This is my FAVORITE Makeup Wars post of all time! Cruelty free – hooray! Unfortunately, it’s also one of the hardest – how can I pick my faves? There are too many! Well, here are 10 of my favorite “you must buy these immediately” kind of cruelty free products (i.e. “the ones I buy over and over again even though I get plenty of freebies from other brands and really don’t have to!”):
- OCC Lip Tar – Obviously a cult favorite – lip tars are amazing and there’s nothing else like them on the market! So highly pigmented and a ton of fun colors. You can also mix your own shades. (Vegan)
- Beautisol Summer Glow self tanner – When I’m feeling like I need to lose 10 lbs instantly, I put on my Beautisol Summer Glow self tanner – it works every time! It’s not stinky, doesn’t streak, doesn’t look orange, and it lasts about 5-6 days. Even though it’s called “dark” it’s not that dark unless you layer it over a few days, so don’t be scared to try it! (Vegan)
- Tarte Maracuja Rainforest Glow Instant Matte Waterproof Body Perfector – If I need a darker glow, or I don’t have time to let my Beautisol set, I use Tarte’s body bronzer. I love that it’s waterproof and goes on evenly – just rub it in, wash your hands and you’re done!
- DermOrganic Leave In Shine Therapy – My must have hair product – even while traveling. I can’t be without it! It smooths hair and adds shine. Keeps away the frizzies and makes my hair look healthy and smooth. (Vegan)
- It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye – Full coverage, waterproof, yet moisturizing, concealer with anti-aging ingredients to combat dark circles while it conceals. I use it under my eyes and on acne spots as well.
- It Cosmetics Brow Power – Universal brow pencil (works on all hair colors). I have tried many brow pencils and powders, but I always come back to this one.
- Too Faced Shadow Insurance – this is the primer I use to make my shadows brighter, bolder and long-lasting. A must have.
- NCLA nail polish – I love this brand and its Los Angeles fashion vibe! I’m currently loving their new North of Sunset collection, but there are tons of older collections to love too!
- Murad Clarifying Body Spray – The whole Murad acne care line is amazing, but I am especially in love with this spray – it allows me to treat my back – an area that typically gets neglected because I can’t reach! You can spray it from any angle – even upside down!
Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion- the perfect toner – gentle, but still does a great job of cleansing normal to oily skin. Removes pore clogging residue and disinfects skin’s surface for thoroughly clean skin to prevent future acne problems. Some may prefer witch hazel to alcohol, but try it before you make that assumption. It’s really very gentle and doesn’t dry out your skin. If you have very dry skin, try the Aloe Vera Toner or Aloe Vera Lotion.(NOTE: I just heard from a reader that Mario Badescu has a store in Shanghai, which would make 3rd party animal testing necessary. Until I hear otherwise, I will assume that they are NOT cruelty free. I’m very upset about this!
Whew! I’m sure I could come up with 10 more, but these are the ones that I tell all my friends and family about. The ones I use over and over, and the ones I’d highly recommend to you!
Check out what the other Makeup Wars beauty bloggers chose as their top cruelty free faves!
Such a detailed post! <3
I’ve tried OCC Lip Tars recently and their are awesome in terms of pigmentation and application, but the longetivity was a let-down for me. I think I’ll try Lime Crimes Velvetines lip colors since they’re vegan too. 🙂
TF Shadow Insurance was a let down too, I’m using Concrete Minerals Electric Eye Primer instead, and it’s amazing (also vegan too!).
Great list – I find your blog so helpful! Faye still uses products from companies I have boycotted, but I am determined to have a cruelty-free make up bag and find your posts some of the most helpful on the internet!
Eve x
Sugar Spun Sisters – A blog about cosmetics, clothes & coeliac disease
I should have added OCC lip tar to my list. I have been obsessed with it lately.
I need to try more NCLA polishes!
I totally should have included Too Faced Shadow Insurance! The BEST!
I really love Murad’s body spray when I break out on my shoulders from stress, etc. I can’t find it at sephora anymore!! Do you know where to buy it?
I’m always skeptical of a universal brow shade, but it sounds like a good one!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Mario Badescu! My go-to skin care line.
This is such a great list. It’s wonderful to see so many of my fave brands with excellent CF items!
I love me some Beautisol!! I will need it more now so I wont be so white in the winter!
Heck yah to Lip Tars. My favorite lippies ever!!
Ooooo has to be NCLA for me! Thanks for the list and thanks for sharing 🙂 xx
Awww…not Mario Badescu too! *sigh* That makes me really sad. I just bought their Special Glycolic Cleansing Lotion too.
When I read item 10 for Mario Badescue, I realized I had just read a blog on their site. See below.
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Skin Care Questions and Answers About cruelty_free
I am very interested in trying Mario Badescu products – However, I did not see anything on your site as to whether or not the products are tested on animals….Close Response
(asked by Lynsey W.)
At Mario Badescu, we use the finest ingredients in the formulation of our preparations since 1967. Mario Badescu does not test nor have we ever tested our products on animals. Our products are tested by our aestheticians and skin care consultants to ensure optimal product quality for our customers. We take this issue extremely seriously, and our committment is reflected on each and every page of skin care products in the No Animal Testing pledge in the lower left corner of the screen.
Categories: Product Information
Tags: all-natural | cruelty_free | no_animal_testing | safe_products
I don’t know how they can say they don’t test when they have a store in Shanghai China!
Yes, MB is sold in China. Here’s the url for reference: http://mariobadescu.net/
So disappointed.
Is there a good facial powder you recommend? I’ve been trying all kinds of cruely free products but so far they all turned out to be gunky. I use it after applying moisturizer so I’m not shiny all day. Do you know of anything that goes on smoothly and doesn’t create a “your face is full of powder” look?
Have you tried It Cosmetics or Youngblood?
Nope, are they any good? I don’t mind paying more for something of higher quality. I’m looking into Ecco Bella but I’m having trouble choosing the right color since it’s online. I’m pretty white, but I don’t always get the lightest color. I’ll look into It Cosmetics and Youngblood though – thanks for the recommendation. I still haven’t found a good one since I decided to move to cruelty free products so it’s been a while.
Do you have any suggestions for foundation? I have reeeeally pale skin and most stuff is too orange/yellow for me 🙁 I was thinking of trying Kat Von Ds foundations?
I’m currently using Urban Decay naked which is alright coverage and is the only foundation that doesn’t make me break out but the coverage on the oily parts of my face gets so weird? Like it gets patchy after a while 🙁 Illamasqua made me break out like crazy and was too heavy.
Ahhhhh it’s just really hard to find something half decent that matches all of my specifications (pale, cruelty free, doesn’t make me break out, preferably vegan, long lasting)