14 Apr Clean and Compassionate: Exploring Cruelty-Free Makeup

If you don’t know by now, I am a huge animal lover, so it would behoove anyone that is as well, to explore cruelty- free makeup .

What Makes A Brand Cruelty Free?

I am going to be trying a brand on Instagram and it had me thinking, I bet there are many more brands out there that are cruelty-free that there were 10 years ago. And in my research, realized, there were quite a few options.

What makes a brand cruelty free?

According to website, Cruelty Free Kitty, these are their criteria-

• Finished products are not tested on animals on any company or any other company.
• Ingredients: Their ingredients are not tested on animals by the company or any other company.
• Suppliers: Their suppliers do not test ingredients, raw materials, or finished products on animals.
• Third Parties: No third party is testing their finished products or ingredients animal on their behalf.
• Required by Law: They don’t test on animals where the law requires it, and are not sold in mainland China.

If you are interested in cruelty free makeup, you may not even be aware of the ones that are. I use Charlotte Tilbury and Urban Decay, both of which are cruelty free. Ms. Tilbury’s line certainly isn’t budget friendly, but I am inclined to continue to purchase a few things from her because of this reason.

How do they test if not on animals?

From my research, the testing is, according to the site, Greenmatters, 

These could include anything from researching well-established scientific literature and studies, raw material safety testing, or even controlled human-use, says the FDA. “

The main consideration is some of this is not regulated, and there are companies that “Greenwash” saying that their product is “cruelty free”, when it is just using past scientific data, which was using animal testing, to update their new status as cruelty free.

Alternatives to animal testing can include human tissue testing, cell cultures, computer models. Scientists can use cell cultures to create animal or human cells, or humans can donate their tissue, thus acting as a more humane way than animal testing.

What I Use

I am an Urban Decay fan and have 3 of their eyeshadow pallets. They last forever, and the pigmentation of these are fabulous.

These are the ones I use:

Naked 3– palette with spring pinks and matte shades. Mine is nearly gone, as I used it so often.

Naked HEAT- This is one of my go tos, especially in the Fall and Summer months, with rusts, mustards, burnt oranges.

Not makeup, but skincare, The Ordinary, is not only a very inexpensive and effective line, they are also cruetly- free. I use these products:

Hyaluronic Acid  

This set which includes caffiene

( helps the morning under eye bags)

Argeline Solution – for wrinkles. I use on my forehead.

Anastasia Beverly Hills is cruelty free, and before I got my eyebrows microbladed, I would use her eyebrow pencil. I love that this one is angled.

Another cruelty free line I use is ELF. They are known for their inexpensive price point but have some great products. I have a fair amount of their makeup brushes and recently bought this:

Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter- This is wonderful and a dupe I wrote about in THIS POST . You want a bit of glow? I use it in the corners of my eyes and on the cheekbone. A Holy Grail product!

Love ELF’s Putty Blush . I am a cream blush wearer, as I like how it wears and blends on my mature skin. These little pots you can pick up nearly in every color! I have this one. 

I haven’t transitioned my foundation yet, as I am looking into one I think would work with my skin. I have heard great things about this brand, ILIA, and may be interested in trying this True Skin Serum Foundation. I am fair toned with cool undertones.

Their colorblock lipstick looks quite good as well and is highly pigmented. I put it on the must try list!

I also love the look of their multistick that would make a great blush or lipcolor.

Some other brands you may be interested in if you are just dipping your toes into cruelty free makeup are:

Marc Jacobs Beauty

Milani ( where I found many Charlotte Tilbury dupes in this post)

NYX ( I love their products especially the lip liners)

Olaplex- I get an Olaplex treatment when I get my hair done. Fabulous products to keep your hair in great condition.

Smashbox

And for a more extensive list of the cruelty free makeup lines check out the website: Cruelty Free Kitty

I’d love to hear if you try cruelty-free makeup and if so, what brands? Let me know in the comments?

Have a great weekend!
Jess xx