6 Best Vegan Makeup Brands: Highlight Your beauty In 2024

Women (and men) have been using makeup for thousands of years as a form of self-expression. For me, doing my makeup isn’t just a way to look pretty; it’s an art form. It’s my silent message to the world telling them who I am. 

Don’t get me wrong – I have plenty of makeup-free days (it’s good for your skin). But when I’m “painting my face,” I like to go all out! 

As a vegan, this can be a bit difficult. Unfortunately, many of the top-selling makeup brands I’ve found in stores are non-vegan. They either contain animal by-products or are cruelly tested on captive animals. 

Over the years, I’ve done a lot of research and experimentation. I’ve searched far and wide for vegan, cruelty-free makeup. I’ve had some bad experiences, but I’ve also found some gems.

In today’s post, I’m going to show you some of my favorite vegan makeup brands, so you don’t have to go through all of the painful trial and error that I did! 

Top-Rated
ONLYBETTER Vegan Eyeshadow Palette
ONLYBETTER Vegan Eyeshadow Palette
  • Eyeshadow
Editor's Choice
HUDA BEAUTY #FauxFilter Foundation
HUDA BEAUTY #FauxFilter Foundation
  • Liquid foundation
Reader's Choice
The Lip Bar | Vegan Liquid Matte Lipstick
The Lip Bar | Vegan Liquid Matte Lipstick
  • Lipstick

What Major Makeup Brands Are Vegan? 

Ten years ago, vegan makeup was a specialty product and was fairly difficult to find outside of specialty retailers. Today, vegan makeup is all the rage.

Even companies that have been historically non-vegan have been slowly phasing out their old cosmetic lines for vegan-friendly alternatives. 

The market demand for cruelty-free, vegan makeup is huge. High-profile influencers and cosmetic brands like Kylie Jenner and Huda Beauty are pioneering the vegan cosmetic industry. As a result, more consumers are searching for high-quality vegan makeup! 

Here’s a brief list of some of the major makeup brands offering vegan makeup:

  • Kylie Cosmetics
  • Huda Beauty
  • The Lip Bar
  • Too Faced (reviewed here
  • Milani
  • NYX Cosmetics
  • Victoria Beckham Beauty
  • Thrive “Causemetics” 
  • Smashbox

Common Non-Vegan Ingredients Found In Makeup

Common Non-Vegan Ingredients Found In Makeup

Most people would flip if you told them that their favorite eyeliner or lipstick was made using the crushed remains of beetles or that their favorite primer was made with cow fat.

After I first went vegan and started learning what was actually in my makeup, I was disgusted by how many nasty animal by-products I was putting on my face. 

Here’s a brief list detailing some of the most common animal by-products used in non-vegan makeup: 

Non-Vegan Makeup AdditivesPurpose
Shellac (from crushed beetles)Adds shine and sheen 
Gelatin (from animal fat) Provides texture
Collagen (from animal skins)Anti-aging additive
Carmine (from crushed beetles)The red dye used in lipstick and eye shadow
Lanolin (from sheep’s wool)Moisturizing agent

Here’s a complete how-to guide to help you identify possible animal ingredients in your makeup:

Is Victoria Beckham Beauty Vegan? 

Victoria Beckham is an English singer, songwriter, and fashion icon. Aside from being one of the richest celebrities in England, though, she also owns one of the best-selling brands of cruelty-free vegan makeup! 

Although a small number of Victoria Beckham Beauty products contain animal by-products (most don’t), all of Victoria Beckham Beauty’s products are certified cruelty-free

Is Sephora Vegan-Friendly? 

Is Sephora Vegan-Friendly

Sephora is easily one of the most popular cosmetic retailers in the U.S. While Sephora sells over 340 different brands of cosmetics, around two-thirds of them are certified vegan and cruelty-free! 

The Best Vegan Makeup Brands & Products To Try This Year (2024)

The best vegan makeup brands are not only cruelty-free and animal-free, but many of them are better for your skin! After switching to high-quality vegan makeup, I immediately noticed that my skin was healthier and had a brighter, more natural glow. 

The trick is finding the right vegan beauty products… 

So, to make your life easier, here are the best vegan makeup brands and products that I’ve been using for the past couple of years! 

1) ONLYBETTER Plant Extracts Vegan Eyeshadow Palette (link)

Type: Eyeshadow

ONLYBETTER Plant Extracts Vegan Eyeshadow Palette is now the only eyeshadow palette that I use. Unlike many top-selling eyeshadows that use carmine and shellac, this palette is 100% vegan and cruelty-free! 

This palette uses colors and tones inspired by nature that compliments your natural skin tones. It includes sixteen different pigments that range from creamy-white to espresso brown and rust. Whether I’m feeling bright and happy or dark and mysterious, this palette goes both ways. 

Many of the pigments are made using all-natural plant extracts, such as primrose and sage. The synthetic ingredients that are used are all non-toxic and safe to apply to your skin. 

The best part? It’s 100% waterproof and sweat-resistant! Whether you’re breaking a sweat and dancing in the club or you get caught in a surprise sunshower, you won’t have to worry about your eyeshadow bleeding down your face. 

Last but not least, this is one of the most affordable vegan eyeshadow palettes that I’ve ever used! Given the quality, ONLYBETTER could easily charge a lot more for this product if they wanted to. 

What I Like About It:

  • Sixteen natural pigment tones. 
  • Waterproof and sweat-proof. 
  • Uses organic, plant-based pigments. 
  • Affordable. 
  • Non-toxic. 
  • 100% cruelty-free company. 

What’s Not-So-Great:

  • This palette doesn’t have any super-bright or super-colorful pigments. 

2) HUDA BEAUTY #FauxFilter Vegan Foundation (link)

Type: Liquid foundation

Huda Beauty’s products may be expensive… That being said, they are, without a doubt, some of the highest-quality cosmetics on the market.

Aside from Huda’s commitment to quality, the founder is also committed to keeping her brand 100% vegan and cruelty-free. So, no matter what Huda Beauty products you buy, you’ll never have to question if they’re vegan or not. 

Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Vegan Foundation is a high-quality foundation that’s designed to match your specific skin tone and provide a matching foundation to build on.

Simply select the closest foundation to your natural skin tone, and you’ll be good to go! 

It’s non-caking, non-clumping, waterproof, sweat-proof, and all of the above. Put simply, this foundation is “life-proof.” No matter what the day throws at you, you can always count on Huda Beauty’s foundation to make it through to the end of the day. 

What I Like About It:

  • Non-caking and non-clumping. 
  • Waterproof and sweat-proof. 
  • Gentle on your skin. 
  • 100% vegan, cruelty-free foundation. 
  • Humidity-proof. 
  • Won’t fade. 
  • Good skin tone matching. 

What’s Not-So-Great:

  • It’s expensive. 

3) The Lip Bar | Vegan Liquid Matte Vegan Lipstick (link)

Type: Lipstick

One of the biggest problems with mainstream lipstick is that many colors contain an animal-derived dye called carmine, that’s made from ground-up cochineal beetles.

Thankfully, every lipstick and lip gloss made by The Lip Bar is vegan and cruelty-free! 

The Lip Bar offers twelve different shades of their signature matte lipstick, ranging from light pink to dark brown and deep red. Whether you’re trying to make an impression or go for something a little bit more subtle, there’s a color designed just for you. 

The Lip Bar lipstick is high-quality, durable, and provides a long-lasting finish that lasts for up to eight hours, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying it every thirty minutes.

It’s moisture-resistant, kiss-proof, and has a deep color that won’t fade or clump as you go through your day. 

It also contains all-natural jojoba oil and vitamin E oil, which provide deep hydration for your lips! This was a major selling point for me, as many of the other vegan lipsticks I’ve tried tend to leave me with dry, cracked lips at the end of the day.

The only downside is that it can take up to twenty minutes to fully dry. During this time, it can transfer and stain. 

What I Like About It:

  • Rich colors. 
  • Kiss-proof. 
  • Contains hydrating jojoba and vitamin E oil. 
  • Non-clumping. 

What’s Not-So-Great:

  • Takes a while to fully dry. 

4) Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Vegan Primer (link)

Type: Primer

If you’re looking for a high-quality vegan primer that will reduce your pores and prevent makeup from clogging them up, then Smashbox “Photo Finish” Vegan Primer is the only primer you need! 

This ultra-light primer gives your skin a smooth finish and an even surface. So, when you layer your foundation and contour on afterward, it will apply flawlessly.

This means you won’t waste as much makeup or have to worry about it caking up around the edges of your face. 

One of the best things I’ve noticed about Smashbox primer is that it drastically reduces the size of my nose pores. I’ve always been a bit self-conscious about them, but when I apply a little bit of this primer on my face, my pores reduce by at least 50%! 

It may come in a small container, but trust me – a little bit goes a long way. I apply this primer almost daily and I only have to replace it once every two to three months. 

What I Like About It:

  • Ultra-fine finish and application. 
  • Reduces pore size. 
  • Protects your pores from getting clogged. 
  • Prevents your foundation from clumping. 
  • A little bit goes a long way. 

What’s Not-So-Great:

  • It’s rather expensive for a small container. 

5) Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Vegan Mascara (link)

Type: Mascara

Thrive Causemetics is a 100% vegan, cruelty-free cosmetic brand. The Liquid Lash Extensions is rich, deep-colored mascara that both hydrates your lashes and extends them.

This provides the appearance of having a lash extension without the expensive procedure. 

Thrive mascara is water-resistant and sweat-proof, so you don’t have to worry about it running. No matter how hot and sweaty I get, it stays on. I’ve even worked out in the gym with this mascara before! That being said, it easily comes off with a bit of face wash at the end of the day. 

What I Like About It:

  • Sweat-proof and water-resistant. 
  • Naturally extends your lashes. 
  • Hydrates your eyelashes. 
  • 100% vegan, cruelty-free mascara. 

What’s Not-So-Great:

  • It’s expensive. 

6) Milani Baked Vegan Powder Blush (link)

Type: Blush, rouge

I have naturally pale skin, so a touch of blush has always added a nice bit of color to my cheeks and contours. Milani Baked Powder Blush is a buildable blush that you can layer with contour and foundation to create the perfect finish. 

It’s a bit powdery to work with when you’re first applying it. Once it’s properly applied and blended into your skin, though, it has a smooth finish that won’t cake or clump. 

Milani offers several different vegan blush varieties. All of them have a matte base with a touch of shellac-free shimmer that adds to your natural contour and reflects natural lighting. Best of all, it’s affordable! 

What I Like About It:

  • Affordable. 
  • High-quality powder rouge. 
  • Blends smoothly with foundation and contour. 
  • Won’t clump or cake. 
  • Matte base with a slight shimmer.

What’s Not-So-Great:

  • The plastic casing feels a bit cheap to the touch. 

Conclusion – Do Your Part & Switch To Cruelty-Free Vegan Makeup! 

Do Your Part & Switch To Cruelty-Free Vegan Makeup

By switching to cruelty-free vegan makeup brands, you’re making a real difference.

You’re sending a clear message to global cosmetic companies that animal products and testing won’t be tolerated and aren’t desired by consumers. Before long, all cosmetics will be vegan and the world will be a happier place. 

If you’ve been searching for the perfect vegan mascara, check out last week’s post on the best vegan mascara brands here

Photo of author
Author Bio
Im Emma and I’m the creator of Vegan Calm. When I became a vegan seven years ago, I mainly did it for health and ethical reasons. To my surprise, it had another amazing benefit; I became a much calmer and peaceful person. This change inspired me to create Vegan Calm. Whether you’ve been a vegan for a long time or just want to learn more, this website will have something for you!

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