When purchasing makeup, you need to consider your skin tone and budget. Many shoppers are also looking for brands that are cruelty-free. Fortunately, if you start a search online, you can find high-end, cruelty-free makeup right now.
There are organizations, such as PETA and The Leaping Bunny Program, which help compile lists and approve companies that have proven to be cruelty-free in their practices. Let’s start digging around for the best options!
Too Faced
When asked if they test their products on animals, this PETA-certified brand declares adamantly: “No way, Too Faced loves animals! Our products are totally cruelty-free.”
Too Faced produces several trendy, well-reviewed products, particularly their minimalist Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette and semi-matte La Crème Color Drenched Lipsticks. They are proud to make their packaging pink and feminine, and the soft pinks and browns they use look absolutely delicious!
Kat Von D Beauty
The beautiful tattoo artist and television personality Kat Von D thrilled everyone when she came out with her own beauty product line. To everyone’s delight, all her products are cruelty-free. With a wide range of shades to fit any skin tone, products like the versatile Lock-It Cream Concealer and Serpentina Eyeshadow Palette have been a hit.
PETA stamped her products with their seal of approval, and in 2016, revealed that this beauty line was also going completely vegan!
Tarte
Tarte’s line of beauty products, with their lush purple packaging, are PETA-certified cruelty-free. With their headquarters in New York City and a commitment to philanthropy, purchases from this company contribute to a number of worthy causes, as well as to your personal beauty.
Their most popular products, which they brand as “eco-chic,” include the luminous Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer and Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara with provitamin B.
bareMinerals
bareMinerals is well-known for their organic, healthy ingredients, and cruelty-free practices. Their products are perfect for that natural look and come in an astonishing range of shades, making it even better that they don’t test on animals.
After operating for more than 35 years, this company has released several beloved products, from the lightweight Complexion Rescue moisturizer, to earthy Mineral Veil powder, to glowing Well-Rested Brightener.
Hourglass
Hourglass is unique because not only do they not test their products on animals, they also do not sell their products to countries where animal testing is rampant. Dedicated to cruelty-free and breakthrough formulas, they have many popular makeup and skincare products, all presented in sleek packaging.
Their Ambient Lighting Blush gives cheeks that perfect glow, and their Vanish Stick Foundation is silky smooth. They also have plenty of elegant lipsticks, such as their Velvet Crème Lipstick and Femme Nude Lip Stylo.
Urban Decay
This company’s website has a commitments page that goes one step beyond declaring they are cruelty-free: “We do not test our products on animals, nor do we allow others to test on our behalf. Additionally, we require our suppliers to certify that the raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are not tested on animals.”
One of their most popular products is the easy-to-spread Naked Skin Concealer. Unfortunately, it must be noted that they are a subsidiary of the L’Oreal cosmetics company – who are notably not cruelty-free.
BECCA
BECCA is dedicated to giving light to your complexion, finishing you with a gorgeous glow. After being purchased by Estée Lauder, there was concern that they would abandon their cruelty-free product development, but they assured that they will never happen. Their website notes: “BECCA is and will remain a cruelty-free company. We do not test our products on animals and we will continue to hold true to this principle.”
Devoted to skincare, some of their most popular products are their glowing Backlight Priming Filter, Color Correcting creams, and Mineral Blush.
Zoeva
The German cosmetics company Zoeva derives its name from the Greek word for “life” and Eva, a reference to the biblical story of the first woman Eve. The company assures its customers on their website that they do not perform any animal testing.
Zoeva is most well-known for their luxurious face and eye makeup tools. Their 105 Luxe Highlight and 109 Luxe Face Paint brushes have fine bristles, perfect for contouring and adding touches of highlight. They also have many sets of well-reviewed lip and eye color products.
100% Pure
Everyone has been raving about this organic cosmetics beauty firm, and their fruity and varied line of products that range from skin care, to bath and body, to hair care, and makeup too. Their colorful, artsy packaging is irresistible, and on top of that, they are also 100% cruelty-free!
Their makeup comes in flattering, vibrant colors, and also contains antioxidants and natural vitamins, as well as natural ingredients like pomegranate, blueberries, and even yerba mate and eucalyptus.
Suva Beauty
This Canadian-based, cruelty-free cosmetics company was developed by the popular YouTuber Shaina Azad. Her products, which range from eyeshadows, to bases, to brushes, have been reviewed by numerous professional makeup artists. They have been approved by Cruelty-Free Kitty, a popular source for information on companies and animal cruelty.
Suva Beauty’s eyeshadows and eyeliners are bright and brilliant, available in vibrant and neon colors that pop. Their popular and well-received Hydra Liner comes in both matte and chrome colors.
Milk Makeup
Although Milk Makeup has yet to be certified by PETA, their FAQ makes it clear that they “do not test [their] products or ingredients on animals and … do not retail in any country that requires animal testing.” This is excellent news since their holographic colors look immaculate.
Their eye pigments come in 11 icy shades, and their Ubame Mascara Luxe is made from ubame oak charcoal and sapphire dust. These unique ingredients create a must-have sparkling and bold look.
Bite
Bite Beauty is Leaping Bunny-certified and dedicated to making their products healthier and less synthetic than any other makeup brand. They even boast on their website that their products are handcrafted one at a time. Now there’s some dedication!
Their Multistick, Amuse Bouche lipsticks, and Matte Crème Lip Crayon contain the antioxidant resveratrol, as well as Manuka honey and organic fruit butters. They allow your lips to be hydrated, healthy, and pigmented with natural and bright colors.
Illamasqua
The beauty company Illamasqua has made their cruelty-free stance explicit in a statement on their website: “Our products have never and will never be tested on animals. We do not permit testing on animals and nor do we work with suppliers who are associated with the exercise.” They are also certified by PETA, and pointedly ask why any other company would engage in such practices.
Illamasqua’s Hollow Cream Pigment and powder blushes are popular products for contouring. Their full coverage Rich Liquid Foundation has also been a huge hit, with a slight matte finish that looks fantastic.
Marc Jacobs Beauty
Marc Jacobs Beauty’s products come in glossy black packaging that speaks of luxury and high quality. They have been researched and added to a cruelty-free brand list by Logical Harmony, a beauty and lifestyle source dedicated to cruelty-free products, after they changed their development practices to not test on animals.
Their Re(marc)able Foundation is perfect for full coverage. Another popular item is also their Magic Marc’er Precision Pen Eyeliner, which leaves lines as glossy black as their packaging.
Face Atelier
Face Atelier makes a point to only use ingredients that are essential to produce high quality makeup. They do not add any artificial scents, flavors, or SPF values, citing the American Academy of Dermatology’s advisement to avoid SPF labels. They are another Leaping Bunny-certified brand – cruelty-free!
Their best-selling product is lightweight and cake-free Ultra Foundation, which can be used for full coverage without a primer, and they offer an array of other foundations, blushes, and bronzers.