetics celebrates winning a Stevie Award 2025—honouring our decade of vegan, cruelty-free, ethical beauty and alternative innovation.”

Pre-Glued Lashes: A Ritual of Ease and Enchantment Not every spell requires hours of preparation. Some magick slips easily into your hands, ready to weave beauty without toil. Our pre-glued lashes are exactly that—a ritual of instant glamour, where dark enchantment meets effortless application. Whether you seek a soft whisper of volume or a full bewitching gaze, these clusters cling like shadows, waiting only for your touch to awaken them. Here’s how to summon them with precision and care. Preparation: The Sacred Ground Before you begin, ensure your natural lashes are clean, dry, and stripped of oils, makeup, or residue.Curl them gently—like bending willow branches—so they blend seamlessly with the lashes you are about to call forth.Choose your lengths as you would choose your tools: shorter clusters for the inner corners, longer for the outer edges, creating a wing that lifts like a crescent moon. Application: The Summoning Remove with Care: Using an applicator or tweezers, lift a cluster from its tray. Do not touch the adhesive base—it is already charged with binding magick. Position with Intention: Look down into a mirror and, with your free hand, lift your eyelid slightly. Place the cluster beneath your natural lashes, close to—but never upon—the waterline. Seal the Pact: Use your applicator to clamp your natural lashes and the cluster together, fusing them as one. Repeat the Ritual: Work outwards, placing each cluster in turn, until your gaze is cloaked in the fullness you desire. No gaps, only seamless shadow. Aftercare: Keeping the Glamour Reinforce: Each morning, gently clamp your lashes again to strengthen their hold. Protect: Avoid water for the first 24–48 hours, and shield them from long immersions thereafter. Rest Wisely: Sleep on your back where possible; pressing your lashes into the pillow may weaken their bond. Removal: Releasing the Spell When the time comes, do not tug or tear. Simply press at the base of a cluster with your fingertip and peel it away softly. Like a spell undone, it will release without harm. Pro Tips from the Coven Always gaze down into a mirror—it grants the clearest view of your lash line. Use one hand to lift your lid slightly, making the placement precise. Avoid applying over makeup, oils, or SPF—such interference dulls the adhesive’s magick. With pre-glued lashes, you hold both speed and sorcery in your hands. No waiting, no potions—only instant transformation. A glance reborn, a gaze enchanted. 🕯️👁️

Under the flicker of candlelight and the watchful gaze of the moon, we’ve been keeping a little secret… The veil has finally lifted, and we can share the news — VE Cosmetics has been named a finalist in the UK Small Business Awards 2025. Out of tens of thousands of small businesses across the UK, our little coven has been recognised in the Best Beauty Business category. The competition was fiercer than ever, with stricter judging and higher entry standards, making this achievement all the more spellbinding.

Super important shipping update to my Customers in the USA.

🎩 Gothic Glam Meets High Society: VE Cosmetics Takes Vanity Fair 🎩 Hold onto your top hats, because VE Cosmetics has just made another grand entrance—this time in the chambers of Vanity Fair (Deutschland)! It’s surreal to see our little coven of ethical alchemists featured under the headline “Ethics and Innovation: How VE Cosmetics Is Reshaping Beauty Standards”—you can read the full piece here After 10 years of stirring the cauldron of change—offering our expertise for free, empowering manufacturers to craft truly vegan lines, and shouting loudly enough to expose child exploitation in mica mines—it seems the world is finally listening. But let’s be clear: this isn’t mere glitz.This is validation.Our unwavering ethics, our science-first approach, and our relentless advocacy have earned a seat at the high table. In the world of beauty, where profit often trumps principles, we chose a different path. We chose transparent formulations, cruelty-free certifications, and community over capital. We insisted that beauty shouldn't cost the earth—or human lives. Seeing our hard work featured in Vanity Fair isn’t just a trophy. It’s proof that ethical innovation does demand respect. It signals that the industry is waking up to a new standard—one rooted in accountability, compassion, and radical creativity. This recognition isn’t just ours—it belongs to every ethical pioneer, every consumer who refuses to compromise, and every marginalized voice we amplify through our brand. So we tip our hat (and sharpen our eyeliner) to this moment. Because it's official: Ethics are luxe. Innovation is power. And alternative brands? We're the future. With pride, defiance, and just a touch of flair,Lynsey 

🕯️ From the Shadows to the Spotlight: VE Cosmetics in Forbes 🕯️ It finally happened.We clawed our way out of the underworld — and straight into Forbes. Yes, that Forbes. After over a decade of conjuring up ethical chaos in an industry addicted to glossing over cruelty, we’re honoured (and a little bit gobsmacked) to be featured in an article that shines a light on what we’ve been fighting for since day one. You can read it here: VE Cosmetics: How One Company is Reshaping Beauty Through Science and Advocacy This isn’t just press. This is a reckoning. For years, VE Cosmetics has put principles before profit — a decision that doesn’t make the path easy, but makes it worth it. While others focused on market trends, we were knee-deep in science, ethics, and magick, helping manufacturers strip away animal by-products, expose greenwashing, and create genuinely vegan alternatives. And we did it for free.Why? Because real change doesn’t happen when you're watching the bottom line. It happens when you're willing to get your hands dirty — metaphorically, and occasionally with a lot of spilled glitter. We've stood against child exploitation in mica mining. We've challenged complacency in cruelty-free claims. We've raised our voices (and our eyeliner wands) against industry giants because silence was never our style. To see this work recognised in a publication like Forbes? That’s not just a win for us.It’s a win for every alternative brand that’s been told they’re “too niche.”For every customer who’s chosen ethics over aesthetics.For every gothic soul who’s felt unseen in a beige beauty landscape. This moment is proof that being unapologetically us — black lipstick, sharp ethics, and all — was always the right path. We’re not done. We’re just getting louder. Thank you for walking this path with us. Here's to building a better beauty industry — one spell, one serum, and one rebellion at a time. 🖤 With eternal gratitude,Lynsey & the VE Coven

o be recognised on a global stage for doing what we believe in — creating gothic, cruelty-free beauty without harming animals or the planet — is nothing short of magickal. 🌱🕯️

Lynsey Drewett, the visionary founder of VE Cosmetics, has recently been recognised for her outstanding achievements, earning a nomination for the prestigious Business Mum of the Year Award at the Women in Business Awards. 

VE Cosmetics has been recognized with a 2025 Global Recognition Award for its innovative approach to ethical beauty innovation and exceptional commitment to addressing environmental and social challenges.

Summon your stage persona. Summon your shadow self.Doom Paints were forged for ritual performance, live gigs, drag, body art, and unholy glamour . A line created for those who blur the line between beauty and invocation. These oil-based face paints are intensely pigmented, fiercely opaque, and built to endure under blazing stage lights, long nights, and the chaos of transformation. Born from the same ethos as VE itself - vegan, cruelty-free, and unapologetically bold . Doom Paints are here to serve your most dramatic rituals.   🔥 The Ritual of Application Oil-based paints are a different kind of alchemy, they demand focus, intention, and respect for their texture. To summon their full power, follow the ritual below: Start with a clean, dry canvas.Doom Paints bond best to bare skin.Do not layer over silicone or water-based primers or foundations as these will break the spell. Even if you “fix” the top layer, it won’t truly adhere. No water needed as this isn’t mortal paint.Unlike lesser formulas, Doom Paints don’t need to be awakened with water.Simply dip your brush or sponge directly into the pigment, and let it glide onto the skin. Build your creation.Apply thin layers for detail, or bold swathes for stage impact.Blend or smudge with fingers, brushes, or sponges, Doom Paints remain alive and malleable as you work.   🌑 Sealing the Spell Oil-based paints never fully “set”  they stay a little alive on your skin, flexible and ready to move with you. To keep your masterpiece in place: Seal with translucent powder or fixing spray to reduce transfer and lock in the magick. If you’re performing or dancing under heat, layering translucent powder between shades can increase longevity.   🌙 Cleansing After Chaos When your ritual is complete, remove your Doom Paints with an oil-based cleanser, coconut, olive, or jojoba oils work beautifully. Massage gently to break down the pigment before wiping away.Follow with a gentle face wash to clear any residue and prevent post-ritual blemishes. ✨ Treat your skin kindly after your transformation  even the fiercest demons need moisturiser.   ⚡ Who They’re For Doom Paints are made for artists, drag performers, goths, cosplayers, ritualists, musicians, and anyone brave enough to wear their shadow on the outside.Their rich opacity makes them ideal for: Creative makeup sorcery Stage or performance work Face and body art Editorial or photographic projects Chaos-fuelled transformation These paints are not for the faint of heart, they are for those who summon rather than apply.   🕯️ In Closing Your face is your altar.Your body is your stage.Let Doom Paints be your war paint, your glamour spell, your invocation of self. Because sometimes, beauty isn’t about blending in ...It’s about becoming the myth.

  There’s a quiet sort of magick in foundation. It’s the base of every spell, the canvas before the art. But when it comes to how to apply it, the beauty world can make you feel like there’s only one right way. Spoiler alert: there isn’t. Whether you paint your face like a Renaissance witch with a brush, bounce a sponge like a chaotic alchemist, or blend with your bare fingers like a forest spirit — there’s no wrong ritual, only what works best for you.   🌙 1. The Brush — Precision & Power Makeup brushes are your wands of control.They’re perfect for those who love a polished, airbrushed finish — each stroke distributing product evenly and letting you build coverage where needed. 🖤 Flat brushes give fuller coverage — ideal for formal glamour or photography.🕯️ Buffing brushes help melt product into the skin for a natural, seamless look. Pro witch tip: swirl in gentle circles or stipple rather than drag — you’re coaxing the foundation into your skin, not painting a wall.   💧 2. The Sponge — Softness & Seamless Spells The beauty sponge (or blender) is the modern coven’s crystal orb ,squishy, magical, and oddly satisfying. Dampen it slightly before use (never soaking wet, I use our setting spray ), then bounce it gently across your face. This technique gives that coveted “skin-but-better” finish ,sheer, soft, and perfectly diffused. It’s ideal for liquid or cream foundations and especially friendly for those who prefer a dewy, natural glow. ✨ Magickal bonus: use the pointed end for small areas (like around the nose or eyes) and the round side for larger areas.   🌿 3. The Fingers — Raw Energy & Connection Sometimes the most sacred tools are the ones you were born with.Applying foundation with your fingers warms the product, helping it melt effortlessly into your skin, especially true for light, luminous formulas. It’s quick, intimate, and travel-friendly (because who hasn’t done their makeup in a car mirror before a ritual or gig?). 🖤 Best for sheer coverage or tinted moisturisers.🕯️ Wash your hands first, whisper something kind to yourself, and blend with intention.   🖤 4. The Hybrid Method — Chaos & Perfection Many witches combine tools, brush first for placement, sponge after for blending, or fingers to start and brush to finish.Makeup is alchemy, after all sometimes you need more than one element to complete the spell. Experiment, adjust, repeat. That’s how you find your perfect potion.   🔮 So… Which Way Is Right? All of them. None of them. Yours. The truth is, there’s no single correct ritual for foundation.Your skin type, the product formula, the season, and even your mood all play a part. Foundation isn’t about perfection, it’s about harmony. It’s about crafting the skin you want to step into today, whether that’s flawlessly sculpted or naturally radiant. So trust your instincts.Try every tool, mix every technique, and claim your own magick in the mirror. Because makeup, like witchcraft , works best when it’s personal. 🕯️✨

  There’s an ancient saying in the coven: “If in doubt, add more blush.”And honestly? I live by it. Blusher isn’t just makeup,  it’s necromancy for the face. One sweep, and you’ve gone from “ethereal ghost haunting the castle halls” to “ethereal ghost who’s thriving.”   💋 What Is Blusher? In mortal terms: pigment that mimics a natural flush, dusted across your cheeks (and sometimes nose) to bring warmth and life to your complexion. In which terms: bottled vitality. The illusion of blood flow. A charm to convince mortals you sleep occasionally. Perfect for the school run and why I wear too much!   🌙 The Symptoms of Blush Blindness You start with a whisper of colour.Then you add a little more.Then a little more.And before you know it, you’re the human embodiment of a freshly summoned spirit who’s just been complimented. Some call this Blush Blindness but I refuse to see it as a problem.   🕯️ How to Conjure the Perfect Flush Choose your potion:Powder for control, cream for dewiness, or Multi Tints for an all-in-one spell.Pick a tone that suits your mood, not your undertone, pinks for feeling cute, corals for vitality, mauves for mystery, reds for “I’ve made questionable choices and look stunning anyway.” Placement, not panic:For a lifted look, focus on the upper cheekbones.For a cute, cottage goblin flush, bring it to the apples of your cheeks and across the nose.There are no rules only vibes. Blend softly (or don’t):Subtle witches tap. Bold witches swirl. Unhinged witches use their entire palm.Whichever path you choose, may your cheeks tell stories of passion, chaos, and excellent lighting. 🩸 The Philosophy of Blush Blusher isn’t about subtlety. It’s about aliveness.It’s proof that even the darkest hearts can carry warmth. So go ahead  drown in rose tones, summon coral storms, and sweep crimson like a fever dream. If anyone asks if you’ve applied too much, simply whisper: “The blood of my enemies, actually.”   💀 In Conclusion Highlighting may call upon moonlight, contour may sculpt shadow  but blush?Blush is the spark of the soul. It’s the laughter in your spell, the pulse in your potion, the secret to looking like you have a heartbeat and a secret. So go forth, you flushed and fabulous necromancer and may your cheeks always look like you’ve just been kissed by chaos itself. 🌹

  There are two kinds of witches in this world: those who glow like moonlight on tombstones, and those who claim they “prefer matte finishes.”  Highlighting or illumination magick, as we prefer to call it — is the art of summoning light where the shadows dare not tread. It’s the final blessing in your ritual, the beam of divine chaos that says: Yes, I am alive, and possibly part celestial being.   ✨ What Is Highlighting? In mortal terms: applying a lighter, reflective pigment to the high points of your face, cheekbones, nose bridge, cupid’s bow, brow bone, and anywhere you want the world to notice your otherworldly glow. Or calling upon the moon to personally sponsor your cheekbones. 🌙 How to Highlight Like You’ve Been Touched by the Divine (or Just Your Ring Light) Choose your weapon:Any if our pressed powder highlighters will dazzle and all are valid forms of devotion.If it catches the light and makes you gasp, it’s probably right. Placement matters:Focus on the high points, the places light naturally kisses.Unless, of course, you want to blind your enemies in direct sunlight. Then go wild. Also inner corners of the eyes for that spellbinding stare. Blend (a little):We’re not asking for subtlety, but we are asking for smoothness. Blend enough to look ethereal. Layer like a legend:One swipe whispers. Two swipes speak. Three swipes start a religion. 🕯️ When to Stop (You Won’t) If your reflection can be used to signal ships at sea, you’ve likely gone too far.But also who cares? If you want to gleam like you were forged in the tears of angels, do it. The world’s too dim for dull faces. In the End… Highlighting isn’t just about brightness , it’s about celebration. It’s the magick of declaring: I survived another day, and I’m glowing about it. So light your altar, grab your brush, and make the moon jealous. 🌕