Vegan mascaras? As a makeup artist of 10 years now its crazy to be able to finally mix my two biggest life passions – veganism and the beauty industry! What makes a great mascara or a crappy mascara? How about what’s inside mascara that isn’t vegan?
I’ve been psyched to do this post for you guys! Now, first, as a disclaimer what one person may love in a mascara someone else may easily not enjoy. Mainly because everyone’s lashes are different textures and lengths! Meaning, someone with short stumpy lashes (like myself) may really appreciate the thickness of a formula as it helps to bulk up our skinny little lashes. Someone with long luscious natural lashes may dislike that because it may add TOO much bulk and easily look spidery. Not the goal!
What’s Inside Regular Mascara That’s NOT Vegan?
- Guanine/Pearl Essence = scales of fish that are scraped off and soaked and crushed in alcohol creating a substance that gives mascara (and nail polish, actually) a shiny sheen.
- Beeswax/Honey Comb = also known as cera alba or cera flava. The process begins by melting the honeycomb with water and then straining it where we’re left with a very sticky concentrated residue. The residue is used in mascaras as a binding ingredient, something that makes the formula not separate.
- Panthenol = a provitamin of B5, used as a lubricant and a moisturizer, again lending the shiny look to mascaras as well as aiding in the holding of the curl.
- Shellac = a resin, coating derived from the lac insect gives a glossy effect to mascara. “It takes around 300,000 bugs to extract 1 kilogram of lac resin – so you can imagine just how many insects are killed each year. (India happens to be the largest producer of shellac in the world).” (veganfirst.com)
- Lanolin- a waxy substance that’s secreted from sheeps glands to help keep them warm by protecting their skin and their fur. Cosmetic companies use Lanolin allllll the time, again acting as a moisturizing ingredient. You’ll see this one a lot in lip balms.
Let’s break down the best VEGAN mascaras in the industry!
This list won’t be ALL drugstore or ALL pro. We’re including everyone in the game here!
**This post may contain affiliate links, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you, these are all products I recommend, I won’t put anything on this page that I haven’t verified or personally used.**
The List!
Too Faced: Better Than Sex Mascara ($25)
Okay, as an artist this is a CULT fav AND this is a personal fav (I always alwaysssss have this mascara on hand.) I enjoy trying new things, but JUST in case the new things don’t work like the old things….Better Than Sex has my back. I’ve used this for years and years on both myself and my clients. For a no BS mascara with guaranteed no flaking, we’re all over it. Two swipes with that wand and you’ll truly have….better than sex….lashes. AND it’s vegan! WINNER!
Tarte: Lights Camera Lashes Mascara ($23)
Lights Camera Lashes has great reviews from thousands. This is one, to be honest, I’ve never actually tried but many of my makeup friends swear by this! It’s for sure another cult favorite in the industry so I did feel it was worth mentioning. Tarte’s description of the mascara says it will bring length, volume, and curl to every lash! We love it!
PUR Big Look Mascara ($21)
PUR has been an up and happening brand over the last few years. I’ve had more and more clients ask me opinions on this clean line! My response? LOVE their vegan mascara!!! This has argan oil in the formula and gives the lashes almost a black sheen. It’s incredible! This does have a plastic applicator for those of you who prefer the traditional spoolie – this is not it! However the plastic applicators I’ve found work wonders for those with naturally longer lashes, which very sadly, I don’t have. Lucky b’s.
Pacifica Stellar Glaze Mascara ($14)
Pacifica has busted the door down as far as vegan cosmetics go! The entire company boasts all vegan products! We love it! Pacifica actually has two vegan mascaras and both come in different colors! This particular mascara comes in both brown and black and has wonderful reviews for adding length to lashes!
Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Water-Resistant Mascara ($14)
This is Pacifica’s waterproof mascara! This formula contains vitamin b, and coconut oil perfect for nourishing the natural lashes. I’ve worn this a number of times and loved it every time I wore it. This mascara is advertised to those who wear mascara while exercising (you brave humans) and is guaranteed to not run or sweat off while YOU sweat! Pretty cool!
ELF Lengthening and Volumizing Waterproof Mascara ($4)
ELF is another all-vegan line in the cosmetic industry! They actually have TWO vegan mascaras that we’re going to chat about because both are worth mentioning! This mascara is actually one of the main staples in my pro kit. I have a variety depending on my client’s needs. However, if applying falsies I use this mascara to blend my client’s natural lashes in with her new falsies! Perfect blend every time. Being only $4 I was hesitant as I didn’t want any flaking to happen for my clients with their big nights out. ELF Waterproof held strong and therefore has been a staple in my pro bag for a very long time!
ELF Volumizing and Defining Mascara ($3)
I found this worth mentioning as well. I use the one listed above much more, but this was a really great steal for the price as well. I’ve used this many many times and while I do think it doesn’t hold as well as the waterproof sister version, I did enjoy wearing this. Some people are very sensitive to the ingredients which makes a formula waterproof, so if you are one of those people – meet your new fav!