Five of the Best Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands
Here you’ll find some of our favorite cruelty-free make-ups brands, and some advice on how to find out if your beauty products are tested on animals.
One simple way to be kinder to animals is to choose cruelty-free make-up, and with more and more brands embracing a vegan-friendly stance, it’s easier than ever to find beauty products that align with the values you believe in.
Urban Decay
From their best-selling, signature Naked Eyeshadow Palettes, to their brightly colored Mega-Matt Lipsticks, Urban Decay is a leading luxury brand that doesn’t test on animals in any of their lines. They also have a continously expanding vegan section, which does not contain any animal-derived ingredients, such as beeswax or lanolin.
E.L.F. cosmetics
E.L.F. Cosmetics is one of the most-loved, budget-friendly makeup brands out there. It’s also 100 percent commited to being cruelty-free and vegan. They never use animal hair for any of their brushes or false eyelashes, and the brand refuses to use any products or ingredients that come from animals.
CoverGirl
In 2018, CoverGirl made a bold statement by announcing that they had gone officially cruelty-free, meaning that none of their products or ingredients were tested on animals. All of their products are now certified by Cruelty-Free International, meaning they have a logo by Leaping Bunny. They’ve also launched a vegan beauty line, Clean Fresh, so that you can be sure your cosmetics don’t have any animal-derived ingredients.
NYX
NYX is well-known for its high-quality, budget friendly products. As well as being completely cruelty-free, the brand also has plenty of vegan products, including eye shadow pallettes, lifting mascaras, finshing powders.
Bare Minerals
Bare Minerals is an award-winning, luxury make-up brand that don't test their products or ingredients on animals. They offer a range of clean, natural, mineral make-up, many of which are entirely vegan.
Why do companies test on animals?
Although very few cosmetic companies still test on animals inside the U.S. and the practice has been officially banned in the E.U., in China, it is mandatory by law for imported cosmetics to be tested on animals. This means that companies who choose to sell their products in China, are not cruelty-free.
Some brands claim to be cruelty-free, but include this clause in their policies: “except when required by law”. If they sell their products in China, this clause means they do test on animals.
How to find out if a brand is cruelty free
PETA’s “Beauty Without Bunnies” and the Leaping Bunny Program can let you know whether your beauty products are cruelty-free or not. It’s also worth reaching out to the companies directly, as consumer feedback can be hugely influencial when encouraging brands to make ethical decisions. .
Species Unite
A collection of stories of those who fight the good fight on behalf of animals.