Disclaimer: Some of these products are vegan AND cruelty free, but today I am focusing on the cruelty free component of cosmetics. 

What is the difference? VEGAN beauty products are free of any animal products, and CRUELTY FREE means that nothing was tested on animals. 

I am not shocked by how many brands support cruel practices…why? Because in order to sell beauty products in China, you must test on animals…which means more money for a lot of these brands. A LOT MORE. So it’s extra heartwarming to find brands that are not only cruelty free, but not as greedy. 

The biggest bummer for me was saying goodbye to MAC and NARS products. I still have and use their products from awhile back because I’m not just going to waste makeup. I will use it up, and then be done with it. 

Here are some benefits of buying cruelty free beauty products, via Cruelty Free Kitty:

1. ANIMAL TESTING IS CRUELER THAN YOU THINK.

The animals used in experiments are not only confined to small cages and inhumane conditions, but they’re also subjected to tests that are beyond cruel. They’re tortured, maimed, blinded, and even killed. They live a life of suffering and know nothing but fear. You can learn more here.

2. TECHNOLOGY BROUGHT BETTER ALTERNATIVES TO ANIMAL TESTING.

Some companies try to tell us that animal testing serves a purpose: tests are being performed on animals to make sure that ingredients and products are safe enough for humans. The truth is there are alternatives to animal testing for ingredient safety. For example, many companies choose to use in vitro testing, which has many advantages over animal testing. There are also cultured cell tissues as well as computer models.

3. ANIMAL TESTING FOR COSMETICS IS SIMPLY UNNECESSARY.

To formulate their products, companies can choose from a list of over 7,000 ingredients that are already proven to be safe. This just proves that they don’t need to test more ingredients on animals. The only companies that choose to test more ingredients on animals do so because they want to come up with new, innovative ingredients to increase their profits.

4. LABORARY ANIMALS ARE ANIMALS TOO.

According to the law, laboratory animals form a special category of animals and aren’t protected from animal abuse and cruelty. This view is completely unethical and nonsensical. We protect pets from abuse, but laboratory bunnies, mice, dogs, cats, and other animals don’t have the same rights. Lab animals are animals too and should be protected from cruel treatment.

5. CATS AND DOGS ARE BEING USED IN ANIMAL EXPERIMENTS.

This wasn’t a typo. Cats and dogs are commonly used in medical animal experiments. Based on statistics from 2013, 67,772 dogs and 24,221 cats were used in animal testing in the United States alone that year. In terms of dog breeds, a shockingly large number of Beagles are used, because of their docile nature. These animals are treated like laboratory animals and are deprived of the basic rights we allow our pets.

6. YOU CAN VOTE WITH YOUR MONEY.

By supporting cruelty-free companies instead of the ones who choose to test on animals, you’re sending the whole industry a message in the only language they speak: money. They know that they won’t be getting your business unless they stop testing on animals. If enough consumers boycott companies that test on animals, we can truly make a change and influence more companies to go cruelty-free.

Read more HERE.

Vegan products in particular can get a bad rap because they are known for being crunchy, perhaps not as potent or luxurious…which is really sad. However there are so many amazing vegan and cruelty free brands that are just as luxe, strong, and beautiful as those that are not. These are my die-hard go-to brands for cruelty free products:

1. Anastasia Beverly Hills

Anastasia Beverly Hills was one of the first badass makeup brands that I started to use as I made the transition away from purchasing products tested on animals. My absolute must-haves from ABH are the Brow Wiz liner (the most natural looking brow pencil out there) and the contour stick. I use both every single day that I wear makeup. 

2. Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury has become a favorite of mine over the last couple of years. Every time I try a new product from CT, I am BLOWN AWAY. Literally. This has never happened for me with any other beauty line, ever. I am seriously obsessed with every single item available. My most recent purchase was the Flawless Filter. And OMG, you guys, get it now. You won’t regret it. It gives you that Instagram filter without the filter! YASSS! I have never seen a blurring product like it before. The lipsticks are also TDF. I own 3 colors so far – my favorites being Pillow Talk and Kim K.

3. Ouai

If there’s one line of hair care products that has it all, it’s Ouai. THEY SMELL SO GOOD! The hairspray pictured above smells like Hawaii. It’s just bliss. 

4. Cover FX

Cover FX has been around for awhile, and I am a fan of their face products. Their blushes and foundations are AH-MAZING. My favorite product from Cover FX is the Custom Enhancing Drops in Moonlight, which is a liquid highlight which goes a very long way. Sometimes I’ll mix it in with my foundation for an all over glow (you only need the tiniest drop), and during the summer I love to mix it with lotion for a healthy looking GLOW. 

5. Le Labo

This is the first fragrance I’ve found that is cruelty free. Hallelujah! If you haven’t given the Le Labo line a whirl, you have to. Please try their scents. I promise you won’t be disappointed. My favorite fragrance is Santal 33 (I’m obsessed), and the Santal 26 candle is the best candle I have ever smelled. This coming from a candle lady. 

6. Herbivore Botanicals

Not only is their packing totally Instagram worthy, their products are so good. And so different too. My favorite is the Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist – I spray it on morning and night before applying my serums and creams. It smells so good, and it gives your skin a boost of hydration. 

7. 100 Percent Pure

Everything about this brand is incredible. Love that they are based in my neighborhood in the San Francisco Bay Area too. 100 Percent Pure uses fruit pigments to color their products – how freaking cool is that? The quality of their makeup is SO GOOD. Their eyeshadows are buttery, matte liptstick is the perfect consistency, and my favorite, the liquid liner is black. I mean really black. And it took a lot of scrubbing to remove it. It’s that good. 

So there ya have it. Please tell me if you use any cruelty free/vegan brands that you’re loving!

xo, Lynn