We ask the top questions about which brands are and which are not cruelty free…
In this guide you will find all of the latest finds on top brands that are and are not cruelty free. We look at Cruelty Free Makeup brands as well as skin care. We answer the questions that are the most popular when looking for Cruelty free makeup and skin care brands.
If you are looking for other Cruelty free and Vegan products then we also have information on Cruelty Free & Vegan Toothpaste, Our Top Vegan Mascaras as well as a Cruelty Free Shampoo Guide.
Why look for cruelty free makeup brands?
As I am sure many of you are aware, lots of companies still do tests on animals to ensure that it is then safe to use on our skin. However with the wonders of experts and the years of knowledge that we now have in the 21st Century there is no need for any cosmetics company to be testing on animals.
They can use human cells or tissue if necessary to test their new products, there are advances in computing modelling techniques and there are even human volunteer options. Cruelty free makeup brands don’t just tend to be better for the animals but they are also better for us, as they are more likely to be made from natural and safer ingredients.
How do you know if something is cruelty free?
So the easiest way to know if something is cruelty free is to look for the little bunny logo. Sometimes the product may just state in writing that it is cruelty free.
Some brands may have the leaping bunny logo which means they as a company are committing to saying publicly that they will not ever test on animals with any new products.
If something is cruelty free is it Vegan?
In short no, just because a product has the bunny logo and it could be PETA approved it does not mean that it is vegan. However most companies who are striving to be cruelty free are naturally vegan as well. It’s normally things like honey/bees wax that could be in the product which makes it not vegan friendly.
Which big brands still test on animals?
Now there are some companies that we call the ‘big parent’ companies that do still test on animals, which then filters down to their smaller companies. So you need to look out for that if you are trying to support wholly companies that are truly cruelty free.
Top brands that still test on animals:
Revlon, Calvin Klein, American Beauty, Anna Sui, Amway, Avon, Benefit Cosmetics, Bobby Brown, Estee Lauder, Burberry, Burt’s Bee’s, By Terry, Caudalie , Chapstick, Clarins, Clinique, Collistar, Coty, Cle de Peau, Chanel, Dior,Dolce & Gabbana, DHC, Eisenberg Paris, Elizabeth Arden, Ellegirl, Eraborian, Fendi, Filgora, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, GlamGlow, Guerlain, Helena Rubinstein, M.A.C, Make up forever, Marc Jacobs, Mary Kay, Max Factor, Menard, Jimmy Choo, L’oreal, Lancome, Michael Kors, Nars, OPI, Origins, Oriflame, Pola, Pure, Heal’s Pat McGrath, Revlon, Rimmel, Sephora Cosmetics, Shiseido Cosmetics, Shu Uemura, Sinful Colours, Talika, Tom Ford, Tony Moly, Vera Wang, Versace, Wet N Wild, Yves Rocher, & Yves Saint Laurent.
It actually makes me horrified to find out how many of these huge global companies test on animals, they make such a phenomenal amount of money that I just don’t understand why they cannot find other alternative ways to ensure that animal products and testing do not need to be used to create great make up and or skin care.
Technology is so advanced these days and there are many methods that they could trial or even invest in. Small, local businesses are creating beautiful organic/natural makeup and skin care, if the little people can do it, why can’t others.
Which make up brands are Cruelty free and Vegan?
Check out Ethical Elephant who have an up to date list on brands that are cruelty free as well as identifying which ones have vegan products.
Our personal top makeup and skincare brands:
- Lush
- Hourglass
- BodyShop
- Inika Organic
- Milk makeup
- KVD
- Cover FX
- E.L.F Cosmetics
- B by Superdrug
- Lime Crime
- Pacifica
- Charlotte Tilbury ( not all Vegan )
- Bite beauty
- Herbivore Botanicals
- Too faced
- Urban Decay
- Chantecaille ( not all Vegan)
Is Chanel cruelty free?
No, unfortunately as I have already mentioned quite a lot of big companies are not cruelty free, which means they are also not vegan.
Does Dove test on animals?
Dove is one company that does not test on animals, and has not done for other 30 years, they find other ways to test their products. However even though it is cruelty free it is not registered as being vegan. Also it’s parent company Unilever does still test on animals. SO for me this is not a brand that I will be purchasing anytime soon.
Does Nivea test on animals?
According to most information found Nivea does not text on animals, they believe that animal testing is not required. As they believe their products are very effective and speak for themselves. However they are not registered on the approved PETA site and they state that Nivea does test on animals.
Does Neutrogena test on animals?
Neutrogena states that they do not test on animals unless in extreme circumstances where the law in a country states that you have to. So I would take this to mean that it cannot guarantee 100% that it is cruelty free. As it still sells it’s products in China, it is the law in China currently to test on animals.
Is Aveeno cruelty free?
Aveeno states exactly the same quote that Neutrogena does, so as I have already stated we cannot guarantee so therefore Aveeno is not cruelty free.
Is Kylie cosmetics cruelty free?
This brand states that it is cruelty free it does not sell in China and that they do not test on animals, however it’s parent company Coty is not cruelty free. Kylie Cosmetics is also not vegan as some of their products use ingredients that come from animals.
Is Dior cruelty free?
Dior is not cruelty free. Even though they may not test on animals, they pay others to test for them and they also sell in China where it is required by law.
Does Wet N Wild test on animals?
There is contrasting evidence for whether or not Wet N Wild is cruelty free or not, however as of August 2020 Wet N Wild have worked with PETA and have stated that they are cruelty free even though they are selling in mainland China.
The Wet N Wild website states that they have always been cruelty free even before 2020 and that most of their products are also Vegan. They do however seem to have some products that are vegan on their website.
Is Maybelline vegan?
Maybelline is not vegan and it is not cruelty free.
Does Gucci test on animals?
Sadly, Gucci does test on animals and therefore is not vegan or cruelty free.
Is Loreal vegan?
The loreal website states that it is cruelty free and has been cruelty free for over 30 years and they are keen to develop new alternative approaches to test beauty products.
However according to the PETA website Loreal is not cruelty free and does test on animals. Loreal as a company do strive to find other methods however like many big make up brands they sell in mainland China and therefore cannot be PETA approved and are therefore not Vegan or cruelty free.
Is Huda vegan?
Huda is not 100% vegan as some of its products do contain beeswax.
Is Colgate cruelty free?
Colgate is not 100% vegan or cruelty free, however it has recently launched some new vegan toothpastes which are cruelty free and vegan, so they are heading in the right direction!
What toothpaste is cruelty free?
Check out my blog on cruelty free and vegan toothpastes to find out which toothpastes are and are not cruelty free!
Is Tresemme vegan?
Tresemme is not vegan as it does contain animal products in a lot of its products as well as using sulfates.
Is Herbal Essences Cruelty Free?
I was so excited to find out that Herbal Essences was cruelty free and Vegan having over the last couple of years started promoting their vegan ranges!
Even though they sell in China they have ensured that they meet the Chinese guidelines but have been able to maintain the PETA approved status.
Does Mary Kay test on animals?
Mary Kay states on its website that it does not test on animals. However there is some research that says it joined many other companies in 1989 that stopped testing on animals but over the recent years it has begun to test on animals to comply with Chinese legislation.
SO for me I would leave this brand well alone, there are so many other great companies that are 100% cruelty free and vegan.
Is Rimmel Cruelty free?
Rimmel London is not cruelty free. Which means that it does test on animals.
How to find the perfect make up brand?
For me I like to go into the make up places ( I know a little tricky right now and not quite the same) However I would much rather try brands that are recommended to me by friends and family or the lovely men and woman who work in the stores.
Now more than ever these people will be tested on their knowledge. As currently we can’t get up and personal with testing the products, even smelling them with a mask on right now I am finding near impossible.
I make sure I know what I am looking for i.e if its a lipstick a rough idea on the shade and if I want mat or shiny etc… I have in my mind the brands that I already love and use but also make sure I state that I only want to buy products that are cruelty free and vegan, that I would like natural and organic products.
If they are a great sales assistant then they should be able to really help you find a great new product, or I find even better if they instantly take you to a brand you already love, as then you know you’ve already got a great makeup brand that is 100% cruelty free.
When I am looking for things online, I ensure I do something similar, I do my research and look around, for how much and how many people have reviewed and recommended. Whilst bearing in mind we are all different especially when it comes to skincare.
For me skincare and makeup brands are the ones that I am totally fine with spending a bit of money on as your face is important. It’s always on display and you want to keep it looking at it’s best.
Here are my current essential skin care brand and their products for the summer that I cannot live without:
01 – Lala Retro Whipped Cream
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream. Replenishing Moisturizer for Skin Protection and Rejuvenation. 1.69 Ounce. – Lala Whipped Cream 50 Milliliters
Amulti-faceted rescue cream, now formulated with ceramides, that provides replenishing barrier support by reinforcing skin’s acid mantle and defending against the effects of everyday stressors.
I absolutely love Drunk Elephant products, they are natural and Vegan and 100% cruelty free. At the moment Lala Whip is my favorite morning moisturizer. It is super hydrating and great after having used Framboos in the evening.
02 – Framboos Glycolic Night Serum
Drunk Elephant Glowy – The Night Kit
Full-size TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum , Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, E-Rase Milki Micellar Water, F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask and Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizing Cream.
So I purchased a small travel size Framboos and it has been absolutely amazing. I have had no break outs since using it. I have the occasional big nasty one which I can feel under my skin normally just before the time of the month and I then add some directly to this area and then the next day it’s gone!
03 – Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser
Drunk Elephant E-Rase Milki Micellar Water– Ultra Mild Formula to Gently Remove Makeup and Bacteria. (8 oz)
A true skin care hero, the Milki Micellar Water is formulated to thoroughly and gently remove makeup, dirt, pollution and bacteria from the face and eye area without sensitization, irritation or stripping your skin’s acid mantle
So this is a great make up remover and or cleanser. Just apply to face and then remove with cloth or eco friendly make up pads.
I also love the Slaai meting make up remover and I can’t wait to try their new Milki cleanser as part of my night time routine!
Here are my current essential Vegan makeup brands and their products for the summer that I cannot live without:
01 – Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara. Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara for Dramatic Lashes.
An all-in-one mascara that delivers endless length, intense volume and sky-high lift for extreme, dramatic lashes that last all day and night.
Hourglass Mascara is perfect for beach days, so hot days. It does not smudge, and it can cope with a bit of water and not move! I love how long it makes my eyelashes look!
02 – Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light. Highlighting Bronzer for a Natural Sun-Kissed Glow. Vegan and Cruelty-Free.
A lightweight bronzer that delivers a candlelit warmth. The unique formula fuses a medium bronze shade with Ambient Lighting Powder in Luminous Light, a champagne pearl powder. Ideal for light/medium complexions.
Honestly, an amazing product this is my cannot live without all year round. But it is great for summer giving your that gorgeous bronzed effect. Hourglass have a huge range of ambient powders so if this color is not quite for you then there are plenty to suit everyone’s complexion.
03 – Vanish Airbrush Concealer
Hourglass Vanish Concealer (Birch)
A skin-perfecting, weightless concealer, this crease-resistant liquid concealer blends seamlessly into skin and diffuses the look of pores and fine lines for a naturally airbrushed look that lasts all day.
This concealer blends so well and it covers/hides anything and everything. Great paired with their foundation as well.
I use this daily it is a god send for my dark circles, making everything bright and concealed.
Natural look:
As you are looking at the image – Right eye no mascara, left eye Hourglass CAUTION Mascara – LOVE! You can add more for a more dramatic eye.
Hourglass Concealer
Hourglass ambient bronzer – a little dusting all over the face.
Pillow talk lippy!
