Are you looking for an ethical way to enhance your eye lashes? Cruelty free mascara is a perfect solution, delivering long-lasting and voluminous results with fewer animal testing practices.
Non-toxic ingredients and natural formulas make sure that the application process is kind not only to animals but also to your skin. In this blog post, we review our top five picks of cruelty free mascaras available on the market today – so you can enjoy longer looking lashes without having to compromise on high quality standards or ethics. Read on to find out more!
We take the guesswork out of finding the best products. Each product was individually selected by our editors. Some may have been sent as samples for us to try out for ourselves and some we combed through thousands of reviews to find, but all opinions in this article are our own.
P.S. LindsaysReviews may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something at no extra cost to you (that's how we stay in business and keep bringing you the best finds to save you time).
How We Chose The Best Cruelty-Free Mascara
When selecting the best cruelty free mascaras, we considered a few key factors. Firstly, all of the products had to be 100% vegan and not contain any animal derivatives. Additionally, all of the brands had to test their cosmetics on animals only when required by law.
The factors we took into account when assessing the quality of the mascaras included their overall performance, opacity and staying power. We also looked at the ingredients used to ensure they were non-toxic and gentle on sensitive skin. Finally, we checked out customer reviews to get a better understanding of user satisfaction.
With these criteria in mind, here are our top five picks of cruelty free mascara.
Vivienne Sabó Paris - Classic Everyday Mascara
Why It's Our Top Pick
This cruelty-free mascara from Vivienne Sabó is the perfect everyday option for those who want to achieve a natural, clump-free look. The smudge-proof and long lasting formula ensures that your lashes will stay looking fuller and more defined all day long.
The petite wand coats each lash evenly, making application hassle free. Plus, the product is never tested on animals and comes with a satisfaction guarantee. Overall, it’s an excellent, cruelty-free option for those looking to enhance their lashes.
All The Details
Vivienne Sabó Paris – Classic Everyday Mascara is the perfect go-to for everyday glamour. This light weight and lengthening mascara has a unique formula that helps to define and volumize your lashes with just one coat, without clumping or leaving flakes behind. It’s smudge proof and long lasting, making it perfect for all-day wear.
It’s easy to apply with its petite wand that coats each lash separately, and the formula is gentle enough to not damage your lashes when you remove your makeup. Plus, Vivienne Sabó Paris – Classic Everyday Mascara is cruelty free, never tested on animals. And, it’s backed by a 100% satisfaction and money-back guarantee, so you can shop with confidence. Discover why Vivienne Sabó Paris – Classic Everyday Mascara is a must-have for all the beauty lovers out there.
Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara
Why It's Our Top Pick
It creates 10 times more volume instantly, comes in four different shades, and has a zero-clump formula. It will give you full and voluminous lashes with its patented volume-boosting hypoallergenic mascara formula and patent-pending brush. It is Leaping Bunny Certified by Cruelty-Free International, meaning it is never tested on animals.
Lash Blast Volume Mascara is our top pick because of its high quality and natural look that will leave you feeling beautiful and confident. With this mascara, you can create any look you want - from subtle to dramatic - with ease.
All The Details
It features a unique formula and patented brush that work together to provide amazing volume in just one swipe. Plus, it's available in four shades to customize your look - from subtle definition to statement-making volume. The hypoallergenic formula is also safe and gentle enough for sensitive eyes, so you can wear it without worry. With Lash Blast Volume Mascara, your lashes will look lush and full in an instant!
The volumizing mascara coats each lash evenly with no clumping or flaking, while delivering up to 10x more volume. Whether you're looking for a subtle enhancement or an all-out glam look, Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara is your go-to product for beautiful lashes. So get ready to be blasted with instant volume and mesmerizing length - in just one simple step.
Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer
Why It's Our Top Pick
Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer is a great choice if you’re looking for an award-winning, natural-ingredients mascara that can provide your lashes with extreme length and volumizing effects. This double-sided mascara plus lash primer is specially designed to give you the ultimate length and volume without compromising on safety.
It comes in a 100% tree-free paper carton for added sustainability. The best part? You don’t have to compromise on quality either - this amazing mascara is made with Jojoba Esters and is completely paraben and silicone free.
All The Details
Honest Beauty's Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer is an award-winning, best-selling double-sided mascara that provides ultimate length and volume to lashes. The unique formula contains natural jojoba esters to condition and coat each lash with a thickening film. Its sleek black packaging allows you to quickly apply the product with precision. It's ophthalmologist-tested, cruelty free and EWG certified.
The primer side of the mascara helps to prime and condition lashes, creating a perfect base layer for building length and volume. The mascara side is designed to deliver long-lasting color without clumping or smudging throughout the day. The brush can be used either vertically or horizontally to create definition in the inner and outer corners of your eyes.
Milani Highly Rated - 10-in-1 Volume Mascara
Why It's Our Top Pick
Highly Rated Mascara is a revolutionary mascara that provides 10 amazing benefits in one stroke. It lengthens, builds, lifts and dramatizes for sky-high lashes in an instant! The Elite brush is designed to coat the lashes from root to tip and gives sleek even saturation which combs and separates each lash for maximum volume and definition.
This mascara is also formulated with plant-based ingredients that protect and condition lashes, making them look beautiful all day long. Highly Rated Mascara is our top pick for those looking to create beautiful, long lasting volume and definition in their lashes.
All The Details
This iconic formula is highly rated and lengthens the lashes with just a single stroke. The Elite brush coats the eyelashes from root to tip, providing sleek and even coverage while separating and volumizing each lash.
The plant-based formulation is free from parabens, D5, TEA, alcohol or perfume and provides long lasting results with no smudging, flaking or clumping. 94% of users saw doubled lash thickness, 91% experienced dramatic volume in one stroke and 91% achieved instant curl and lift in the lashes. For best results, the mascara may require initial priming on first use by pumping the brush into the vial to distribute the product evenly.
Milani's Highly Rated 10-in-1 Volume Mascara is an essential item for all beauty lovers who want to experience dramatic, voluminous and lengthened lashes with just one stroke.
Wander Beauty Mile High Club Length and Define Black Mascara
Why It's Our Top Pick
It’s a Volumizing mascara that also adds intense black pigmentation to your lashes. This smudge-proof, water-resistant mascara is incredibly easy to remove with soap and water—it won't tug and pull at your delicate skin.
With natural ingredients like Peach Leaf Extract and Castor Oil, it strengthens and conditions lashes for long-term protection. It's been voted Allure's Best Mascara and is a Refinery29 Beauty Innovator Award Winner for Best Mascara. Reach new heights with Wander Beauty.
All The Details
Wander Beauty Mile High Club Length and Define Black Mascara is an Allure Best of Beauty Winner, the best selling mascara in the US and Refinery29 Beauty Innovator Award winner. This volumizing and lengthening black mascara uses a precise wand to grab every lash for maximum length and fullness with just one swipe. Formulated with nourishing and conditioning lash-loving ingredients, this hypoallergenic mascara is free of petrolatum, sulfates, gluten, parabens and coal tar.
The intensely pigmented black mascara formula gives lashes a traffic-stopping look that won’t smudge or flake throughout the day. Peach Leaf Extract, Castor Oil and Trehalose nourish lashes while lifting and separating for a dramatic look. Mile High Club is cruelty free and ophthalmologist tested for safety, so you can feel good about wearing it.
Best Cruelty Free Mascara FAQs
Does Maybelline have a cruelty-free mascara?
No, Maybelline does not have a certified cruelty-free mascara. Maybelline is owned by L'Oreal, which is not cruelty-free and tests its products on animals when required by law. It is important to note that, just because a product is not certified cruelty-free, it does not necessarily mean that the ingredients or final products were tested on animals.
Is wearing mascara everyday damaging?
Wearing mascara every day can be damaging if you don’t remove it properly. When left on overnight or not washed off correctly, bacteria can build up and cause eye infections. It is important to use a gentle cleanser to ensure the skin around your eyes isn't irritated.
What can I use instead of mascara?
If you want to avoid using mascara, there are other ways to make your eyes look brighter and more awake. You can use an eyelash curler to give your lashes a lift before applying natural oils like castor oil or almond oil to the tips of your lashes. This can help promote lash growth and thickness over time. You could also try adding a few individual false lashes to the outer corner of your eye for an exaggerated look.
How can I make my eyes look pretty without mascara?
There are a few makeup tricks you can try to make your eyes look pretty without mascara. Adding some light colored eyeshadow in the inner corner of your eye and blending it outward will help make your eyes look brighter. You could also use a white eyeliner pencil on the waterline to make your eyes appear bigger.
How long is too long for wearing mascara?
It is generally recommended that mascara be replaced every three to four months. Wearing mascara for longer than this can increase your risk of eye infections due to bacteria build-up in the applicator brush. Mascaras do not last forever and their formula may start to break down, making them less effective over time.
How many coats of mascara is too much?
When applying mascara, it is best to start with one coat and then gradually build up the volume and length. Applying more than three coats of mascara can make your lashes look clumpy and heavy. It is also important to use a waterproof formula if you plan on wearing mascara for an extended period of time. This will help ensure that your mascara does not smudge or flake throughout the day.
How do you remove mascara naturally?
The best way to naturally remove mascara is by using a combination of coconut oil, castor oil and olive oil. Just mix equal parts of each oil together and apply it to your lashes with a cotton swab. Gently massage the mixture into your lashes to break down the mascara before using warm water and a gentle cleanser to wash it off. This method is gentle on your skin and won't irritate the delicate area around your eyes.
How can I lift my eyelashes without mascara?
If you want to lift your eyelashes without mascara, you can use an eyelash curler. Just apply a light layer of waterproof mascara to hold the curl and then use a lash curler to gently press your lashes upward for a few seconds. You can also try applying some natural oils like castor oil or almond oil to the tips of your lashes to help promote growth and thickness. This will give you longer and fuller lashes without having to use mascara!
Is it healthier to not wear mascara?
It is generally healthier to not wear mascara every day as it can cause bacteria build-up and lead to eye infections if left on overnight. However, if you are careful with your removal routine and use a gentle cleanser, wearing mascara regularly should not have any adverse health effects. Be sure to replace your mascara every few months to avoid potential bacteria build-up.
Best Cruelty Free Mascara For You
In conclusion, when it comes to cruelty-free makeup products and cosmetics, mascara should be one of your top priorities. These five best cruelty free mascaras offer numerous features that will make your makeup experience different and special.
Whether you’re looking for a volumizing formula, an intense black hue, thickening technology or something that is sweatproof and smudgeproof, you are bound to find several beneficial qualities in any of these remarkable cruelty free mascaras. So don't wait any longer - enhance the look of your eyes with the best cruelty free mascara that suits your individual needs today.
And check out these mascara primers for a flawless look!
Lindsay Sewell
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