Vegan makeup reviewed
I'll be adding to this article, as-and-when, I buy and review new products - last updated in December 2020
Why I want to use cruelty-free AND vegan cosmetics
Our skin is the largest organ we have and what we put on it should matter! This thinking didn't sink in with me straight away!
After I began feeling uncomfortable about, putting something that caused others to suffer, on my skin; I started looking into alternatives.
I started buying a range of vegan products from different companies to figure out which ones I preferred.
I also explored what to do with the non-vegan makeup that I owned already. You can read about that here.
Why isn't cruelty-free enough?
Cruelty-free products have not been manufactured or developed by methods involving cruelty to animals.
Vegan products, however, do not contain animal products.
So cosmetics can be:-
cruelty-free and not vegan
vegan and not-cruelty-free
vegan and cruelty-free
I prefer to buy vegan makeup which is also cruelty-free. Which of the above feels right for you?
Out of all the cream foundations I’ve tried, I’ve found this one to be the best!
It absorbs easily, it creates a smooth finish, it looks natural and it’s matte to touch. Also, it doesn’t leave my skin feeling heavy or looking cakey.
Lastly, it continues to look and feel this way for a good few hours.
They have some vegan products.
This complexion rescue hydrating foundation stick was given to me by a friend.
I’ve not used a foundation stick before and found it pretty interesting to use.
I dabbed it on my face and then rubbed it in. It was easy to apply, I didn’t need much of it and it lasted throughout the day, without going cakey.
They have some vegan products.
I got a couple of these Powder Puff Lippies from Superdrug and I’m really glad that I took a punt to try them out.
The colour (in the link above) is neutral yet noticeable. It goes on smooth and moist but, as it says on the box, it dries producing a powdery-soft finish.
At first, it was a bit strange to squeeze the tube and apply it across my lips, but after the first attempt, it was effortless.
They have some vegan products.
If you’ve been following this article, you’ll see that I like trying out new lipsticks and have tried a few different brands and styles of lippy.
I got this matt lipstick by GOSH, which is described as having a creamy texture. However, I am disappointed to say that it is far from it. It’s dry and I had to press down quite hard in order for the colour to show on my lips. This isn’t because the shade is wrong, it’s due to the fact that it doesn’t apply well. It left my lips looking dry and the colour didn’t ‘fill’ the lips evenly, like other lipsticks do.
They have some vegan products
I got a couple of the Pacifica XOX range from Holland and Barrett recently and I’m sorry to say that it hasn’t worked well for me.
The colour is lovely, it’s easy to apply, feels smooth on the skin and feels moisturising. However, it bleeds. I tried it with and without lip liner but it didn’t make a difference.
All their products are vegan and cruelty free
MUA makeup academy
I got this lipstick from Superdrug because there was a gorgeous deep brown lipstick that I used to wear years ago. It suited me really well but got discontinued. I was hoping that this one would be close to it.
It suits me best when I mix it with another colour. However, I didn’t realise that it was a matte lipstick, which is too dry for my lips. I rectify that by using a creamy lipstick underneath.
All their products are vegan
e.l.f. eyes lips face in Superdrug
This Day to Night Lipstick Duo is gorgeous!
You don’t need to press hard when applying it. It feels soft and smooth and almost as if it’s nourishing your lips, whilst colouring them.
The colour I bought is called The Best Berries and I’ve been using it every day for the last couple of days.
All their products are vegan
The Beautifully Bare Lipstick is so lovely to wear.
It's smooth, nourishing, soft, smells good and gives your lips colour without exposing any cracks, or drying them out.
I purchased the colour shown on the left - Touch Of Blush and am going to be getting some more!
There are more colours available on e.l.f’s website.
All their products are vegan
These Matte Lip Colour 'pencils' create a lovely look, but feel good too. Similar to the lipstick above, it's smooth and feels nourishing. It also leaves your lips looking vibrant and healthy.
The pencil twists up from the bottom, and that's where you'll find a sharpener! Simply tug on the base, holding the part that shows the colour of the pencil, and you'll see it. It's easy to pull out and put back.
All their products are vegan
e.l.f. eyes lips face before their products were sold in Superdrug
The Essential Waterproof Eyeliner Pen is easy to apply and it lasted the whole afternoon and evening.
Saying that; it wasn't tough to remove, so that was great too!
All their products are vegan
The Expert Liquid Liner was lovely.
I'm used to applying eyeliner with a brush of some sort, so using this felt better.
I could also make the line thicker more quickly, than when I used the pen.
All their products are vegan
The Essential Lip Balm Tint is great, because it's small, so it can fit in your pocket or bag. It also has a lid, which screws on, so there won't be any mess and it's available in a range of colours.
It produces a nice colour and feels good on the lips, but I wouldn't buy it again, because I didn't like applying it with my finger, nor do I want to carry a brush to avoid doing that.
All their products are vegan
It feels strange to be so keen on lipliner as I haven't bothered to use lipliner before. I got it because I was told that the Lip Tar need a lipliner to stop it from bleeding/feathering. Although I later found out that it was because I used too much!
Anyway, I got the Essential Long-Wear Lip Lipliner Pencil and absolutely love the subtle yet noticeable definition that I get with it! It's easy to apply, it doesn't crumble, it feels smooth and you don't need very much.
All their products are vegan
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
I used the 3 in 1 mascara today and liked what I discovered. Both parts of the brush are great for defining different parts of the eyelashes.
My eyes felt so light afterwards, that I forgot I had any mascara on, and I rubbed my eyes. However, that worked out just fine, because as a result, I realised that the mascara doesn't smudge or leave marks if you rub your eyes by mistake!
All their products are vegan
I have used this lip stain without using the glossy coat on top and the colour is stunning.
Unlike other types of lip stain, you can go over the colour that you've already applied and layer it up, without the colour becoming uneven.
It's light, smooth and dries quickly. If only e.l.f. had more colours in this range.
All their products are vegan
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics OCC
I got a few colours of lip tar and I really can't imagine when they'll need replacing. Why? One little tube will last forever because you really do, only need a tiny bit.
A small amount of lip tar produces a strong, vibrant colour which lasts for ages!
Make sure you don't use too much because it will feather/bleed. I must admit that I haven't got the hang of doing this right yet!
All their products are vegan
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
If you have dry lips, it's worth getting the clear lip tar.
Applying it to your lips before using the actual colour will help.
It makes all the difference to application and makes the effect much better too.
All their products are vegan
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
If you buy a Lip Tar and the colour appears much lighter than it should be, it's no biggie. There's a high concentration of oils and pigments in them, and they separate sometimes. OCC told me to rub the tube back and forth between the palm of my hands. The friction and heat will cause them to mix again, so that the oils aren't at the tip; preventing an oily transparent colour. I did this for about 20 seconds or less, and it was fixed!
Since writing this article OCC has closed
B. is for Beautiful
This lipstick is fun, striking and stunning!
It’s another one from Superdrug’s fully vegan range. It’s a matte lipstick, but unlike others, your lips aren’t left looking or feeling dry.
It goes on smooth and feels soft on the lips. Unlike other matte lipsticks, it doesn’t require pressure when applying it.
The colour is called Risky Business and it’s probably the brightest colour I have. I love wearing it!
All their products are vegan
It’s part of Superdrug’s vegan range, which is great in itself!
It’s a matte lipstick, which I like, and the colour, Merlot, is bold without being too ‘in your face’
It’s also smooth and soft on application, unlike other matte lipsticks, which can make lips look and feel dry.
All their products are vegan
I love the colours in the Complete Long-lasting Nail Polish range.
The bottles are short, wide and the shape makes them easy to organise.
The colours are gorgeous and they last for days, even when subjected to tasks like chopping, washing-up etc. They also don't stain the nails and the colour is easily removed.
All their products are vegan
Unfortunately, they have stopped selling nail polish
I like that the Rich Intense Colour Lipstick opens with a gentle push on the base of the lipstick.
The lipsticks are soft and creamy so it feels nourishing.
The colours I got were quite 'natural,' so it’s hard to see how long the colour lasts. I'll add more to this review after I've purchased a couple of bolder colours.
All their products are vegan
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
This Mascara is lovely to use.
The brush makes it easy to apply.
My lashes don't feel heavy afterwards and it doesn't get clumpy either.
All their products are vegan
Marks and Spencer
The Ultimate Wear Long Lasting Lip Lacquer is gorgeous.
The brush makes the application smooth and it retains its shape. Also, it's a great size and won't use much space in a handbag. Lastly, there's a range of colours. The colour I got was bold and long-lasting.
They have some vegan products
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
The Ultimate Shine Twist Up Lip Colour is something I'd wear if I was going partying. This is because I don't usually wear lipsticks that create a glittery effect.
It is soft and feels nice on the lips.
It's easy to apply and will easily fit into a pocket or bag.
They have some vegan products
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
I found that I had to repeatedly apply the more natural colours of the Matte Velvet Lipstick to get any colour on my lips.
However, this is not so with the darker colour I purchased. That was quick and easy to apply and feel smooth on the lips.
They have some vegan products
This dual eyeshadow by Arbonne is lovely to use. It’s light, which means the eyes don’t feel heavy.
I found that it didn’t crumble and wasn’t messy, which was great.
Lastly, I didn’t need a lot of it to create a subtle impact.
All their products are vegan
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
I blended two of the shades to find one that suited my complexion best. Mixing and applying was effortless.
It felt natural. The cream feels smooth, provides even coverage and feels light.
'The look' lasted the entire evening.
All their products are vegan
Applying this mascara was simple and easy, but the effect was stunning. My eyelashes were defined, clump-free, and they felt light.
I like the fact that it is waterproof, yet easily removed with a little cleanser.
All their products are vegan
Related content
The Vegan Society: Do you really know what’s in your makeup?
Plantbased News: 14 non-vegan ingredients to look out for in makeup and beauty products
Flawless Lashes: What do the public really know about animal by-products in makeup?
Cruelty-Free Kitty: The Ultimate Guide To Cruelty-Free Makeup
Other types of cosmetics
Reviews of skin care products that I’ve used
Reviews of vegan haircare
Different types of vegan deodorants, reviewed
Vegan makeup reviewed
Do you want to use any of these on your skin or hair?
Carmine - from powdered insect bodies
Collagen - protein from the collagen of dead animals
Guanine - fish scales that are scraped off dead fish
Keratin - protein from the hair, nails and horns of mammals
Lanolin - fat that's derived from the grease in a sheep’s hair
Squalane - sourced by squeezing oil from the liver of a shark
If not, you know what to do.