Unveiling the World of Vegan Mascara: Flutter with Kindness

What is vegan mascara?

Dive into the exciting realm of vegan mascaras, where innovative formulas deliver dramatic volume, intense definition, and long-lasting wear – all without a single animal product in sight. Whether you're a seasoned vegan makeup user or simply curious about cruelty-free alternatives to complement your vegan skin care routine, get ready to unleash the power of your lashes with kindness!

What is vegan mascara?

Vegan mascara is a type of mascara formulated without any animal-derived ingredients or tested on animals. This aligns perfectly with a vegan lifestyle that avoids animal products for ethical reasons. Unlike traditional mascaras, which might contain beeswax, lanolin (from sheep's wool), or carmine (crushed beetles), vegan mascaras utilize plant-based waxes, natural oils, and mineral pigments to achieve the same dramatic results.

a black vegan mascara

The good news is, you don't have to sacrifice quality for ethics. Many vegan mascaras rival, and even surpass their conventional counterparts in terms of volume, definition, and wear time. Plus, with the growing popularity of vegan beauty, there's a wider variety of high-performing, affordable vegan mascaras available, making it easier than ever to find the perfect one to complement your affordable organic skincare routine.

What is cruelty-free mascara?

Cruelty-free mascara refers to mascara that hasn't been tested on animals at any stage of development or production. This aligns with the ethical stance against what is animal testing makeup, a practice where products or ingredients are applied to animals to assess safety or efficacy. 

different cruelty free logos

While vegan mascara automatically qualifies as cruelty-free because it excludes animal ingredients, there are conventional mascaras that might be cruelty-free but still contain animal-derived components. Look for cruelty-free certifications on the packaging to ensure the mascara meets your ethical standards. Many vegan mascara brands are also cruelty-free, offering a one-stop shop for ethically sourced and formulated products.

Top vegan mascara brands

Vegan mascaras deliver dramatic results using plant-based ingredients and cruelty-free practices. Whether you crave volume, definition, or bold length, a perfect vegan mascara is waiting to enhance your natural beauty. Dive in and discover the best mascaras for your lashes and your ethics!

Elate Cosmetics elevates your natural beauty with their vegan mascara. This formula lengthens and defines lashes for a captivating look that's free of cruelty. Jojoba seed oil and organic white tea nourish lashes, while carnauba wax adds a touch of definition. Elate is committed to sustainability with a recycling program in place, calling it: Empty, clean, mail, repeat!

Elate essential mascara
  • Ingredients: Jojoba Seed Oil, Organic White tea, Carnauba Wax

  • Focus: Lengthening, Definition

  • Sustainability: They offer a recycling program, vegan

  • Price: From 28$

  • Water-Resistant Mascara 

Tower 28's mascara is formulated with clean, vegan ingredients that volumize and define lashes without irritation. They prioritize sustainability with refillable packaging. They are also famous for their vegan sunscreen

Tower 28's mascara
  • Ingredients: Seed Wax, Olive oil

  • Focus: Volumizing, Definition

  • Sustainability: Refillable packaging, Cruelty-Free, Vegan

  • Price: From 20$

  • Water-Resistant Mascara 

E.L.F. offers a budget-friendly vegan mascara that lengthens and volumizes lashes. It's a popular drugstore option for those seeking cruelty-free beauty on a budget. You can also find quality organic eye creams on their website. 

E.L.F.  budget-friendly vegan mascara
  • Focus: Lengthening, Volumizing

  • Sustainability: Fair-trade certified, Cruelty-Free, Vegan

  • Price: From 3$

  • Waterproof option available

INIKA Organics boasts a 100% natural and vegan mascara that defines lashes with precision. It's infused with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and aloe vera, promoting healthy lashes.

INIKA Organics 100% natural and vegan mascara
  • Ingredients:  Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Carnauba Wax

  • Focus: Definition

  • Sustainability: 90% Sustainable & reused materials for packaging, Certified Vegan, Cruelty-Free

  • Price: From 35$

  • Waterproof version available

Covergirl offers several mascara options, some of which are vegan. Look for designations like "vegan" or "cruelty-free" on the packaging to ensure choosing a plant-based formula, as they offer different versions of products. 

Covergirl lash blast volume
  • Focus: Varies by product (lengthening, volumizing, etc.)

  • Sustainability: Cruelty-Free (some products), Vegan (some products)

  • Price: From 10$

  • Waterproof option available

Eyeko, while not entirely vegan, offers a cruelty-free range that includes vegan mascaras. Look for "vegan" on the product label for plant-based options.

Eyeko mascaras
  • Ingredients: Jojoba Esters, Oleracea Fruit Oil

  • Focus: Varies by product (lengthening, volumizing, etc.)

  • Sustainability: Cruelty-Free, Vegan (some products)

  • Price: From 10$

  • Waterproof: Varies by product

Milk Makeup offers various vegan mascaras, including volumizing and lengthening formulas. They often have innovative and trendy packaging. They also provide reusable makeup remover pads.

Milk Makeup various items
  • Ingredients: Vegan beeswax, Conditioning hemp seed oil 

  • Focus: Varies by product (lengthening, volumizing, etc.)

  • Sustainability: Sustainable packaging, Cruelty-Free, Vegan

  • Price: From 15$

  • Waterproof

While illamasqua isn't entirely vegan, they offer a cruelty-free range that includes some fantastic vegan mascaras. Look for "vegan" on the product label to identify plant-based formulas.

illamasqua
  • Ingredients: Seed oil

  • Focus: Varies by product (lengthening, volumizing, dramatic lashes, etc.)

  • Sustainability: Cruelty-Free, Vegan (some products)

  • Price: From 10$

  • Waterproof: Varies by product

Urban Decay offers a variety of mascaras, with some vegan options available. They're known for their innovative and high-performance formulas.

Urban Decay mascara
  • Focus: Varies by product (lengthening, volumizing)

  • Sustainability: Cruelty-Free, some products may be vegan

  • Price: From 16$

  • Waterproof option available 

Similar to illamasqua, KVD Beauty isn't fully vegan, but they offer a cruelty-free range with several vegan mascaras. Look for "vegan" on the product label for plant-based options.

KVD Beauty
  • Ingredients: Olive oil, seed oil, seed wax

  • Focus: Varies by product (lengthening, volumizing, dramatic lashes, long lasting)

  • Sustainability: Cruelty-Free, Vegan (some products)

  • Price: From 25$

What to look for in vegan mascara?

Finding the perfect vegan mascara requires considering both your lash goals and the mascara's features. Here's a guide to help you navigate the world of vegan mascaras:

find the perfect vegan mascara

Ingredient Savvy

  • Vegan Labeling: Look for labels like "vegan" or "cruelty-free" on the packaging. This ensures the mascara doesn't contain animal-derived ingredients or involve animal testing.

  • Natural Powerhouse: Many vegan mascaras utilize plant-based ingredients like rice bran wax, candelilla wax, or jojoba oil for nourishment and lash conditioning.

Performance Matters

  • Focus on Function: Do you crave dramatic volume, lengthening power, or feathery definition? Choose a mascara formulated to achieve your desired effect.

  • Waterproof or Not: Consider your lifestyle and needs. Opt for waterproof mascara for long days or humid environments, while a water-resistant formula might suffice for everyday wear.

Beyond the Basics

  • Sustainable Practices: Look for brands committed to eco-friendly practices, such as refillable packaging or recycled materials.

  • Certifications: Some brands might have certifications from organizations like Leaping Bunny or Vegan.org, signifying their cruelty-free and vegan status.

Remember

  • Read Reviews: Online reviews offer valuable insights from other users about the mascara's performance, wearability, and potential downsides.

  • Patch Test: Like any new product, perform a patch test on your inner arm to check for allergies before applying mascara to your eyes.

At Sustainable Ways, we strive to introduce the best sustainable and eco-friendly brands with our independent reviews. Our effort is to introduce products from companies that prioritize values such as fair trade, transparency and sustainability. If you use our affiliate links to buy products, we may earn a small commission.
Maryam Vahidi

Content creator and web editor

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