What’s in Vegan Actress and Entrepreneur Daniella Monet’s Beauty Bag?

After a visit to a dude ranch with her family, actress Daniella Monet—who appeared on Nickelodeon’s hit series Zoey 101 and Victorious—began connecting what was on her dinner plate to the various animals used at the rodeo. Since then, Monet has devoted her life to her biggest passion: veganism. Now, the 33-year-old mom of two not only advocates for a plant-based lifestyle to her more than 4.3 million Instagram followers, but is an avid investor of eco-conscious brands, the founder of her own ethical lifestyle app, and the co-founder of clean beauty subscription box Kinder Beauty. Beauty Editor Aruka Sanchir sat down with Monet to talk about everything beauty, veganism, and what exactly her glowing-from-within skincare routine looks like. 

Daniella Monet

Morning routine

After a morning yoga class, I start my day with a coffee smoothie. I blend together a superfood powder, black coffee, nut butter, banana, a date, ice, and almond milk—it is so incredible. For my morning skincare, I usually go in with a vitamin C serum and the Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream as a daily moisturizer, but if my face is feeling sensitive or if I have breakouts, I like the OSEA Blemish Balm to wake my skin up. And since I have normal to dry skin, I’m big on hydration, so I’m always drinking water.

All-day beauty regimen

I’m a huge concealer fan, and always have been since I was young. I love that bright and awake look and feel like that resonates a lot with my personality, so I’ve been using Ariana Grande’s r.e.m beauty Sweetener Concealer (I have to support my girl!). I’m so happy with it—it covers really well but it’s not thick like most other concealers. I then use a W3LL People Supernatural Stick Bronzer and finish with a lip balm—Summer Fridays is my go-to right now. 

Night routine

I remove everything using reusable cotton rounds with my toner and a good face oil. I usually jump into the shower after that to remove everything else with water—I don’t use any harsh cleansers. When I get out, I hydrate my body with the Dirty Lamb Apricot Cleansing Oil and put on eye cream, serum, and moisturizer. I usually try to stay away from anything soapy that dries my skin out. 

Daniella Monet

The one product I can’t live without

When I was pregnant, I took this yoga class, and at the end, we would use this Kiki Kreme on our bellies. It is one of the cleanest-ingredient products you can find (think organic shea, mango, and cocoa butter), and you can use it on absolutely anyone. It’s fairly expensive, so it’s not the most accessible option, but it’s a massive jar that lasts forever. I use it everywhere for hydration, but it’s also great for healing so if your kid gets a boo-boo, you can use it on that, too.

How to overhaul your routine

Part ways with the products you have, and give yourself the opportunity to start fresh. Go in with the mindset of simplifying—that’s my approach. I really like going back to the basics and focusing on understanding the ingredients. Once you have a better understanding of what cruelty-free means, why vegan is better, and which ingredients are and are not vegan—all those things help a lot moving forward.

On going vegan

It may not be as easy as you’d like. There will be change, but it’s the most beautiful change you can do for yourself. We’re all very self-centric in a lot of ways. Even though we really aspire to do good for others and the planet, we do think of ourselves first and foremost, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Because if we didn’t, we wouldn’t have the ability to give back.

“For me, veganism is the biggest testament to doing something incredible for myself. I’m a mom of two now, and the only thing I care about is being 100 percent healthy and able for them—it’s different now. We have to do good for ourselves so that we’re there for others, and then the impact we make on the lives of animals and the environment is huge, too.” —Daniella Monet