We all know that lipstick cheers up the face. So the last thing we want is a lipstick with a grim backstory.
In 2023, we are reading labels more closely and making sustainable choices. And we love a good vegan lipstick that is free from animal-based ingredients.
The lipsticks that we present to you below are all vegan and cruelty-free. And we bet you will find your new favorite shade from here. Let’s dive into it.
What Makes Lipstick Vegan?
Vegan lipstick does not include any animal-derived ingredients such as carmine, beeswax, or lanolin. Vegan lipstick is not tested on animals and it does not include components tested on animals.
The most common non-vegan ingredient in lipsticks is carmine, also known as cochineal. It’s a red dye made out of crushed insects. In vegan lipstick, carmine is replaced with beetroot extract or anthocyanin pigments found in plants.
Lipstick may also include beeswax. Instead, vegan brands use carnauba, candelilla, or soya waxes. Also, look out for lanolin – a moisturizing agent known as sheep sweat. Good vegan replacements for lanolin are shea and mango butter.
It is highly probable that most lipsticks on the market contain at least one of the ingredients mentioned. To make kinder choices, look for products with a certified vegan label or pick a lipstick from our list.
What To Look For In Vegan Lipstick?
When buying vegan lipstick, pick one that includes some good-quality oils like shea butter or avocado oil. A vegan lipstick without hydrating and nourishing ingredients is a missed opportunity for your lips.
As with all lipstick, your vegan lipstick should also match your skin tone. While fair complexion pairs better with raspberry shades, olive complexion rocks a more rusty kind of red. Same goes for all other lipstick colors.
If you are thinking whether do for a liquid vegan lipstick or a traditional stick option, there is not a big difference. Liquid lipstick just allows for a slightly better precision. For a long-lasting result, we also recommend you use a vegan lipstick primer with both.
Best Vegan Lipstick Brands
Here are our top brands for vegan lipsticks. These companies are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and use only the best natural and clean ingredients. From glossy to matte, from warm to cold shades – these brands have it all.
Milk Makeup
Milk is a vegan makeup brand from New York. The brand makes the best vegan lipsticks that are packed in pigment and nourishing plant-based ingredients.
Bite Beauty
Canadian brand Bite Beauty is also entirely vegan and cruelty-free. As the name suggests, they’re experts in lip beauty with amazing lipsticks, tints, and crayons.
KVD Beauty
Vegan lipsticks from KVD promote fearless self-expression with bold shades and high-impact formulas. The vegan brand is founded by beauty icon Kat Von D.
The Lip Bar
The Lip Bar is the holy grail of vegan lip beauty. This Detroit-based, female-owned brand offers easy-to-apply lipsticks and lip glosses that are paraben-free.
Juni Cosmetics
British brand Juni makes plastic-free vegan lipsticks from natural organic ingredients. The luxurious beauty brand is fully vegan, sustainable, and ethical.
The Ultimate Best Vegan Lipsticks 2023
Here are some of the best vegan lipsticks you’ll absolutely adore. Achieve irresistible lips cruelty-free with KVD, BareMinerals, Tarte, Milk, and many other professional makeup brands.
Bite Beauty Power Move
We are obsessed with Bite Beauty’s lip crayons. It is like the best matte vegan lipstick and lip balm rolled into one. Just one swipe and your lips get a boost of rich color and hydration.
The crayons include pomegranate extract and mango butter to nourish your lips and pack them with antioxidants. The lipstick is also free of lead, sulfates, parabens, and gluten.
Thanks to the slim design and built-in sharpener, the crayon is super easy to apply.
❀ vegan brand ❀ matte color ❀ nourishing ingredients
Milk Makeup Lip Color
If you are looking for a more classic option, this vegan lipstick from Milk is just perfect. It has a smooth texture, beautiful range of pigments, and a covetable semi-matte result.
This lipstick has great hydrating ingredients such as shea butter and coconut oil. Grapeseed oil and mango seed butter are there protect your lips from environmental stressors.
LIke all high-quality vegan lipsticks, it is free of harsh additives you may typically find from drugstore lipsticks.
❀ vegan brand ❀ semi-matte color ❀ nourishing ingredients
KVD Beauty Studded Kiss
This creamy lipstick is a go-to among vegans. It’s rich, high-pigment, super soft, paraben-free, beeswax-free. It’s crazy-comfortable and lasts well.
The lipstick is made with smooth, spherical pigments with a revolutionary base formula. As a result, the lipstick has a shimmery, plumping effect that looks gorgeous.
Bright colored shades of this vegan lipstick vary from red to purple to black. Definitely a must-try vegan product.
❀vegan brand ❀ bright color ❀ wide range of shades
BareMinerals BarePro Longwear
This mineral vegan lipstick is so soft and weightless. Yet it delivers the perfect matte finish that wears for up to 8 hours. And it is packed with premium plant ingredients.
Baobab oil, jojoba wax and sunflower seed wax nurture your lips. Luxurious raspberry and blackcurrant seed oils defend them against environmental damage.
The best part – it goes on creamy and smooth but dries matte.
❀cruelty-free brand ❀ matte color ❀ long-wearing formula
Tarte Tarteist Lip Paint
Tarte’s vegan makeup is always pretty great. And we can’t move past this one. It’s a super quick-drying liquid vegan lipstick that stays on all day.
The lip paint uses mineral pigments that are deeply concentrated for a full-coverage opaque color. The vibrant matte result is stunning.
We also love that the lightweight mineral formula allows your lips to move without drying out or cracking. Plus, it does not transfer.
❀cruelty-free brand ❀ matte color ❀ long-wearing formula
Matte Vegan Lipstick
Matted lips are a beauty trend for a reason. No matter the color – matte lips are edgy, bold, and always in fashion. Here are our favorite vegan matte lipsticks right now.
❀ Bite Beauty Lip Crayon
❀ Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé
❀ The Lip Bar Liquid Matte
Red Vegan Lipstick
Red lips look great on every woman. These are the best cruelty-free and vegan red lipsticks 2023. All carmine-free and made with beautiful plant-based pigments instead.
❀ Juni Cosmetics Lola
❀ BareMinerals Mineralist
❀ The Lip Bar Cosmo
Nude Vegan Lipstick
Looking for a great vegan nude lipstick? These selected vegan lipsticks come in delicate nude shades of brown, beige, and pink for that perfect understated look.
❀ Kaja Air Heart Natural Lipstick
❀ Inika Organic Rose Lip Tint
❀ Ilia Natural Color Bardot Nude
Liquid Vegan Lipstick
Lipstick does not have to be a screw-out pencil. A liquid lipstick that uses an applicator can even offer a better precision. Here are some of the best liquid vegan lipsticks ever.
❀ Rare Beauty Lip Souffle
❀ The Lip Bar Bawse Lady
❀ KVD Beauty Everlasting
Affordable Vegan Lipstick
Cheap vegan lipsticks can be still amazing, especially liquid ones. You can get many shades at once without going broke. These are the best affordable vegan lipsticks for less than $10.
❀ E.l.f. Liquid Matte
❀ NYX Lip Lingerie
❀ Milani Bold Color
Hypoallergenic Vegan Lipstick
If you have sensitive lips, steer clear from lipsticks that include strong lip-plumping extracts like peppermint oil or capsaicin.
Explore these best hypoallergenic vegan lipsticks for sensitive lips from Gabriel Cosmetics, Ecco Bella, and other natural brands.
❀ Ella + Mila Velvet Matte
❀ Gabriel Cosmetics Lipstick
❀ Ecco Bella FlowerColor
Vegan Lipstick Primer
Eating, drinking, talking, or kissing – your lipstick is put to test all day long. To make your lipstick last longer, we cannot recommend these vegan lipstick primers enough.
❀ Bite Beauty Line & Define
❀ Urban Decay Glide-On
❀ Colourpop Lippie Stix
FAQ About Vegan Lipstick
Vegan lipstick is a lipstick free from carmine, beeswax, and other animal ingredients. Vegan lipstick is also not animal tested.
In vegan lipsticks, carmine is usually replaced with pigments from fruits and vegetables such as beetroot extract.
100% vegan lipstick brands include KVD Vegan Beauty, Milk Makeup, and Bite Beauty.
The best selection of vegan lipsticks is available on Amazon and Sephora. See our favorite vegan & cruelty-free lipsticks that you can order online.
No, MAC lipsticks are not vegan. They include animal ingredients like carmine and beeswax. Also, MAC as a brand does animal testing.
Summary
Lipstick is one of the essential items in your makeup bag. Maybe even the most important one. A good long-wear and high-pigmented lipstick will always save the day.
We’re hoping you found your go-to vegan lipstick from this list. We love the selection of Milk Makeup, KVD, The Lip Bar, and other cruelty-free brands. As more makeup brands and lipstick lines come out, we are sure to try them all.
See also: Best Vegan Makeup, Best Vegan Mascaras, Vegan Foundations
