The act of testing cosmetics on helpless animals is cruel as well as completely unnecessary in 2019, so we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 cruelty free brands you need in your makeup bag.
Unfortunately many of the biggest brands in the beauty industry (L’Oreal, MAC, Benefit, Maxx Factor, Tresseme, Herbal Essances, Nivea) continue this immoral practice. But it can be pretty hard to navigate the beauty aisles and find out which brands are cruelty free and which aren’t. So, here’s a list of my top 10 cruelty free brands/products that will meet your beauty needs without costing the earth and without endangering the lives of our furry friends.
1.) Revolution
This brand shot to fame when it launched it’s £4 ‘Conceal and Correct’ concealer a few years ago with many users claiming that it was almost an exact dupe for the cult concealer ‘Tarte Shape Tape’. Tarte is also a cruelty free brand but the Revolution concealer is a fraction of the cost and is also much easier to get your hands on in the UK. An absolute must in my
makeup bag and once you try it, it will be in yours too.
2.) Barry M
For those girls out there like me that wouldn’t be seen dead without painted nails, Barry M is your go to. All of the Barry M range is cruelty free and I find that they have one of the widest ranges of nail polish colours out there. I particularly love their metallic polishes and their quick drying range.
3.) Morphe
With a new store now opened in Nottingham, the American beauty brand is more accessible than ever. You’ll pay a little bit more for Morphe makeup than you will for the likes of Revolution but the quality and value for money is excellent. Their eyeshadow palettes are super pigmented for impactful and long-wearing colour and they make palettes with colours
to suit everyone. So, whether you’re like me and prefer to play it safe with browns and neutrals, or you like to get a bit more experimental with your make up, you can guarantee there’ll be a Morphe palette to suit you.
4.) Primark
Now hear me out with this one! Primark may not be one of the first places you think of when your makeup bag needs stocking up but it should be! Primark has a huge selection of false eyelashes and is always my first port of call when grabbing a pair for a night out. I can also vouch for their micellar water and ‘Wonder-lash’ mascara. Less than £3 each, cruelty
free and you wouldn’t even be able to tell the difference between their products and some of the bigger brands.
5.) NYX
Another one of my favourite tried-and-tested makeup brands is NYX. Their ‘Stay Matte’ setting spray and HD setting powder are products that I rebuy time and time again. One side note to mention is although they technically don’t test on animals as a brand, they are owned by L’Oreal, who sell their products in China. This means they are required by Chinese law to test on animals in order to sell the product. So ultimately, it’s your call!
6.) Elf
Admittedly, I don’t love everything I’ve tried by Elf but I do really like their ‘Flawless Finish’ foundation. It gives a natural looking but easily buildable coverage and at £7.50 a bottle, it’s student friendly too.
7.) Superdrug
I couldn’t write this list without including Superdrug. I quite literally buy EVERYTHING from Superdrug- my makeup, shampoo, hairspray, makeup wipes etc and that is because all of Superdrug’s own brand products are cruelty free. And they make so many different product ranges, you’re bound to have lots of choice whether you’re looking for a toner or a new moisturiser. Some of my Superdrug faves are the avocado oil shampoo and conditioner and the gentle facial wash from the ‘Simply Pure’ range. Superdrug is student friendly as well as animal friendly because you can get 10% off with Unidays and a Superdrug beauty card!
8.) The Body Shop
I especially recommend this one if you want to treat yourself every now and again, their products aren’t super expensive, but they’re a bit pricier than the likes of Superdrug. But if you ask me, their body yogurts and shower gels are worth it! They come in so many different scents and have a luxury feel to them. The Body Shop also supports the farmers that grow their ingredients as well as being cruelty free – even more reason to buy from them!
9.) KIKO
With a store in Notts, this is another super accessible brand and a one-stop-shop for all your makeup needs. Their prices vary so there’s something to suit everyone’s budget and they have lipsticks, eye shadows and nail polishes in every colour you could ever imagine.
10.) Lush
The slightly crazy but lovely aunt of the beauty world, Lush is most well known for their bath bombs but also make shower gels, moisturisers, makeup and more. And as well as their cruelty free products, Lush do their bit for the planet by reducing packaging where possible and encouraging customers to bring their empty Lush containers back to store so they can
be reused. So when you buy from Lush, you’re supporting two great causes in one purchase!
By Eleanor Davidson