Mascara is one of those makeup items that some of us are on the hunt for until our dying day. We likely have a go-to, but continue to search for the best of the best.
Whether your lashes are naturally thick and long or short and sparse, we all want volume, length, and curl. Even with promises of 400X the volume and all-day wear, our favorites end up falling short of our dream lashes.
On top of that, some of the most-loved mascaras in the beauty community come from brands that are not cruelty-free. That means you have to decide between your morals and fantastic, fluttery lashes. Or do you?
Even though Benefit and Maybelline make amazing mascaras, they are not cruelty free. Plus, they aren’t the only ones making amazing mascaras. There are plenty of cruelty-free brands that have mastered the art of mascara. Whether you want more length, volume, or waterproof perfection, there is a cruelty-free mascara for you.
Not only is this mascara my personal favorite, but I have never heard a bad word spoken about it. This mascara has a slight hourglass-shaped brush with soft bristles that hug each lash with a coating of lightweight mascara that will not drop your curl. The brush does it all: it separates, defines, lengthens, and thickens your lashes. You can feel secure about your fabulous lashes because this formula will not smudge or flake without a waterproof makeup remover.
If your lash goal is drama, this mascara is for you. This simple and classic brush packs a punch you wouldn’t believe. Don’t be fooled by the sleek and traditional packaging—this mascara will blackout your lashes while instantly pumping up the volume on even the sparsest of lashes.
It’s all in the name. This mascara is the perfect balance of wet and dry. It builds up without clumping, but dries fast so you don’t have to worry about sneezing and messing up your makeup.
The cone-shaped brush lets you get into the inner and outer corners with ease and keeps your lashes lifted all day. Plus, it isn’t a nightmare to remove like other long-wearing formulas.
Essence is an affordable, cruelty-free, and vegan beauty brand that has created a cult-favorite, 5-star mascara. Beauty gurus compare it favorably to formulas going for over $50, but you can pick it up for less than $5. The brand’s original Lash Princess was a star of their line, but this one is bigger, better, and bolder.
You didn’t think we could get cheaper, did you? Well, we can and we did. This stellar mascara continues to fly under the radar. It is $3.99 and wildly impressive. It fans out the lashes, has a mousse-like texture, and never clumps.
You won’t believe it until you see it for yourself.
Mascara does not have to be morally corrupt, expensive, or difficult. There are some wonderful cruelty-free mascaras right at your local drugstore. You may just be overlooking them for new packaging, fancy marketing, and hype.