Testing on animals has been a practice in the cosmetics world since the institution of makeup into the modern person’s daily routine. However, with years of testing on animals and discovering which formulas and materials can be safely applied to people’s skin, we are reaching a point in which we as a society no longer need to test cosmetics on animals. As a supporter of cruelty-free makeup brands, here are my top five companies with my favorite products for each. Hopefully, this will give you some ideas for a cruelty-free filled holiday.
e.l.f. Cosmetics
The brand e.l.f., or eyes lips face, is a rather low-end cosmetics brand that can be found in stores like Target. It is super affordable and is also entirely vegan and cruelty free! In a statement to the blog Cruelty Free Kitty, e.l.f. said, “We are proud to say that we do not test on animals or endorse such practices. We currently support PETA and are partners with PETA in the Caring Consumer Project.” From e.l.f., I love their many primers. I use their mineral primer, which does a great job of keeping my makeup in place and looking nice all day. And these products definitely will not break the bank.
Kat Von D Beauty
As a vegan and animal activist, Kat Von D has created an empire of creative beauty products that bring no harm to animals. A more middle-range makeup brand, Kat Von D Beauty has great products that are aimed at the more creative beauty gurus of the world. With very intricate designs for its packaging and quality formulas for their products, Kat Von D Beauty would be a great holiday gift. I, personally, love their Tattoo Liner.
Glossier
Glossier is a company started in 2014 by a former Vogue staffer named Emily Weiss. The company, at one point, had a weight list as long as 10,000 for two specific products. And they do not only make cruelty-free makeup, they also make skin care products. From Glossier, I use their essential skin care routine: the milky jelly cleanser, priming moisturizer and and balm dotcom. As someone who has struggled with chronic bacterial acne for years, adding these products to my daily skin care regimen drastically changed my skin, helping to make it clear yet still soft and hydrated.
ColourPop
ColourPop, like e.l.f., is a rather low-end cosmetics brand with quality formulas that do not harm animals. For Christmas, I actually bought my sister one of ColourPop’s Super Shock Highlighter in Lunch Money as well as two of their “lippie sticks.” For myself, I actually love their liquid lipsticks, which go for about six dollars. This brand is great for cheap yet quality stocking stuffers.
Jeffree Star Cosmetics
Jeffree Star, a MySpace celebrity that used their social media prowess to build a beauty empire, is definitely a controversial individual. However, I have always been a fan of Star’s cosmetics line. Not only is it vegan and cruelty free, but they genuinely are of great quality! My favorite highlighters and liquid matte lipsticks come from this brand. For example, the Velour Liquid Lipstick in Unicorn Blood is my go-to red matte and I am in love with the Skin Frost (highlighter) in the color Ice Cold. I have gotten so many compliments for both!
[Photos courtesy of Jeffree Star, e.l.f. cosmetics, Choose Cruelty Free, ColourPop, TeenVgn, Glossier, and Pinterest]