Roundup Of The Best Vegan Makeup Products To Try

Some of the common labels you now see on products are Green, Clean, Vegan, Organic, and Cruelty-Free. These can be confusing because although they all sound good, they mean very different things. So today I’m going over my roundup of the best vegan makeup beauty products to try.

There is a very strict understanding however that if a product is labeled “vegan” that it is free from any animal-derived ingredients like carmine, lanolin, honey, and beeswax. Also, something to keep in mind while shopping is that vegan and cruelty-free do not have the same meaning. Cruelty-Free means that the final product is not tested on animals but there can still be animal byproducts in the ingredients.

Vegan beauty products have come a long way in the last few years. Even though not vegetarian or vegan, people wanting to practice sustainable shopping habits and make eco-friendly choices, are looking for transparency in the ingredients used to make their favorite products. As well as in how the products they buy are manufactured and tested. As the demand for ethical beauty products grows, more and more brands are stepping up to fill that void. Either by creating all-new cosmetic brands or by reformulating existing lines to be vegan and cruelty-free.

Here is a list of my favorite high-quality vegan beauty brands and products out on the market now.

Best Vegan Makeup Products

Milk Makeup

Even though the name might be misleading Milk Makeup has been cruelty-free since day one, and as of 2018 is 100% vegan. Products to try are their light coverage tinted moisturizers. They are SPF 30 and moisturize with natural oil that leaves you with beautiful dewy skin. As well as their Lip + Cheek Sticks that give you a lovely creamy and sheer color.

Bite Beauty

Although their makeup line is expanding, Bite Beauty’s trademark is their beautiful, high pigment lipsticks, crayons, and stains. As of 202o, the brand is officially 100% vegan and gluten-free. They recently reformulated all of their products and removed all animal-derived ingredients and by-products from their entire collection. However, it should be noted that while everything in the range is vegan, not all the lipsticks at the custom Lip Labs are.

KVD Vegan Beauty

In my opinion, the Tattoo Eyeliner by KVD is the holy grail of smudge-proof liquid eyeliner. It provides a waterproof all-day long-wear that doesn’t flake, with opaque pigment that creates ultra-precise lines. Also noteworthy is the Lock-It Foundation. A full coverage foundation that comes in over 60 shades! With a shade range this large it would be a challenge to not find something to match your skin tone.

Lime Crime

This brand gets acknowledgment in the beauty community for its eccentric, vibrant, and colorful products. Their website offers categories in Hair, Lips, Eyes, Face, and Bundles. Lime Crime is 100% vegan and cruelty-free and is certified by PETA and The Leaping Bunny Program. You can shop for their products at Amazon, Ulta, and Nordstrom.

Farsali

Farsali is loved for their skincare meets makeup formulas. Although the line includes eye cream, gel-cream, and face mists most people know them for their high antioxidant serums/primers. They were a big hit with beauty bloggers and vloggers for the instant glow they provide. If you have oily skin, try Liquid Powder Oil Balancing Serum. As well as being 100% vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, Farsali’s products also contain no sulfates, phthalates, or parabens.

Urban Decay

At this time, not all of Urban Decay’s products are vegan. But they do have an ever-growing long list of vegan-friendly items. The products marked as vegan do not have any animal-derived ingredients in them. They are making an effort to convert more of their non-vegan beauty items into plant-based products, as long as they feel they can maintain the quality of the product. The Brand stopped testing on animals in 2014 and is now certified by The Leaping Bunny Program as cruelty-free. If beautiful shadows are your thing, check out the Naked Wild West Eyeshadow Palette with 12 desert-inspired neutral eyeshadows from pale peach and metallic bronze to deep blue-green and turquoise shimmer.

Hourglass Cosmetics

As of 2020 Hourglass Cosmetics is completely vegan. This luxury brand receives a lot of love for its complexion products like highlighters and bronzers. With them, you can easily create beautiful lit from within glow. Not to mention their high-tech formulas and stunning packaging is some of the best on the market. Check out the Ambient Lighting Blush Collection for radiant summer skin.

Pacifica

Pacifica has been vegan and cruelty-free from the start. Their product range includes natural skincare, nail polishes, hair care, bath products, cosmetics, and fragrance! It’s also a more affordable brand when you compare it to most of the others on this list. Pacifica is very feminine and dreamy with lovely packaging. Try the Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Mascara

Youth to the People

Youth to the People is a pro-grade skincare line that is not only vegan and cruelty-free but also adheres to the strict EU safety laws which are much more stringent than the US’s FDA laws. Their commitment to sustainability includes using glass jars for all their products and they say that they consciously source their vegan ingredients and verify that their supply chains do not negatively impact the environment or the people in the communities adjacent to the supply chains. The Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser and Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask with Vitamin C are 2 of their best sellers.

Herbivore Botanicals

Not only does Herbivore have scroll-stopping packaging, but it was also founded by a couple in their kitchen. Their products have no fillers or synthetic materials and are made with organic food-grade ingredients. Two popular masks to try are the Prism AHA + BHA Exfoliating Glow Facial, an intensive once-a-week exfoliating mask, and the Blue Tansy Mask which is more suitable for oily and blemish-prone skin types. Herbivore Botanicals concentrates on skincare, including body scrubs, cleansers, masks, mists, oils, and soaking salts.

Jeffree Star Cosmetics

Jeffree Star is a makeup artist that shot to fame on YouTube. He launched a vegan makeup line full of over the top colors and covetable textures. His Eyeshadows are fearlessly glamorous and are designed for the beauty lovers that like to take risks and have fun with their makeup. Jeffree Star Cosmetics is a cruelty free brand with PETA and Leaping Bunny certification. The brand only sells its products in regions where animal testing is not mandated for imported products.  Likewise, this brand does not commission a third party to do animal testing of its products on their behalf. 

Cover Fx

Cover FX has confirmed they do not test their products or ingredients on animals or ask others to test on their behalf. Their products are not sold in stores in mainland China or any other country that may require animal testing. It’s worth noting that on top of being vegan and cruelty-free, Cover Fx’s products are also gluten-free.

One of their products to try is the Monochromatic Lip Color. A richly pigmented liquid lipstick that delivers a soft matte finish with a velvety feel.

Looking Towards The Future Of Beauty

10 to 15 years ago vegan makeup options were pretty much limited to what was in the bath department of Whole Foods or your local health food store. There was zero chance of finding a product that matched your skin tone, or mascara that wouldn’t leave you with raccoon eyes within an hour or two.

It’s exciting to see how far the industry has come in the manufacturing of vegan beauty products. And the more that people demand transparency, accountability, and ethical products more brands will commit to becoming vegan and cruelty-free. We’ve come a long way but there’s still room to keep going!

If there are any brands or products that you think should be included on this list, let me know in the comments below!

Xx Monti