The Best Vegan Makeup

Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener

Guilt-free glimmer

Wake up your eyes with this shimmery shade.

Best Eye Brightener

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Didn’t get as much sleep as you hoped? No problem. Reach for Thrive Causmetics’ Brilliant Eye Brightener to look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in no time. This highlighter is a cream-to-powder form that’s available in ten different shades, so virtually everyone will be able to light up their beautiful peepers. This brightener is waterproof and safe for those who wear contacts, which is a major bonus. It is also vegan and cruelty-free and is free of synthetic fragrance, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.

Pros:

• Hydrating ingredients such as macadamia seed oil
• Brings some sparkle back to tired eyes
• Available in 10 different shades

Cons:

• Stick can have a chalky finish, so blending is important

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara

Give those lashes some lift

Let your eyes do the talking with this cruelty-free mascara.

Best Mascara

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For the look of lash extensions without the hassle and price tag, get yourself this mascara from Thrive Causemetics. It’s formulated to be free of clumps and smudging for all-day wear that looks great from morning until night. The Orchid Cell Complex in this mascara helps to support healthier-looking lashes, and the technology of the tube keeps the mascara fresh so it can lengthen your lashes until the last swipe. And when it comes time to take this mascara off, all you need is a washcloth and warm water. There is no need to use soap or eye makeup remover.

Pros:

• Gives the appearance of fake lashes
• Uses plant stem cell technology to support healthier-looking lashes
• Only requires one coat

Cons:

• As with many long-wear mascaras, some flaking may occur

Lifus Highlighter Makeup Palette

Glow, baby, glow

Bring out your natural beauty with these four shimmering shades.

Best Highlighter

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Want to literally glow? If your answer is “yes,” we suggest you get this vegan highlighter palette from Lifus. The buildable powder formula allows you to go easy on the glow or go full-on glam with ease. It comes with four different shimmering powders that leave a smooth and silky finish on your face. It is waterproof and looks great on all skin tones. The size of this palette is perfect for travel, so you can glow no matter where you go.

Pros:

• Works for both face and body
• Buildable, natural-looking glow
• Long-lasting formula

Cons:

• Colors are hard to spread

Covergirl Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation

A fresh face

This light foundation feels every bit as good as it looks.

Best Foundation

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With a cruelty-free formula free of formaldehyde, phthalates, parabens, sulfates, and talc, you will feel naked wearing this foundation. Well, naked and hydrated, thanks to the moisturizing coconut milk and soothing aloe extract. The coverage is light, though the formula builds well if you want a bit more. Because of its lightweight formula, it works well for all skin types and comes in 14 different shades so you can best match your skin to give it a healthy, natural look.

Pros:

• Lightweight foundation with buildable coverage
• Contains coconut and aloe for hydration
• Choose from 14 different shades

Cons:

• We wish it lasted longer without having to add setting powder

Aesthetica Cosmetics Beauty Sponge Blender

For flawless application

Use this cruelty-free staple to apply your favorite vegan cosmetics.

Best Beauty Sponge

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Our makeup may be great, but all our efforts are in vain if we don’t apply it the right way. Application is key to getting the look you’re after, so you want to make sure you have the right applicator. That’s where this Aesthetica beauty sponge blender comes in. It is made from non-latex foam and is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. It is easy to use and easy to clean, so what’s not to love? It is versatile as well and can be used either wet or dry, depending on your preference.

Pros:

• Made of non-latex foam
• Easy to clean
• Works both wet and dry

Cons:

• Absorbs a lot of product when used dry

Frequently Asked Questions

What defines makeup as “vegan?”
A vegan makeup product is free of any and all animal ingredients and animal-derived ingredients, including beeswax, honey, collagen, lanolin, albumen, carmine, cholesterol, gelatin, and more.

Are vegan and cruelty-free the same?
No, they are two different things. Vegan means that it does not have any animal ingredients or any animal-derived ingredients. And cruelty-free means that the ingredients may have been tested on animals, but the product itself has not.

Is vegan makeup better for your skin?
Many people with sensitive skin find that vegan products work better for them because they have fewer ingredients. They also tend to have more natural ingredients instead of synthetic ones that can increase the chances of dry skin, acne, rashes, and other skin issues.