Hourglass Cosmetics is pushing vegan beauty a step further with the launch of Phantom Blur Balm Red 0, a plant-based alternative to carmine, the red pigment traditionally derived from crushed insects.

According to the brand, it is the first beauty company to develop a vegan replacement that delivers the same vibrant red payoff as conventional formulas. The move comes as part of the launch of its new Phantom Blur Balm collection, a lip product designed to combine the hydration of a balm with a soft-focus matte finish.

The innovation reflects growing demand for cruelty-free beauty products without compromising on colour performance, placing sustainability at the centre of Hourglass’ latest release.