10 vegan & cruelty-free makeup brands to adopt
The original article was written in 2015.
In recent years, the cruelty-free and sustainable consumption movement has come to high prominence and garnered millions of supporters all over the world. A bevvy of industries have come under scrutiny for their inhumane treatment of animals. One of the most notorious offenders is the fashion and beauty industry, where product testing and unsavoury manufacturing methods to attain animal products are still widely used today.
Brands have been under pressure to disclose their suppliers and production methods, in order for the conscious consumer the freedom and ability to purchase from brands that align with their personal beliefs. While some brands have been less than honest, here are the ten high-quality makeup brands that have a clear conscience.
Image Credit: Anastasia Beverly Hills
Image Credit: Becca Cosmetics
Image Credit: Bare Minerals
Image Credit: Beauty Bay
Image Credit: Tarte Cosmetics
NYX is one of the best drug-store makeup brands out there. When they first launched in Singapore, they were known for providing high-quality products in wide shade selections ranging from natural to bold.
Sadly, NYX is not available in Sephora anymore and their physical stores have closed their doors. But they are still available on Shopee and Lazada.
Their products are super affordable and have great pigmentation and colour range. Their lipsticks start from $6 and their eyeshadow palettes go up to $42.
Glossier singlehandedly kickstarted the clean and minimal, no-makeup makeup trend in the mid-2010s, with beautiful packaging, affordable products and excellent social media engagement.
Check out their whole makeup line if you’re into natural, dewy looks. They released their Glossier Play line which is more than their typical “barely there” makeup.
Glossier does not ship directly to Singapore and it’s not stocked at Sephora, but it’s possible to purchase some of their more popular products on Shopee.
Their products start from $18.80 with Balm Dot Com, and their Priming Moisturiser is $59.
Colourpop is known for its super-affordable eyeshadows and liquid lipsticks - and their build your own palette option.
They’ve also created lines in collaboration with iconic franchises like Sailor Moon, Avatar The Last Airbender, PEEPS, Star Wars, Disney Princesses, Powerpuff Girls, Hello Kitty, Barbie Lizzie Mcguire, and even the NBA.
Colourpop palettes range from just $10 for four colour palettes, to $42 for 24 colour palettes. Their lip products go from $6 to $9. They also come in sets.
Pixi is a makeup and skincare brand that launched in Singapore in 2018, so they’re a relatively new brand in the Singapore scene.
They’re known for their clean, green packaging and affordable drugstore skincare. According to their founder, they’re all about creating multi-purpose products that enhance natural beauty.
You can find Pixi at Sephora, with their products ranging from $16 for their lip nourisher, to their retinol tonic at $48.
Editor’s Note: I’ve tried their Rose Tonic Toner for skin redness, and it’s my second favourite toner/serum behind the Glossier Super Pure.
e.l.f, the big daddy of quality drugstore makeup.
Elf is not only super affordable, but they offer many great products especially when you consider the price points. They have everything from makeup brushes, primers, face palettes, foundation and eyeshadows. The best part is that all of those products are 100% vegan.
You can find a limited selection of e.l.f products at Lazada. Brushes start from $7.90, and their eyeshadows palettes go for $22.90.
Alternatively, you can shop directly from them on their site.
Anastasia Beverly Hills products were the must-haves for every Youtube beauty guru in 2015. They specialise in brow products and make some of the best ones on the market. These are available in multiple formats (pencil, pomade, powder) but also in a ton of shades. They have since expanded their collection into a full makeup line.
Their products range from $17 for brow gels to $117 for eyeshadow palettes.
Find Anastasia Beverly Hills at Sephora here.
Becca is very well-known for its gorgeous highlighters. They offer high-quality makeup and a great selection of products. They specialise in base products; like highlighters, bronzers, foundations, primers, and blushes. If you’re looking to achieve a stunning, glowing base, look no further than Becca.
Their concealers start from $24.50 to $133 for eyeshadow palettes.
Sadly, Becca is no longer available in Sephora. But you can still find their products on Lazada and Zalora.
BareMinerals became popular for their mineral foundation, but have now branched out and offers a lot more mineral-based products. Mineral-based makeup products are light, beneficial for people with sensitive skin, it has built-in sunscreen, and doesn’t block pores.
Do note Bare Minerals is owned by Bare Escentuals, which is owned by Shiseido. While Shiseido isn’t cruelty-free, Bare Escentuals still is.
You can find their products on Zalora, starting at $10 for small foundations, to skincare for $89.
Smashbox has been a long-time staple of the beauty industry. Their most well-known products include their primers and setting sprays, but they offer a full range of makeup products.
Since they pulled out of mainland China, Smashbox has been cruelty-free, though they’re still owned by a parent company that isn’t.
Find Smashbox at Sephora here. Their products range from $22 for primers, to $65 for setting powders.
Tarte is synonymous with bright, beautiful packaging, high-quality pigments and concealers that can cover all your flaws. Their makeup line is free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, GMOs, and gluten.
Tarte’s Shape Tape Concealer ($44) is one of their highest-rated products, and their Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blushes ($48) are super-pigmented, long-lasting, and non-chalky.
Find Tarte here at Sephora, with their products ranging from $17 for their travel size Shape Tape Concealer, to $80 for their Tartelette™ Full Bloom Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette (Limited Edition).
Image Credit: Chain Drug Review
Image Credit: The Beauty Minimalist
Image Credit: Colourpop Cosmetics
Image Credit: Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong
Image Credit: Beauty Brain Blush
