In a market containing approximately a gazillion products, it can be difficult to navigate the tricky path of what is accessible, affordable, good value and high quality. Add in a layer of ethical responsibility, and the scene can be a nightmare.
2016 proved an interesting year for cruelty-free cosmetics, with cosmetic giant Estee Lauder acquiring previously independently owned, cruelty-free brands Becca and Too Faced.
As a parent company, Estee Lauder does sell products in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law for any cosmetic to be sold. Even if the products and ingredients themselves are not tested on animals, this fact means the brand cannot be considered cruelty free.
Too Faced issued a statement that they would always remain cruelty free, but this doesn’t change the fact that any money spent on the brand does in fact go towards the parent company.
What a person chooses to buy is entirely up to them, and though many cruelty free shoppers will continue to buy from Too Faced, there are others who will not purchase for a brand with a parent company that allows the use of animal testing.
Being a conscious consumer is important, so if you’re feeling like some brands are a little two faced, here is a run down of some of the best 100% cruelty free cosmetic brands, with a large majority – if not, all – of their products also being vegan.
ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS
Known primarily for their life-changing brow products, the pro brand has expanded naturally and effortlessly to provide an incredible array of high quality, beautiful cosmetics. The eyeshadow quality is impeccable, their highlighters are some of the best available, and their brow products are firm favourites for a damn good reason.
My favourite products:
– Glow Kits in Sweets and Moonchild;
– Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette;
– Dipbrow Pomade – I use the shade Ash Brown.
BY TERRY
By no means the cheapest option when it comes to buying your cosmetics – they sell a cult $82AUD lip balm – but if quality is what you’re looking for, then By Terry is a solid bet. They’re an independent company, not owned by any parent company, and completely cruelty free, not selling in Mainland China.
My favourite products:
– Ombre Blackstar Eyeshadow Sticks in shades Misty Rock, Bronze Moon, Black Pearl and Frozen Quartz;
– Sun Designer Palettes – I love shade Tan and Flash Cruise 1.
CHARLOTTE TILBURY
This shamelessly opulent makeup artists line is nothing if not gorgeous, but if you want a slice of old school glamour and quality to match the exceptionally beautiful exterior, then Charlotte Tilbury really can’t be beat.
My favourite products:
– Filmstar Bronze and Glow;
– Light Wonder Foundation;
– Eyeshadow Quads;
– Swish and Pop Blushes;
– Matte Revolution Lipsticks.
COVER FX
This 100% vegan brand has carved itself a nifty niche in the makeup world, offering innovative and interesting products different to what many other brands put out, rather than regurgitating the same ol’ stuff over and over.
My favourite products:
– Custom Cover Drops;
– Custom Enhancer Drops, Moonlight, Celestial;
– Cream Contour Kit in G Light Medium.
HOURGLASS
Famous for their luxe powder products, the independent company is 100% cruelty free, and largely vegan, spare a few products.
My favourite products:
– Ambient Lighting Powders in Luminous Light, Diffused Light and Ethereal Light;
– Ambient Lighting Blushes in any shade really, but my favourite is Incandescent Electra;
– Mineral Veil Primer;
– No 28 Serum Primer;
– Brushes – All vegan and cruelty free, and of the upmost quality.
KAT VON D
Kat Von D has always been cruelty free, but midway through 2016, the brand reformulated many of it’s products to ensure they were in line with the namesakes vegan lifestyle. With some of the best eyeshadows on the market, and a liquid lipstick line to die for, her edgy aesthetic stands apart on the spectrum of makeup brands.
My favourite products:
– Shade and Light Eye Contour Palette;
– Pastel Goth Eyeshadow Palette;
– Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks, they’re all pretty fantastic, pick your favourite colours;
– Lock It Hydrating Primer.
KYLIE COSMETICS
Say what you will about the always controversial Jenner/Kardashian clan, but there is no denying 19-year-old Kylie is a savvy business woman. Her cosmetic range is surrounded by more buzz than a beehive, but the quality of many of her products lives up to the hype, and then some. To top it off, the products come up reasonably affordable as far as mid-range Australian makeup pricing goes, just remember to save up and do one big order to get the free shipping.
My favourite products:
– Lip Kits in Posie K, Koko K, Love Bite, Kristen, and Koko Kollection;
– Burgundy Kyshadow Palette.
MARC JACOBS BEAUTY
Though the fashion design house Marc Jacobs may use animal products to create their clothes, bags, and other fashion items, Marc Jacobs Beauty exists as an entirely separate entity – from their fragrances, too – and the cosmetics brand is entirely cruelty free. With some of the nicest powder products on the market, and some of the sleekest packaging.
My favourite products:
– Air Blushes, all the shades! They’re really great. But I do especially love Lines and Last Night, Flesh and Fantasy, and Lush and Libido. Yes, the names are ridiculous;
– #Instamarc Light Filtering Contour Powder in 10 Mirage Filter.
The polar opposite of the sometimes cheap and nasty lipsticks you find on the shelves at the local pharmacy are without doubt the Nars Audacious lipstick formula. These lipsticks are a little swipe of luxury, and are without doubt my favourite formula of lipstick I’m yet to try.
VANITY CLAIRE 