The beauty industry is constantly changing. We are sometimes overwhelmed with the number of products we see every day, with the advertisements, and influencers campaigns.
In recent years, makeup products tend to become cleaner and cleaner. With this driving desire to attract new customers, more and more brands are becoming all-natural, vegan, organic, mineral-based, etc.
Why is cruelty-free makeup good for your health? What other advantages does it have? What exactly does it mean? We will explain everything in detail.
What Is Cruelty-free Makeup?
Since there is no legal definition of cruelty-free makeup products, it is common to say that those products and their ingredients are not tested on animals.
The idea of cosmetic testing on animals before proving it is safe for humans has a long history. Unfortunately, many animals die each year from taking part in animal testing. Those are usually small animals like mice, rabbits, rats, cats, dogs, and guinea pigs.
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Cruelty-free makeup tends to show that the method of animal testing is outdated and not necessary. With the technology constantly moving forward, these makeup products are considered safe for everybody and natural.
Why Does Cruelty-free Matter?
Cruelty-free makeup is important, and not only for animal lovers.
For now, 38 countries banned animal-tested cosmetics. Among them are Israel, India, Australia, and the EU. Unfortunately, animal testing is still on in the USA as well as in China, where it is required for many products.
The fact is that 95% of all drugs tested positive on animals are not safe for humans. Our responses to drugs are not the same.
Makeup producers should stop using animals for testing completely. We, as consumers, should opt for clean and natural makeup instead.
How Does the Cruelty-free Label Affect the Price?
One of the common questions that pop out every time someone mentions cruelty-free makeup is the price. Are cruelty-free makeup products more expensive than others? The short answer might shock you, but no, they are not more costly.
Generally speaking, the leaping bunny certificate, which is a cruelty-free label, doesn’t impact the price. Cruelty-free companies usually price their products depending on the ingredients they use. Also, they consider the benefits and the time of production for each product.
The Price Ranges
Same with the products that are not cruelty-free, you can find different prices with cruelty-free makeup products.
When you see a product that costs anywhere from $15 to $30, you can say that it is a mid-range cruelty-free product. Brands like Pixie and e.l.f offer products that are in this range. You can find a foundation for $8 and mascara for $20 and still save some money.
However, there are cruelty-free products that cost between $20 and $50 or more. Some of these brands are Urban Decay, Too Faced, and Tarte.
What About the Quality?
Good quality is what describes cruelty-free products the best. They are healthier for use, usually without any harmful ingredients. There are differences between vegan, cruelty-free, and organic products. However, what they all have in common are non-toxic ingredients that are of excellent quality.
Seeing chemicals in makeup products is not rare, but that can potentially mean they do testings on animals. One of the reasons why cruelty-free makeup is a better alternative is that those products are free from ingredients such as:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic dyes
- Fragrances
- Phthalates
Those ingredients can cause many problems on the skin – from inflammation to allergic reactions and faster aging.
Next time you ask yourself if cruelty-free products are high-quality, just think about animal testing and those harmful ingredients some brands still have in their formulas.
Is There Any Difference Between Vegan and Cruelty-Free Cosmetics?
Although many people think that vegan and cruelty-free makeup products are completely the same, that is not entirely true. And we will explain why.
Vegan products are made with zero animal-derived ingredients. That means those products don’t include honey, beeswax, gelatin, and other components coming from animals. Still, they can do animal testings with some of their ingredients.
On the other hand, cruelty-free doesn’t test on animals but can have animal-derived ingredients.
There are manufacturers that try to blend both of these categories. Some of the brands that are both cruelty-free and vegan are Barely Cosmetics, Cover FX, Eco Tools, INIKA, Kat Von D Beauty (now known as KVD Vegan beauty), and many others.
Six Reasons to Go for Cruelty-free Makeup Today
1. Animal-testing is Cruel
If nothing else, stoping animal testing should be one of the biggest reasons to go for cruelty-free products today. Apart from the practice that these animals are tortured, and many of them killed at the end of testing, they live in horrible conditions, in small cages, usually without decent food.
There is no such thing as painless animal testing. Whatever brands claim, you need to know that these methods are cruel and outdated. With technology going forward, why would we still be trapped in time?
2. Cruelty-Free Products are More Affordable
If you are on a budget, switching to cruelty-free products is the right thing. Although everyone thinks cruelty-free products are more expensive, they are quite affordable. When you compare them with brands that still test on animals, like MAC or Clinique, you will see a big difference in the price range.
On average, cruelty-free, organic, and vegan cosmetics are cheaper than popular branded products that test on animals.
3. There are Many Safe Makeup Ingredients
Companies do animal testing based on the concept that ingredients can’t be on the market before being tested safely. But what about 7,000 ingredients that are already proven to be safe for humans? Companies can choose from this pretty long list and stop animal testing.
Unfortunately, the only reason brands and companies still choose to test new ingredients on animals is profit. They potentially increase their profits by presenting us with new formulas and ingredients.
By buying organic, cruelty-free products, you can still have fantastic eye-shadow or moisturizer while leaping bunny will secure that the ingredients you are using are safe for everybody.
4. Buy Less for Our Planet
A minimalistic approach is the best thing you can do. Decluttering your makeup, clothes, and other random things around your house that you are not using leads to a better life on our planet. Cruelty-free promotes buying less and making the best out of your makeup products.
If you think about spring decluttering, make sure to check out why cruelty-free makeup should find a place in your home.
5. Support Small Businesses
Many women are afraid to make a switch from brands that are big and expensive and to try something new but more affordable. However, many small less-known businesses make cruelty-free products that are simply great.
By buying new and cruelty-free products, you can support small businesses and encourage them to continue. You will see how many options will open once you switch to products with a leaping bunny certificate.
6. You Can Truly Make a Difference
Unfortunately, every time we buy products that are doing animal tests, we send a message that we don’t know their rights and don’t actually care. Maybe you are not interested in looking at the ingredients, but we think cruelty-free makeup products will make you feel better.
You can actually make a difference. Even when you buy just one cruelty-free lipstick or foundation, you have saved laboratory animals from further testing. That will surely make you feel good.
Most Notable Cruelty-free Makeup Brands
The brands that are listed below are officially cruelty-free. You can find them online as well as in drugstores, Sephora, and Ulta. The prices may vary from $10 to $60.
1. Urban Decay
Urban Decay is a brand that has many staple products you can see on Instagram and Youtube. They are bold, enriched with colors, but also have neutral palettes of makeup that are practical for daily use.
You should note that although Urban Decay doesn’t test on animals, its parent company, L’oreal, still does.Â
2. bareMinerals
bareMinerals is one of the companies that doesn’t do animal testing. Their makeup doesn’t contain any oils, fragrances, or preservatives. They also pay attention to all skin tones. That’s why they have a range of 40 different nude lip shades. The brand is focused on clean beauty with absolutely fabulous prices.
3. Fenty Beauty
Rihanna’s makeup brand definitely took the world by storm. Even before launching the brand, Riri said it will be cruelty-free with many different shades of foundations, suitable for all. The entire makeup line is adjusted to fit all.
4. KVD Vegan Beauty
Even though the products are highly-priced, their quality is not questionable. The brand of makeup previously known as Kat Von D Beauty is no longer related to the tattoo artist. They are working on reformulating all their formula to vegan.
If you decide to purchase something from this brand, we recommend eyeshadow palettes, liquid lipsticks, as well as contour palettes.
5. E.l.f
E.l.f is one of the makeup brands that is cruelty-free and offers many affordable products. Most of their products cost under $10. The brand is not testing on animals, and they are also 100% vegan.
Affordable prices and nice packaging is something e.l.f offers to the buyers. If you are just starting with makeup, want something cruelty-free, then this brand is right where you should look.
6. NYX Cosmetics
Both customers and professional makeup artists love another brand that offers great makeup products for a perfect price. NYX Cosmetics remained cruelty-free, even after its acquisition by L’oreal in 2014.
NYX products are highly pigmented and good quality, made of cruelty-free ingredients. You should be definitely checking out their lip shades, foundations, and highlighters.
7. Hourglass
If you are looking into high-end, luxurious makeup to purchase, then look no further. Hourglass has beautiful products, all cruelty-free with lovely and rich-looking packaging. Some of the popular picture-perfect products are Ambient lightening blush, as well as their glittery eye shadows.
The brand also decided not to sell their products in countries where animal testing is still on (for instance, China).
8. Anastasia Beverly Hills
When the makeup artist is nearby, you will probably see some of the Anastasia Beverly Hills products in her or his bag. Usually, brow pomade and wonderful eye palettes took the world and won the hearts of all beauty influencers.
9. Too Faced
Even though fans were concerned when Estee Lauder started to own the brand in 2016, what their animal-testing politics will be, we have great news. Too Faced is still cruelty-free. Moreover, in recent years they expanded their vegan options. This includes their best-selling products: mascara Better than Sex and Born this Way foundation in 35 shades.
10. Glossier
Since the launch of the brand in the UK in 2017, they held a very high place. Glossier is one of those minimalistic cruelty-free brands that offer not only makeup but also skincare and body care.
Glossier works only with vendors that don’t support any kind of animal testing.
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