I’m a big fan of good quality, but affordable makeup. I have a decent little collection of nail polishes, eyeliners, and eyeshadow, even though I don’t wear much on a daily basis. One of the essentials for me when shopping for makeup is if it’s cruelty-free. Too many makeup brands continue to test on animals, even though it’s really not necessary. The other must-have for me is if the makeup uses good, natural ingredients. Makeup is going right on my skin, so I don’t want artificial junk. Here’s a list of cruelty-free, high-quality makeup that won’t break the bank:
Physician’s Formula
While some of the products in this brand have talc or “fragrance,” most of this brand is paraben-free. Their focus is makeup that works for those who have allergic reactions to makeup, especially around the eyes. I’ve had trouble with mascara for this reason, but Physician’s Formula has worked really well. You can get the makeup on Amazon. They sell trios of eyeliners like Nude and Smoky, for $12 a set. Their mascara is $10.
Pacifica
All vegan makeup at a really good price. All the products are cruelty-free, vegan, and gluten-free. They have a wide variety of products ranging from nail polish, eyeliners, eyeshadow, lotions, perfume, and candles. I have their Indian Coconut Nectar perfume, which is a gorgeous, clean scent that isn’t overpowering. If you aren’t sure about a scent, they have $12 roll-ons in addition to the 29 mL bottles, which cost $22. Lipstick is $10 a pop, while eyeliners are $11.
The Best Cruelty-Free Quality Makeup
Wet ‘n Wild
Wet ‘n Wild is committed to being cruelty-free, and many of the products are vegan, too. One of the cheapest brands you can find just about anywhere, the eyeshadows and lipsticks are the best product. Lipsticks are really cheap at around $2. Since they are so affordable, some products are hit or miss, so look up what people are saying about something before you buy it. Apparently, the liquid eyeliners aren’t great.
Ecco Bella
The most expensive brand on this list, Ecco Bella is for those who take their makeup seriously, and don’t trust lipsticks that cost under $10. Cruelty-free and devoted to toxin and chemical-free ingredients, Ecco Bella has lipsticks in lots of sophisticated shades in their FlowerColor line like Claret Rose, Peach Rose, and Sangria. One tube costs around $21 before shipping. Eyeliners cost about $20. Ecco Bella also sells perfume, shampoo and conditioner, and skincare products.
Everyday Minerals
Another 100% vegan makeup line, this brand sells $6 tinted lip balms ranging from light to dark, and $10 eyeshadows in tons of colors for both the bold and the understated. You can even customize your own makeup kit and get free samples. Their site also includes a useful tutorial to create your perfect day or night look and advice on what kind of makeup to get based on your skin type.
How you can tell if a brand is cruelty-free
If you’re wondering if a certain brand is cruelty-free, look for a little “Leaping Bunny” certification, which is the international certification for products that are cruelty-free. You can also go online to a website like PETA and do a search to see what brands do not test on animals. If a whole makeup brand is vegan, they will probably label it, but to find out if a specific product is vegan or not, look online. You can also look at the ingredient list and if you see stuff like “collagen,” “casein,” “glycerin,” and “lanolin,” it’s not vegan.
