In 2023, we seek all things vegan. When it comes to mascara, you can find a long list of products powered by plants. Saying no to animal cruelty and animal-derived ingredients has never been easier.
We are more than 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. We stan a conscious beauty lover.
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 really 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 and soya waxes.
If you are looking to buy vegan mascaras, you need to be attentive. Most mascaras on the market do still contain beeswax or guanine. To be sure, look for products 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 keep away from common allergens like gluten.
To condition and nourish your lashes, choose a vegan mascara that includes some plantbased extracts, vegan collagen, or some luxurious oils. If you want your vegan mascara to stay on longer, also use a vegan mascara primer.
Best Vegan Mascaras 2023
Here are some of the best vegan mascaras you’ll absolutely love. Discover some of the best mascaras from KVD, Elf, Too Faced, Tarte, and many other vegan and cruelty-free brands. Achieve long and luscious lashes with the best vegan formulas.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara
Looking for a vegan mascara to volumize your lashes to the max? Too Faced Better Than Sex high-end mascara is intensely black. So you can have the sexiest and most defined lashes ever. It is volumizing, lengthening, and perfect for curl.
The mascara works with a film-forming polymer that locks curl in place. Acacia Senegal tree extract sets the volume and plant collagen imparts a plumping effect. Better Than Sex is also paraben-free and gluten-free. What can get better than this?
❀ cruelty-free brand ❀ great for volume ❀ intense pigment
Kat Von D Go Big Or Go Home Mascara
This Kat Von D vegan mascara goes to extreme lengths naturally. This 100-percent vegan formula contains a blend of plantbased waxes. Together with olive and sunflower oils, they provide the base for extreme volume.
Also, if you are looking for a fluff brush, this might be a good choice for you. It has wavy-fiber bristles that coat each lash with full coverage. It is smudge-resistant, long-wearing, and powered by mighty plant-based fats.
❀ vegan brand ❀ great for volume ❀ natural ingredients
Milk Makeup Kush High Volumizing Mascara
This high-volume vegan mascara is made with unique heart-shaped fibers. Perfectly located, they give your lashes a long-lasting fullness in each and every direction. And of course, the fibers add beautiful volume.
Kush mascara also has conditioning hemp-derived cannabis seed oil that good for lash growth. It also contains pure pigments for that intense black finish we are always looking for.
❀ vegan brand ❀ great for volume ❀ lash growth boosting
Merit Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara
Merit Clean Lash is the perfect everyday vegan mascara. It lifts lash hairs weightlessly, defines and lengthens them for a wide-awake look. No smudge, no clump. The brush catches and separates every lash.
This natural vegan mascara beautifully combines the desired effect with nourishing ingredients. Rice bran wax adds structure and length. Fatty acids and olive oil esters hydrate and condition your lashes.
❀ vegan brand ❀ great for length ❀ natural ingredients
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
Looking for a high-end vegan mascara that delivers bold and extreme lashes without much effort? That is what Hourglass founder Carisa Janes needed as well. So she created it.
The mascara is an all-in-one makeup product. It’s perfect for length, intense volume, and a sky-high lift for dramatic lashes. Although it leaves you with an extreme finish, it is still smooth, buildable, and super easy to apply.
❀ cruelty-free brand ❀ dramatic volume ❀ buildale formula
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara
This vegan mascara comes from one of the most famous makeup brands ever. The mascara is lengthening, volumizing, and conditioning. It delivers a 35 percent increase in curl and it also happens to be great for sensitive eyes.
We love this mascara because it really stays on. Even up to 24 hours. It is smudge-proof and totally flake-free. The natural formula is also free of sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, phthalates, mineral oils, and triclosan.
❀ cruelty-free brand ❀ great for curl ❀ clean ingredients
Bésame Black Cake Mascara
Besame Cake Mascara is truly special. Inspired by a mascara from the 1920s, it is one of the cleanest vegan mascaras on the market. The mascara is plastic-free, oil-free, and water-activating. It does not harbor or grow bacteria once it dries.
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. The zero-waste mascara comes in a tin that is reusable and recyclable.
❀ cruelty-free brand ❀ plastic-free ❀ natural ingredients
Hypoallergenic Vegan Mascaras
No more tearing up or red eyes. Here are the best vegan mascaras for sensitive eyes. These hypoallergenic formulas are free from harsh chemicals and allergens. You can get beautiful lashes without irritating your eyes.
❀ Fifth & Skin Naturlash
❀ Gaya Vegan Mascara
❀ Ecco Bella Natural Organic
Affordable Vegan Mascaras
It can be difficult to find the perfect mascara which will not break the bank. Thankfully, there are many brands that carry a wide variety of affordable vegan mascaras for under $20. And we are more than happy to bring them to you.
❀ Covergirl Lash Blast
❀ Milani 10-In-1 Volume
❀ Essence What The Fake
Waterproof Vegan Mascaras
Waterproof vegan mascara is your best pal on a hot summer day. Or when your best friend is getting married. For every special situation, here are some of the best waterproof vegan mascaras. No more black paint running down your cheek.
❀ Blinc Original Tubing Mascara
❀ Milk Kush Waterproof Mascara
❀ Too Faced Waterproof Mascara
Clear Vegan Mascaras
Want a no-makeup kind of look? Then, transparent vegan mascara is the answer. Clear vegan mascaras can give your lashes as much fullness and length as pigmented ones. For naturally beautified lashes, we recommend these mascaras.
❀ E.l.f. Clear Brow & Lash
❀ Zuzu Luxe Clear Mascara
❀ Essence Clear Lash & Brow
Best Vegan Mascara Primer
We can only paise vegan mascara primers. Eyelash primers boost the lift, curl, and volume of your mascara while also extending the wear. And what a better way to do it than with a primer that is 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
❀ KVD Beauty Epic Curl
❀ PÜR Fully Charged
❀ Milani Violet One
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 totally 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 and Amazon. See our list of the best vegan mascaras you can order online.
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
