When it comes to mascara, saying no to animal cruelty and animal-derived ingredients has never been easier. In 2023, many leading mascaras are vegan-friendly by default.
We are happy to present our favorite vegan mascaras on the market right now. See which lash effect you are after and then go ahead and make an informed choice.
All mascaras below are vegan and cruelty-free, meaning they are free of animal ingredients and have not been tested on animals.
Best Vegan Mascaras 2023
Here are some of the best vegan mascaras you’ll love. Discover some of the best mascaras from KVD, Too Faced, Tarte, and many other vegan and cruelty-free brands. Achieve long and luscious lashes with the best vegan formulas.
- Best Overall: Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara
- Best Volumizing: KVD Beauty Go Big Or Go Home Mascara
- Best Lengthening: Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
- Best Thickening: Milk Makeup Kush High Volumizing Mascara
- Best Tubing: Merit Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara
- Best Waterproof: Eyeko Beach Waterproof Mascara
- Best Organic: Fifth & Skin Better’n Ur Lashes Organic Mascara
- Best Affordable: Essence Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara
- Best Brown: Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara
- Best Clear: Zuzu Luxe Clear Luxe Mascara
- Best Plastic-Free: Bésame Black Cake Mascara
- Best For Sensitive Eyes: Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara
- Best For Hooded Eyes: Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Mascara
- Best For Thin Lashes: Lune+Aster Cosmic Growth Mascara
- Best Primer: Pür Fully Charged Mascara Primer
Best Vegan Mascara Overall
1. Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara
Better Than Sex is the best vegan mascara. It does it all: gorgeous volume, length, fullness, definition, lift, and curl. And it does it fast. It’s made with polymers that lock the lash curl in place and it doesn’t budge for the whole day. It also strengthens lashes with peptides.
- What we like: the most beautiful volume and definition
- What we don’t like: can sometimes clump
- What other reviewers say: lashes look big and lifted, lengthens, separates, and darkens lashes beautifully, well-designed applicator accesses all lashes, black is rich black, brown shade looks natural
Key ingredients: polymers, peptides, synthetic beeswax, acacia tree gum | Benefits: volume, length, curl | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, ophthalmologist-tested, suitable for contact lenses wearers
Shop on: Amazon, Sephora, Ulta
Best Volumizing Vegan Mascara
2. KVD Beauty Go Big Or Go Home Mascara
KVD Go Big Or Go Home is our favorite vegan mascara for dramatic volume. It’s also the most intense black mascara we’ve ever tried. It has wavy fiber bristles that coat each lash with full coverage. It is smudge-resistant, long-wearing, and powered by plant oils and waxes.
- What we like: rich black pigment
- What we don’t like: some flaking and fallout
- What other reviewers say: high-impact, amped-up volume, good length and pigment, buildable in intensity, sexy clumping effect, easy to remove
Key ingredients: olive oil esters, sunflower seed wax, rice bran wax | Benefits: volume, density | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, long-wearing
Best Lengthening Vegan Mascara
3. Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
Hourglass Caution Extreme is the best vegan mascara for lengthening lashes. It gives the lashes an impressive lift and length without effort. We love that it’s so smooth and buildable. It doesn’t smudge or transfer at all. You’ll get the false lash effect without annoying clumps.
- What we like: impressive length, no clumps
- What we don’t like: tube can dry out fast
- What other reviewers say: long lashes with already one coat, great curl, no smudging or clumping, good wand for separating lashes
Key ingredients: carnauba wax, paraffin | Benefits: length, volume | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, fragrance-free, nanoparticle-free, synthetic dye-ree, oil-free, silicone D5-free, non-GMO, ophthalmologist-tested
Best Thickening Vegan Mascara
4. Milk Makeup Kush High Volumizing Mascara
Milk Makeup’s cult-favorite Kush Mascara is the best thickening vegan mascara. Made with unique heart-shaped fibers, it gives feathery fullness and density to the lashes in every direction. The mascara also has conditioning hemp seed oil that promotes lash growth.
- What we like: lashes look full and feathery
- What we don’t like: not the most long-wearing
- What other reviewers say: lashes look thick and voluminous, beautiful lash extension effect, easy to remove, doesn’t flake
Key ingredients: polymers, hemp-derived cannabis seed oil, synthetic beeswax, acacia tree gum | Benefits: density, volume, length, boosting lash growth | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, gluten-free
Best Vegan Tubing Mascara
5. Merit Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara
Merit has the perfect tubing vegan mascara. The tubing formula wraps and defines each lash giving them weightless volume and length. It’s the best everyday vegan mascara for a natural wide awake look. The formula is smudge-free and made with clean, plant-based ingredients.
- What we like: natural voluminous lashes, no smudging
- What we don’t like: not much volume
- What other reviewers say: natural eyelash look, not dramatic, no smudging under the eyes, easy to apply, not spidery
Key ingredients: tubing polymers, rice bran wax, olive oil esters, vitamin B5 | Benefits: length, definition | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, clean, natural, free of over 1300 potentially harmful ingredients
Shop on: Sephora, Official site
Best Waterproof Vegan Mascara
6. Eyeko Beach Waterproof Mascara
Eyeko Beach Mascara is the best waterproof vegan mascara. You can take this mascara swimming, diving, or exercising on a hot summer day – it won’t budge. The formula is fully smudge-proof. The mascara uses natural coconut oil and gives a beautiful volume to the lashes.
- What we like: truly waterproof, nice volume
- What we don’t like: difficult to remove
- What other reviewers say: praised for being actually waterproof, clump-free volume, great for oily skin, lashes stay curled even after swimming, comes off with micellar water
Key ingredients: coconut oil, fruit extracts | Benefits: volume, curl | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, natural, ophthalmologically-tested, made in South Korea
If you are looking for water-resistant vegan mascara, we recommend the Pacifica Aquarian Mascara. It’s not fully waterproof but it’s a really nice natural mascara. It doesn’t smudge easily and does not sting when it gets to the eyes after swimming or workouts.
Best Organic Vegan Mascara
7. Fifth & Skin Better’n Ur Lashes Organic Mascara
Fifth & Skin Better’n Ur Lashes is the best organic vegan mascara. The plant-based mascara includes a whopping 85% of certified organic ingredients such as coffee powder, rice powder, and sunflower seed oil. It’s clean, natural, and ethically made in the USA.
Natural vegan mascaras are typically not as high-performing as drugstore favorites but you can expect some beautiful volume and pigment from this mascara. The hypoallergenic formula is free of preservatives, artificial colors, and fragrance, and is loved by sensitive eyes.
- What we like: truly organic formula, no nasties
- What we don’t like: not really water-resistant as advertised
- What other reviewers say: clean and plant-based, decent length and thickness, goes on smooth, great for sensitive eyes and people with allergies
Key ingredients: organic coffee powder, rice powder, sunflower seed oil | Benefits: volume, length| Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, preservative-free, organic, natural, clean, fragrance-free, synthetic coloring-free, hypoallergenic, non-GMO, gluten-free, made in the USA, water-resistant
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
Best Affordable Vegan Mascara
8. Essence Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara
Essence Sculpted Volume Mascara is the best affordable vegan mascara. You’ll get deep black, voluminous lashes for only 5 dollars. We love its tapered brush for accessing all lashes. While cheap, this vegan mascara is free of parabens, alcohol, and gluten.
- What we like: beautiful volume, buildable
- What we don’t like: the texture is a bit sticky
- What other reviewers say: best price-quality ratio, doesn’t clump or flake, gives great volume, a bit too dramatic volume for some
Key ingredients: synthetic beeswax, rice bran wax | Benefits: volume, length| Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, alcohol-free
Best Brown Vegan Mascara
9. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara
Lights, Camera, Lashes is the best brown vegan mascara. Initially only available in black, many people asked for a brown version, so Tarte finally made one. It has a beautiful deep brown color and it’s amazing for adding length. It also curls and defines lashes with no clumps or flaking.
- What we like: beautiful brown, great volume
- What we don’t like: can be clumpy
- What other reviewers say: excellent in both volume and length, lashes look big and curled long-wearing, one tube lasts a long time
Key ingredients: olive esters, rice bran wax, carnauba wax | Benefits: volume, length, curl | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, SLS-free, triclosan-free, gluten-free, long-wearing, ophthalmologist-tested, dermatologist-tested, suitable for contact lens wearers
Best Clear Vegan Mascara
10. Zuzu Luxe Clear Luxe Mascara
Looking for a clear vegan mascara for a natural no makeup look? Zuzu Luxe is our pick. This transparent vegan mascara gives your lashes a beautiful lift, curl, and definition. Made with aloe juice and sea fennel extract, it’s clean, natural, and perfectly safe for sensitive eyes.
- What we like: natural lifted look
- What we don’t like: no curl for heavier and straighter eyelashes
- What other reviewers say: beautiful wet, defined look, great for no makeup days, no flaking or turning white, natural formula loved by sensitive eyes
Key ingredients: aloe juice, cellulose gum, panthenol, sea fennel & eyebright extracts | Benefits: curl, lift, definition, shine| Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, natural, paraben-free, phthalate-free, clean, sulfate-free, synthetic fragrance-free, soy-free, talc-free, non-GMO, gluten-free, water-resistant
Best Plastic-Free Vegan Mascara
Bésame Black Cake Mascara is a very special plastic-free vegan mascara. The zero-waste vegan mascara comes in a tin that is reusable and recyclable. Inspired by mascaras from the 1920s, it is also one of the cleanest and most natural vegan mascaras on the market.
The mascara uses a natural plant-based wax that bends with your skin and lashes. It does not flake, peel, or clump. You can even use it as eyeliner or brow filler. It’s oil-free and water-activating, so it does not harbor or grow bacteria once it dries.
- What we like: deep black pigment, eco-friendly packaging
- What we don’t like: messy to use
- What other reviewers say: rich pigment, multifunctional clean product, needs some time to get used to it, works also with a regular mascara applicator, easy to remove
Key ingredients: stearic acid, aluminum starch | Benefits: length, definition| Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, natural, eco-friendly plastic-free packaging, paraben-free, phthalate-free, mineral oil-free, gluten-free, made in the USA, safe for lash extensions and sensitive eyes
Best Vegan Mascara For Sensitive Eyes
12. Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara
Tower 28 has made the best vegan mascara for sensitive eyes. This hypoallergenic vegan mascara is free of fragrance, petroleum, gluten, and additional 1300 potential irritants. Unlike many other gentle mascaras, it has no tradeoffs in volume. The lashes look big and lush.
- What we like: beautiful curl and length, gentle formula
- What we don’t like: dries down a bit hard
- What other reviewers say: no irritation for sensitive eyes, great for both lengthening and thickening, long-lasting, buildable, no glumps, no fallout, locks curl in place, curved applicator enables access to all lashes
Key ingredients: carnauba wax, olive oil esters, sunflower seed wax, castor seed oil | Benefits: length, curl, volume | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, natural, paraben-free, phthalate-free, synthetic fragrance-free, free of over 1300 potentially harmful ingredients, hypoallergenic, ophthalmologist-tested, safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, water-resistant
Best Vegan Mascara For Hooded Eyes
13. Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Mascara
Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes is the best vegan mascara for hooded eyes. It’s also the best vegan mascara for straight eyelashes and Asian eyes. What it does is give amazing volume, length, and curl without transferring to the eyelids or brow bone. No raccoon eyes with this one.
- What we like: best curl with length, smudge-free
- What we don’t like: it’s quite wet (but not runny)
- What other reviewers say: stays on all day, makes small and hooded eyes look bigger, does not transfer, the wet formula allows for better coverage, sweat-proof, great-quality brush
Key ingredients: castor seed oil, carnauba wax, olive oil esters | Benefits: volume, curl, length| Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, dermatologist-tested, ophthalmologist-tested, safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
Best Vegan Mascara For Thin Lashes
14. Lune+Aster Cosmic Growth Mascara
Cosmic Growth is the best vegan mascara for thin lashes. It’s also the best vegan mascara for mature eyes as our lashes get paler and thinner with age. The mascara gives beautiful natural volume and fullness to lashes while boosting lash growth with vitamins and minerals.
Packed with vitamin B5, peptides, and amino acids, this is the best vegan mascara to beautify, strengthen and repair the lashes. PS with thin or mature lashes, see also our choice of the best vegan lash growth serums.
- What we like: mascara and lash growth serum in one
- What we don’t like: can look flakey by evening
- What other reviewers say: gives lashes a great lift and density, good for length, wet formula easy to apply, visibly works for lash growth as well
Key ingredients: vitamin B5, peptides, carob tree amino acids | Benefits: length, density, boosting lash growth | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, natural, paraben-free, phthalate-free, carbon black-free, gluten-free, dermatologist-tested, allergy-tested
Shop on: Amazon, Bluemercury
Best Vegan Mascara Primer
15. Pür Fully Charged Mascara Primer
Pür has the best vegan mascara primer. It has a mascara-like texture that glides on smoothly and adds considerable length and volume to the lashes. The mascara stays put for the whole day without flaking. Plus, it’s made with clean ingredients that are gentle to the eyes.
- What we like: enhances the volume of mascara
- What we don’t like: not the stronger curler
- What other reviewers say: goes on smooth, adds great volume and makes lashes pop, doesn’t irritate the eyes, pairs best with the Pür Fully Charged Vegan Mascara
Key ingredients: carnauba wax, vitamin B5, sunflower seed oil | Benefits: volume, length, curl, conditioning| Features: vegan, cruelty-free, clean, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, petrolatum-free, mineral oil-free, talc-free, gluten-free
What Is Vegan Mascara Made Of?
Vegan mascara does not include any animal-derived ingredients such as guanine or beeswax. Vegan mascaras are not tested on animals or include components tested on animals.
The most common non-vegan product in mascaras is guanine also known as pearl essence. Derived from fish scales, it adds a shimmer that mascara does not need. Alternatively, guanine can be replaced by vegan shine agents like mica.
Another well-known animal ingredient in mascaras is beeswax. The function of beeswax in mascaras is to stiffen and lengthen the lashes. Instead of beeswax, vegan companies use different plant waxes such as carnauba wax.
If you are looking to buy vegan mascara, you need to be attentive. Most mascaras on the market do still contain beeswax or guanine. To be on the safe side, look for mascaras with a certified vegan label or pick a mascara from our list.
What To Look For In Vegan Mascara?
When shopping for vegan mascara, you should pay attention to a few things. A good vegan mascara is as natural as possible and enriched with a few good nourishing ingredients. So you get the result plus boost your lash health.
Parabens, sulfates, and mineral oil in mascaras are not automatically harmful but it is better to avoid having harsh additives near your eyes. If you have sensitive eyes, you should also keep away from common allergens like gluten or soy.
To condition and nourish your lashes, choose a vegan mascara that includes some plantbased extracts, peptides, and plant oils. If you want your vegan mascara to stay on longer, also use a vegan mascara primer.
How We Review Vegan Mascaras
Here is what we expect from the vegan mascaras we consider listing in our article:
- Ingredients: A good vegan mascara should avoid harsh chemicals such as parabens and phthalates, they are simply not needed.
- Effect: Either the vegan mascara is volumizing, lengthening, or thickening, it should deliver on at least one of its promises.
- Staying power: A vegan mascara should not clump, smudge, or flake – even the most natural formulas should stay perfectly put for at least a few hours.
- Applicator: Vegan mascaras can often be judged by their applicator. Whether it’s a silicone wand or a classic brush, a good applicator should enable access to the tiniest of lashes and fit a variety of eye shapes and sizes.
- Price: We list vegan mascaras in every price range from luxurious options to cheaper drugstore vegan mascaras. No mascara should not cost a fortune, including vegan ones.
Why Trust Us
Vegan Avenue has been reviewing vegan mascaras since 2021. None of our reviews has been incentivized by the brand or a retailer. We list our favorite vegan mascaras based on personal experience and peer recommendations.
FAQ About Vegan Mascara
Vegan mascara is free from animal ingredients, most commonly guanine and beeswax. Vegan mascara is also not tested on animals.
Vegan mascara is as good as non-vegan mascara. Animal ingredients like beeswax can easily be replaced by plant waxes for equal results.
The best vegan mascara is Too Faced Better Than Sex. It is volumizing, lengthening, curling, and smudge-free.
The best vegan mascara brands are KVD Vegan Beauty, Milk Makeup, and Merit. These companies are 100% vegan and have a good mascara selection.
There is a wide selection of vegan mascaras available on Sephora, Ulta, and Amazon. See our list of the best vegan mascaras you can order online.
No. ILIA’s Limitless Lash mascara is not vegan and contains beeswax.
No. Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara is not vegan and uses beeswax.
No. Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara contains beeswax. Lash Princess Sculpted Volume and Curl Mascara are vegan.
The best double-ended vegan mascara is RevitaLash Double-Ended Volume Set.
The best vegan mascara for men is Perricone MD No Makeup Mascara. It’s natural-looking and clump-free.
No. L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Mascara is not vegan. L’Oreal Paris mascaras are never vegan since the company uses animal testing.
No. None of Lancôme’s mascaras is vegan since the company tests on animals. The same goes for most other popular mascara brands such as Maybelline, L’Oreal, Chanel, and Dior.
Summary
We are pleased that vegan mascara is growing in popularity. By switching beeswax to plant waxes, you will not even notice the difference. But animals will.
Hopefully, one of our recommended vegan mascaras will find its way into your makeup bag. Along with a vegan eyelash primer.
As we try out new vegan makeup all the time, we will keep this list updated with the best vegan-friendly and cruelty-free mascaras.
See also: Vegan Eyeliners
Article updated on April 29 (2023): After some testing, we changed the best affordable vegan mascara from Covergirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara to Essence Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara. Essence’s mascara clumps less and is also cheaper.
Article updated on April 29 (2023): Changed the best waterproof vegan mascara from Pacifica’s Aquarian Gaze Mascara to Eyeko Beach Mascara. The latter is more effective for the purpose.
