I've been cruelty free since 2014 and I like to think I've done my fair share of dabbling with different brands who don't test on animals. I'm sorry, but my favorites aren't indie brands or crazy secrets. They're pretty popular and well known, but hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, you know? These are the brands that perform best for me. After so many years of trying probably every brand, these are the ones I keep going back to.
I narrowed it down to my favorite skincare brands, my favorite face brands, and my favorite eye brands. "Favorite" meaning the brands I repurchase again and again, nearly always try their new products, and find myself using almost every day. But before we get into it all, let's get the disclaimer out of that way:
I narrowed it down to my favorite skincare brands, my favorite face brands, and my favorite eye brands. "Favorite" meaning the brands I repurchase again and again, nearly always try their new products, and find myself using almost every day. But before we get into it all, let's get the disclaimer out of that way:
Disclaimer: My criteria for cruelty free is as follows: the brand cannot sell in China (unless they bypass the requirement to test on animals by only selling online) and the brand cannot have a third party test on animals for them. The brand can, however, be owned by a not-cruelty free brand (if you trace everything back, almost everything is owned by the same handful of companies, so, unfortunately, it's almost impossible to not buy something with a parent company that tests on animals).
Now that we've gotten that little disclaimer out of the way, here are my favorite cruelty free brands.
Now that we've gotten that little disclaimer out of the way, here are my favorite cruelty free brands.
Face Products
Becca Cosmetics
No surprise here, right? I love a glowy look, and Becca knows how to deliver in that department. They make my favorite foundation and my favorite highlight (everyone's favorite highlight), and every time I walk into Ulta or Sephora, I swatch practically their entire collection. Their stuff is just so gorgeous. Besides the looks, though, their products deliver: they wear well, last long, and blend easily. Find me in their highlighter more often than not.
tarte
tarte was my first makeup love and probably my strongest. Granted, their eye products (besides their 4-in-1 mascara) are boring and their formulas aren't amazing, their face products are the complete opposite. Their Park Ave Princess is one of my Holy Grail products, and their blushes are some of the best. I don't think I'll ever stop loving tarte as a brand.
wet n wild
This is one of the most affordable brands, and its quality is so freaking good. Have you tried a wet n wild highlighter? You should. What about their cream products? Or their primers? Like the higher end cosmetics mentioned above, wet n wild's products have an awesome wear time and blend flawlessly with everything I've ever put on my face. If you're still overlooking them, do yourself a favor, spend $4 on something at Target, and get on board.
Eye palettes
Lorac
I feel like people either love or hate Lorac, and I'm one of the people that love them. I've never been disappointed with their eyeshadows. The formulas blend well, the pigment is amazing, and the color selection is never disappointing. Granted, some of their shimmer shades have fallout, but that's an easy fix. I hit pan on almost every palette of theirs I own, and I'm completely okay with that. I'll buy them forever.
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Honestly, I feel about ABH palettes the way I do about the Lorac ones. The formula, the colors, their ability to blend, is all exactly what I look for. I know I don't need to sell these to you. Modern Renaissance sells itself. Just try them if you haven't.
Skincare
Lush
We all know Lush and I think it's pretty easy to love them. I mean, an all-natural, environmentally conscious brand that focuses mostly on bathroom products: what's not to like? At least, that's how I feel. Their scents are always lovely, but what I enjoy the most are all of their ranges. I count down to the Christmas and Easter and other little seasonal ranges they bring out every year. They're just so fun and enjoyable to me. And I love hygiene and taking care of the environment, so there's always that.
Korres
This could be incorrect, but I think Korres are overlooked as a brand. First off, they're a Greek brand and Greece is beautiful. Second, their ingredients are thought out and lean to the natural side. Third, have you ever used a Korres product? Holy hell do they do wonders for skin. I love their face moisturizers and creams. They leave my skin hydrated and soft and healthy. For a girl with skin as dry as the desert, I glow after I put these on. Yes, please. Plus, they're decently affordable for what they are. I highly recommend.
*I do find it important to point out that Korres sell in China, but they do not sell in physical stores, allowing them to bypass the animal testing laws in Mainland China. Thank you, Korres.*
Let me know if you guys have ever tried any products from these brands and what you think of them overall. And, of course, let me know your favorite cruelty-free brands. I'm always looking to expand.
xxx
Becca Cosmetics
No surprise here, right? I love a glowy look, and Becca knows how to deliver in that department. They make my favorite foundation and my favorite highlight (everyone's favorite highlight), and every time I walk into Ulta or Sephora, I swatch practically their entire collection. Their stuff is just so gorgeous. Besides the looks, though, their products deliver: they wear well, last long, and blend easily. Find me in their highlighter more often than not.
tarte
tarte was my first makeup love and probably my strongest. Granted, their eye products (besides their 4-in-1 mascara) are boring and their formulas aren't amazing, their face products are the complete opposite. Their Park Ave Princess is one of my Holy Grail products, and their blushes are some of the best. I don't think I'll ever stop loving tarte as a brand.
wet n wild
This is one of the most affordable brands, and its quality is so freaking good. Have you tried a wet n wild highlighter? You should. What about their cream products? Or their primers? Like the higher end cosmetics mentioned above, wet n wild's products have an awesome wear time and blend flawlessly with everything I've ever put on my face. If you're still overlooking them, do yourself a favor, spend $4 on something at Target, and get on board.
Lorac
I feel like people either love or hate Lorac, and I'm one of the people that love them. I've never been disappointed with their eyeshadows. The formulas blend well, the pigment is amazing, and the color selection is never disappointing. Granted, some of their shimmer shades have fallout, but that's an easy fix. I hit pan on almost every palette of theirs I own, and I'm completely okay with that. I'll buy them forever.
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Honestly, I feel about ABH palettes the way I do about the Lorac ones. The formula, the colors, their ability to blend, is all exactly what I look for. I know I don't need to sell these to you. Modern Renaissance sells itself. Just try them if you haven't.
Lush
We all know Lush and I think it's pretty easy to love them. I mean, an all-natural, environmentally conscious brand that focuses mostly on bathroom products: what's not to like? At least, that's how I feel. Their scents are always lovely, but what I enjoy the most are all of their ranges. I count down to the Christmas and Easter and other little seasonal ranges they bring out every year. They're just so fun and enjoyable to me. And I love hygiene and taking care of the environment, so there's always that.
Korres
This could be incorrect, but I think Korres are overlooked as a brand. First off, they're a Greek brand and Greece is beautiful. Second, their ingredients are thought out and lean to the natural side. Third, have you ever used a Korres product? Holy hell do they do wonders for skin. I love their face moisturizers and creams. They leave my skin hydrated and soft and healthy. For a girl with skin as dry as the desert, I glow after I put these on. Yes, please. Plus, they're decently affordable for what they are. I highly recommend.
*I do find it important to point out that Korres sell in China, but they do not sell in physical stores, allowing them to bypass the animal testing laws in Mainland China. Thank you, Korres.*
Let me know if you guys have ever tried any products from these brands and what you think of them overall. And, of course, let me know your favorite cruelty-free brands. I'm always looking to expand.
xxx
