Top 7 Cruelty Free Makeup Brands + Product Reviews

A few years ago there were slim pickings when it came to finding cruelty free and vegan products in the beauty industry. I’ll be honest I’m not vegan, so I don’t actively seek out vegan products, but it’s definitely a plus! Below I’ve listed 7 well known, high quality brands who have always been, or have since converted their products to be kind to animals.

1. Anastasia Beverly Hills

I like to think of Anastasia’s product line as the “accents” to your makeup. They don’t make “base” products. They sell eyeshadows, brow products, contour, highlight, lip products, etc. In my opinion, ABH makes some of the most blendable eyeshadows. The Modern Renaissance Palette is actually one of my favorites – I did a post on it and 3 other of my top eyeshadow palettes here. Their single pan eyeshadows are great quality and I can’t wait to add more to my collection. And just between you and me…I’ve heard rumors that a new palette is in the works!

ABH also produces some of the BEST eyebrow products, with the widest range of shades to complement everyone’s skin-tone [or hair-tone]. They have two different kinds of eyebrow pencils, Brow Wiz has a small precise tip for hairlike strokes, and the Brow Definer is triangle shaped which is great for filling in the body of the brow and shaping the tail. ABH also makes a Dip-Brow product that is quick and easy for shaping and filling brows, but it gives you a much more dramatic and sculpted look. Dip-Brow acts as a brow filler and gel – so it holds your brows in place all day once it dries. In addition their brow gel is fantastic – one swipe and you’re good to go.

Lastly, Anastasia Beverly Hills makes beautiful matte liquid lipsticks. They glide on, stay put and have great pigmentation. I have a few of them and I can always count on them to look good.

2. Kat Von D Beauty

Kat Von D Beauty is a makeup line made by tattoo artist Kat Von D. The products are great quality while being average priced [for a high end brand]. I don’t personally like ALL her products, but the majority of them are very well made. The main reason I feel that way is because many of her products are geared toward the highly pigmented, dramatic look, and that’s not my style.

Her Everlasting liquid lipsticks are extremely long-wearing and matte. Because of that, they tend to be drying and will accentuate your lip texture. [This is me recommending you exfoliate your lips beforehand.] The Studded Kiss Creme matte lipsticks are also dry and somewhat chalky, making them a little harder to work with.

My absolute favorite liquid eyeliner is the Tattoo Liner in “Trooper”. Previously I used this Stila one, but I switched after trying this liner [it stays put like the same suggests]. I have yet to find anything else that gives me a perfect wing. It is a brush tip, so even if you think you prefer a sponge tip, I recommend you give this a try! I also use her Shade + Light contour palette, which includes a wonderful yellow powder for brightening the under eye, and a great universal shade to contour the cheekbones. The middle shade works as a bronzer as well. It’s a perfect palette for travel!

3. Marc Jacobs Beauty

I own a variety of products from Marc Jacobs Beauty. The first is an eyeshadow palette, the Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette – a range of purples from the first launch of their slim palettes. They’re beautifully pigmented and blend well. It’s a mix of mattes and shimmers/glitters that you can use entirely on their own, or add as pops of color to your look.

The next is a limited edition shade of their lipsticks in a beautiful pinky-peach shade. It’s the perfect “my lips but better” shade. I love the formula and will be purchasing more from the range. For those wondering, the lipstick line is called Le Marc Lip Creme. Finally, I’ve tried their Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in black. This is a great eyeliner for smudging to achieve that ideal smokey eye.

4. Becca

Becca tops the charts when it comes to highlighters. This luxurious, lightweight, and buttery formula glides on your cheekbones, giving you a beautiful glow [or strobe depending on your preference]. “Champagne Pop” is one of my favorites, though “Opal” is the original standout that increased their fame. They’ve continued to grow more and more; currently they have a few primers tailored to different skin types [or the effect you’re trying to achieve, be it matte or dewy.]  Make sure to check out Becca’s products, as well as their Ultimate Coverage foundation if you’re seeking that elevated dewy look.

5. Bite Beauty

My absolute favorite lip products are by Bite Beauty. Every one of their products comes from their Canadian facility and only the finest natural, good-for-you ingredients are added. They’re oh-so creamy and moisturizing while still staying put. In the midst of all the matte liquid lips that are so drying and accentuate the creases in your lips [unless you have perfectly filled Kylie Jenner lips], these give back all the moisture your lips deserve. The Liquified lipsticks are the most pigmented and wearable colors I’ve ever seen in a brand’s line. Some of my favorite colors are “Éclair”, “Purée”, and “Flambé”. Their Amuse Bouche lipsticks [a traditional lipstick] are beautiful and smooth. If you’d like to read up on the founder of Bite and the story behind this brand’s skyrocketing popularity, I’ll link it here.

6. Natasha Denona

I don’t currently own any of the Natasha Denona palettes or eyeshadows, but I’ve tried them out and the color payoff is INSANE. I don’t think you can fully comprehend how pigmented they are until you see and feel for yourself. Hurry into a Sephora that carries them and get to swatching them yourself! The Lila palette and the 28 Green-Brown palette are on my wish list. [If I can ever get past the ridiculous price point!]

7. Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury Air Brush Flawless Finish Powder is such a favorite. It blurs and smooths the skin giving that air brushed look – as the name suggests. I haven’t tried any other products, but she produces some beautiful and feminine shades of lipstick that I have on my wishlist. Charlotte also makes some lovely blush shades. The most recent release is a eyeshadow palette with 4 grouped looks for different occasions. From what I’ve heard, you can’t go wrong with most of her products.

So there you have it! 7 Cruelty Free & Vegan Beauty Brands to add to your collection. All of these brands make quality products, so I’m 100% comfortable recommending them to y’all. I wouldn’t ever want to steer you wrong!

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