14 Cruelty-Free Make-Up Brands To Buy If You Feel Love For The Bunnies
When was the last time you checked to see if your make-up is cruelty free?
It's easy to pick up free-range eggs or fair-trade bananas, but sometimes it can be hard to find the right information about your beauty products.
There are brands, such as The Body Shop and Lush, that market themselves on being cruelty free, so we know that they're particularly ethical in their approach.
But, other than these, which brands test on animals? And which are cruelty-free?
'PETA's "cruelty-free" designation means that a company or brand has banned all tests on animals for their ingredients – including in their supply chain – formulas, and finished products,' explains Dr Julia Baines, Science Policy Advisor at PETA.
'No testing on animals will be allowed anywhere, for any reason. It's essential that consumers aren't duped by profiteering companies that choose to engage in this archaic practice.'
For cosmetics companies, animal testing has been banned in the UK since 1998, but with global companies producing overseas, it's difficult to know for sure.
'Some companies say that they don't conduct animal tests unless required to by law. This often means that they have chosen to expand their market by exporting their products to countries such as China where tests on animals are legally mandated,' Dr Baines points out.
'Alternatively, it may mean that they use ingredients flagged for testing under the EU's regulatory framework for chemicals. Companies that pay for this testing are legally allowed to sell their products in the EU, despite the Cosmetics Regulation ban on animal testing, and PETA is working to change this.'
To help you out, we've compiled a list of the best make-up brands that don't test on animals at all, so you can put your make-up on with a clear conscience.
1.Glossier
The cult brand that probably no longer needs an introduction, Glossier has held a firm stance on cruelty-free make-up since its launch in the UK in 2017. It's ever-growing range of make-up (not to forget skincare, body care and merch) is leaping bunny certified, meaning it’s products are subject to regular checks to ensure they are in line with the international cruelty-free certification standards. Cruelty-free Glossier from head to toe? You got it.
A statement on their website reads; 'We’re committed to being cruelty free: this means we do not test on animals at any stage of product development, and we will only work with vendors who uphold the same standards.'
2. Emolyne
Ever wanted to look (and feel) so put together that your nails perfectly matched your lip colour? That's what Emolyne offers, with a line-up of 15 nude and 15 red shades that complement all skin tones in corresponding lip liners, lipsticks and nail polishes.
The shade names are inspired by African countries and landmarks in honour of founder Emolyne Ramlov's heritage, and are all cruelty-free and vegan.
'We even use synthetic beeswax as opposed to the more commonly used beeswax to make certain we don’t use any animal by-products,' states Emolyne's website.
3. Milk Makeup
Not only does Milk Makeup's packaging and products look super cool, their attitude towards cruelty-free beauty has always ahead of the curve too. All products are 100% vegan, never tested on animals and not sold in countries who require it by law.
From cannabis seed oil infused mascara to tattoo stamps, this is a brand for those who want to experiment with their creativity while remaining steadfast in their morality.
Cruelty-free funky coloured chalk? We're sold.
4. bareMinerals
bareMinerals doesn't test on animals, at all. Their make-up also happily doesn't contain any preservatives, oils, fragrances or damaging chemicals. But that's not all, because in a bid to make the brand more inclusive, they launched the Gen Nude collection which boasts 40 (yep, 40) different nude lip shades (including liquid lipsticks and lip liners) to suit all manner of different skin tones from fair to dark and everything in between.
Add that to their new Power Of Good campaign that focuses on a commitment to clean beauty, and the make-up brand are a pretty good bet for guaranteed feel good purchasing.
bareMinerals, we salute you.
5. Illamasqua
Illamasqua are world-famous for lending their passionate support to causes that matter and, as expected, the brand does not test on animals, meaning everything from their lipstick to liquid liners are totally cruelty free.
'When it comes to cosmetics, not only do we care about colour, texture, price and performance of the products we use, but how they are sourced, manufactured and tested,' Illamasqua writes on their website.
Thanks to the long-lasting formulas, bold colours and new, Instagram-worthy buys being launched almost very month, the brand has a cult following from bloggers to celebrities, make-up artists to beauty editors - proof that cruelty free is the only way forward.
6. Fenty Beauty
Riri's make-up brand took the world by storm when it launched with an incredible 40 foundation shades and brands have since followed suit, with what the beauty industry dubbed 'The Fenty Effect'. What's even more impressive is that the entire line is completely cruelty free.
Before the launch, a fan Twitter DMed the Grammy winner and asked if the brand was going to be cruelty-free and Rihanna replied with: 'you callin me an animal?'. Enough said Riri.
7. The Body Shop
The beauty brand leads the way in sustainably sourced and Fair Trade ingredients but was also the first global cosmetics company to campaign to end animal testing in 1989, even before it were banned in the UK in 1998.
The brand worked with Cruelty Free International to create their own Forever Against Animal Testing campaign to fight to wipe out animal testing across the globe. In 2018 they managed to reach 8 million signatures which allowed them to take their petition to the United Nations.
8. Charlotte Tilbury
The celebrity make-up artist launched her name-sake luxury make-up brand in 2012 and our skin has never been glowy-er.
Thankfully, the brand doesn't test on animals anywhere in the world and even has a few vegan products, which means you can enjoy sculpted cheekbones and silky highlighters, guilt free.
9. Urban Decay
Not only did the make-up brand name Lizzo as their newest ambassador earlier this year (they can't get much cooler than that) but they're also cruelty-free.
From their iconic Naked Palettes that break the internet every time they launch to their glitter-filled Moondust Eyeshadows, the brand doesn't test on animals or use any animal by-products in any of the line. Even their fluffy make-up brushes are completely cruelty-free. You go Urban Decay.
10. Hourglass
From the picture-perfect Ambient Lighting Blush (hello, perfectly sculpted cheeks) to the GIRL Lip Stylo Collection launched to champion women and girls everywhere, Hourglass do not incorporate animal testing into their development phase or at the production level of their beauty products.
What's more, the brand does not sell these products to countries known for animal testing, either. Definitely not looking at you China...
11. NYX Cosmetics
Loved by make-up artists and beauty influencers alike, NYX thrives on having high pigmented products for an affordable cost.
The brand doesn't test on animals or contain any ingredients that aren't cruelty-free. In 2018 the brand announced that for the first time it would start producing vegan products, most of them not setting you back more than £10. Who said cruelty-free ingredients had to be expensive?
12. Marc Jacobs Beauty
With a whole hoard of stunning nail polishes, foundations and blushers that look just as good on your Instagram feed as they do on your cheeks, Marc Jacobs Beauty caused a storm when it landed in the UK not long ago - and to our relief, none of said products are tested on animals.
The brand writes on their website, 'Marc Jacobs Beauty is a cruelty-free cosmetics brand. We never test on animals or use ingredients tested on animals; nor do we ask vendors to test on our behalf. Marc Jacobs Beauty is not sold in China.'
Even Neville Jacobs approves (that's Marc's dog FYI).
13. Anastasia Beverly Hills
If you sneak a peek inside any celebrity make-up artists' beauty arsenal, you'll no doubt spot something by Anastasia Beverly Hills (most probably the Brow Wiz - it's fantastic), and according to PETA - one of the largest animal rights organisations in the world - the brand is also cruelty-free.
Originally a Sephora-only brand, you can currently shop the collection from Cult Beauty or Beauty Bay here in the UK. Huzzah!
14. Lush
Whilst Lush are mainly known for their colourful bath bombs and naked shower gels, they have branched out into the make-up buis.
The brand launched their naked (plastic-free) foundation earlier this year in 40 shades and have a re-fillable lipstick collection. Everything is not only cruelty-free but also plastic-free which makes for one ethical brand.
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