For the past six years or so, I’ve been buying exclusively cruelty-free when it comes to makeup. Consequently, I’ve come to know what works, what doesn’t, and what I can’t live without, so I decided to share my favorites when it comes to cruelty-free makeup!
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz
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Honestly, if I could only pick one thing off this list, it’s this one. I know it’s been around and pretty well-known for a while, but if you haven’t tried it yet, I’m here to tell you it’s for a reason. This brow pencil is honestly amazing, and I’ve been using it since sophomore year of high school. I love how it has a thin tip, which makes it user-friendly and great if you’re a beginner, and how it has the spoolie on the other side. It’s the best brow pencil out there and it’s cruelty-free, so it’s a win-win!
- NYX HD Photogenic Concealer Wand
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I’ve used and repurchased this concealer for years, and it definitely gets the job done. Although I’ve tried some higher end options, I always seem to run out pretty quickly, making the $20+ I spent on the product unjustifiable to me. This concealer is cheap enough that I don’t worry about running out in a few weeks or every month or so!
- Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Rose Quartz
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I know a few years back everyone was raving about this highlighter in the color Champagne Pop, however, I love the Rose Quartz color. It’s a beautiful highlighter that’s a little more rosey, but not quite a rose gold. It looks gorgeous, and the quality of this highlighter is amazing. Honestly, it is a bit pricey, but if you’re like me and don’t run through highlighter quickly, it’s definitely worth the investment.
- ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
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I recently bought this mascara over winter break after trying and trying and retrying to make the Two Faced Better Than Sex Mascara work for me, and I absolutely love it. It won the Allure Best of Beauty in Clean Beauty award in 2019, so I decided to give it a shot. I love the formula and how it’s not super clumpy (an issue I had with the Two Faced mascara, because I’m personally not a fan of clumpy lashes). The bristles of the wand are in different arrangements and are different sizes, which I like so you can work the wand through your lashes in whichever way works best for you.
- Covergirl Clump Crusher Water Resistant Mascara
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I know what you’re thinking, Covergirl is cruelty-free?? Yes! Very recently, Covergirl became cruelty-free, and it’s great because now there’s another option at the drugstore to buy from! As I said earlier, I’m not a fan of clumps, and this mascara lives up to the name! I still currently use it for my lower lashes because I do still like it! My only problem is that sometimes it does rub off a little, so I hope they make a waterproof version soon!
- Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush
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I’ve only ever gotten the trial sizes of these, but they come in a bunch of different pretty colors and the pigment is great! The trial sizes have lasted me a while as well (although I don’t use blush too often, a little of this product goes a long way), so I’m sure the full size would be a good investment even if it is a little more expensive.
I know buying exclusively cruelty-free can limit your options, or seem expensive since a lot of drugstore brands test their products on animals. However, I hope in sharing this list with you, it opens your eyes to buying from more ethical brands, no matter where your budget lies!