Top 5 Vegan Makeup Brands

There are certain diet trends that cross into other industries and begin to impact our overall lifestyle. Being vegan is a great example of diet and weight loss culture influencing every other facet of your routine, which is often what makes it so difficult for people to fully commit to being vegan. It’s one thing to stick to a vegan diet, but finding sustainable, cruelty-free, vegan products – particularly in cosmetics, can prove to be extremely challenging. If you have ever attempted to adopt a vegan makeup routine you’ve probably found yourself spending hours on the internet trying to decipher the difference between cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and true vegan products. Here’s the difference:

• If a brand identifies as vegan it means that they don’t use any animal ingredients at all in their products.
• If a brand is labeled as vegan-friendly it means that some of their products are vegan, but not all of them. 
• If a brand says they are cruelty-free it means that they don’t test their products on animals. 

Now that we’ve cleared up the confusion, you can see why it can get confusing and frustrating for those who are trying to adopt a fully vegan lifestyle. There’s much to appreciate about vegan beauty, especially because vegan makeup and skin care has come such a long way. Vegan makeup brands can deliver long wear, impressive pigment and a wide selection of colors, cosmetics and anti-aging products without involving animals at any point in the process. 

Almost every brand on the market now offers a vegan option, and the more reputable brands provide specific clarification on which products are vegan, vegan-friendly or just cruelty-free. If you are looking to switch your beauty routine to vegan only products, we’ve taken the guesswork out of the process for you and selected the top 5 vegan makeup brands to try out. 

1. KVD Vegan Beauty

Formerly known as Kat Von D Beauty, the brand has undergone an incredible makeover since the makeup artist left the company earlier this year. Their commitment to high-quality vegan formulas remains and the edgy packaging and bold colors continue to pay homage to Kat Von D’s history as a tattoo artist. The brand has been 100% vegan since 2010 and continues to innovate the space with high-quality products like the iconic Tattoo Liner and Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks, which are a must-have for bold looks that stand the test of time. 

2. Milk Makeup

Milk Makeup boasts an extensive line of products that have been cruelty-free since their launch, but they went completely vegan in 2019. Their philosophy is all about quick, fresh makeup with pops of color and cheeky product names. The packaging is gorgeous, the products are cool, and their ultra-hydrating formulas ensure a flawless finish every time. The products are designed for easy application, which means there are no makeup brushes required allowing you to look great without spending too much time getting ready. The OG Lip + Cheek Sticks are a great staple item to start with. 

3. E.L.F. Cosmetics

Good quality vegan products come with a price tag, but E.L.F. offers an impressive range of products at very affordable prices. They offer a full-service cosmetics line and have something to offer for everyone – classic BB creams and bold glitter eyeshadows, foundations, concealers, lipsticks, highlighters and more. The brand is currently 100% vegan across its entire line of makeup and skin care.

4. Lime Crime

Are you a fan of bright colors, fun packaging and lots of glitter? Then you have to try out Lime Crime. The unicorn inspired brand has been cruelty-free since its launch but made the switch to fully vegan in 2012. The Velvetines Liquid Lipsticks are a best-seller, and they were the first of its kind in 2008 – since then Lime Crime has continued to develop various products in beautiful colors that allow customers to create flashy and unique looks to express themselves. 

5. Summer Fridays

Summer Fridays was created by two influencers and became an Instagram sensation overnight. They are well known for their incredible masks and straightforward products that promise radiant skin. The brand is vegan, cruelty-free, plastic-free and has incredible branding. The shining star of their lineup is the Jet Lag Mask that promises dewy, moisturized skin in minutes, and the Vitamin C serum that is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. 

The beauty industry is following in the footsteps of other lifestyle brands that are beginning to offer products that are cruelty-free and vegan. Being conscious of animal-friendly products without sacrificing quality allows users to express themselves guilt-free. To stay up to date on beauty, weight loss, lifestyle and anti-aging trends and news we encourage you to follow our blog and visit out website for updates.