Table of Contents
A lot of people are opting to go vegan for their health, the environment, or both. If you’re considering this lifestyle change but still want to wear makeup, then you’ll need to find a mascara that does not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
We’ll walk you through how to find the right vegan mascara for your needs and give you recommendations of some of our favourite products on the market today.
Comparison table: 5 best vegan mascaras
 Ecco Bella Natural Mascara Winner in the category Best for sensitive eyes | Characteristics Brand: Ecco Bella Store; Color: Brown; Waterproof: False; Item Form: Liquid; Package Form: Tube Benefits All-natural mascara formula utilizes clay and flower cutins to natural wrap around lashes; Free, paraben-free, gluten-free and fragrance-free; Include a convenient mirrored tube for on-the-go application; Long-lasting, yet not waterproof; Jump to the detailed review |
 Tarte Cosmetics 4-in-1 Natural Mascara Winner in the category Best waterproof mascara | Characteristics Brand: Tarte; Color: Btg; Waterproof: False; Item Form: Pencil; Package Form: Tube Benefits Water-resistant; Contains vitamin B, olive oil, jojoba seed oil, black currant seed oil, and sunflower wax esters; Travel size Jump to the detailed review |
 Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara Winner in the category Best for long lasting effect | Characteristics Brand: Superhero; Color: Black; Item Form: Liquid; Package Form: Tube; Item Volume: 5 Milliliters Benefits Holds eyelashes curled for up to 12 hours; Free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances; Wand is hourglass-shaped; It comes in black and brownish-black shades; Jump to the detailed review |
 Smashbox Super Fan Mascara Winner in the category Best for fanning-out volume | Characteristics Brand: Smashbox; Color: Black; Waterproof: False; Item Form: Liquid; Item Volume: 10 Milliliters; Benefits The formula is infused with rosemary, green tea leaf extract, and vitamin E; It has protective wand to keep the brush clean between uses; It comes in two colors: black and brown Jump to the detailed review |
 PÜR Big Look Mascara Winner in the category Best for lengthening and conditioning lashes | Characteristics Brand: PÜR MINERALS; Color: Black; Waterproof: True; Package Form: Tube Benefits The formula contains no parabens, phthalates, and sulfate; Voluminous lashes with one coat; Strong fragrance; Jump to the detailed review |
What is vegan mascara?
Vegan mascara is a type of mascara that does not contain any animal products or by-products. This means that the ingredients and formulas are all vegan-friendly, making them safe for those with allergies or sensitivities to traditional mascaras.
Also, many people choose to use vegan mascaras because they align with their personal beliefs surrounding animal rights.
How do I choose the right vegan mascara for me?
The most important thing to consider when choosing a vegan mascara is your personal preferences. Mascaras come in all shapes, sizes, and formulas so it’s up to you what kind of look you’re going for.
Things to consider include:
- The type of brush
Some mascaras come with curved or flat brushes while others have tiny bristles.
The curved brushes are great for getting into smaller spaces, like the corners of your eyes. Flat brushes give more volume to lashes while tiny bristled brushes allow you to style your eye makeup in a way that’s unique and individualized to you.
- The formula
Mascaras can be water-based, oil-based, or wax-based.
Water-based mascaras are great for those with sensitive eyes as they tend to be less irritating. However, they can also be more difficult to remove and may not last as long on the lashes.
Oil-based mascaras are known for being extremely black and volumizing but they can also be a bit greasy. They’re typically easy to remove but may not be the best option for those with sensitive eyes.
Wax-based mascaras can offer a ton of separation and definition to lashes, along with good volume. However, they are more likely to clump and flake during the application or throughout the day since they’re made up of waxes and oils.
- The thickness
Some formulas are thin and others thick; it all depends on what you like best.
Thin formulas are easy to apply and can be layered for a more dramatic look. Thick formulas provide more volume and may be better for those with short or sparse lashes.
- The price range
Vegan mascaras come on all budgets, from high-end to drugstore brands. Choose one that you feel fits into your budget (and is worth the money).
Once you’ve considered these factors, it’s time to choose the mascara that’s right for you. Below are 13 of the best vegan mascaras on the market.
13 best vegan mascaras
Ecco Bella Natural Mascara
Ecco Bella Natural Mascara is a vegan, water-based mascara that is free of synthetic fragrances, dyes, and preservatives. It volumizes and lengthens lashes while also being gentle on the eyes. This product comes in a recyclable glass bottle and has a wand with medium bristles. It’s also designed to be safe for contact lens wearers.
Ecco Bella Natural Mascara is easily removed with water and does not clump during the application or throughout the day, allowing your lashes to look soft and natural without any flaking. It can last up to eight hours before you need a touch-up.
Tarte Cosmetics 4-in-1 Natural Mascara
Tarte Cosmetics 4-in-1 Natural Mascara is a vegan and cruelty-free option that is also gluten-free. It lengthens, curls, volumizes, and conditions lashes for a natural look.
It is water-resistant and contains vitamin B, olive oil, jojoba seed oil, black currant seed oil, and sunflower wax esters.
The mascara wand is a thin comb with short bristles that grab lashes to keep them separated while the formula dries. It goes on smoothly without clumping or flaking, and the formula is weightless.
IT Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara
IT Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara is made with aloe vera and is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.
IT Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara holds a curl for up to 12 hours. It comes in black and brownish-black shades; both are vegan-friendly.
The wand on this mascara is hourglass-shaped and has short bristles that are tightly packed together. The formula is a bit wetter than other mascaras, so it can be challenging to get the desired volume and curl. However, once you do get everything in place, the results are very natural-looking and long-lasting.
Smashbox Super Fan Mascara
Smashbox Super Fan Mascara is a vegan and cruelty-free mascara that lengthens, volumizes, and curls your lashes. The unique fan brush design separates and coats each lash for a dramatic look.
The formula is infused with rosemary, green tea leaf extract, and vitamin E for a healthy lash look. The mascara also has aloe to help condition your lashes as well as sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer which attracts moisture from the air to keep your lashes soft.
Superfan Fanned Out Mascara comes in two colours: black and brown. It is packaged with a protective wand cap to keep the brush clean between uses.
PÜR Big Look Mascara
PÜR Big Look Mascara is a great option if you are looking for a vegan mascara that will give your lashes length and volume.
The formula contains no parabens, phthalates, and sulfate which are common ingredients found in traditional mascaras that many people avoid when considering vegan options.
The brush is designed to give you big, voluminous lashes with one coat and the formula itself is lengthening and conditioning. But if you have sensitive eyes, this may not be the right mascara for you as it does have a strong fragrance.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is one of the best-selling mascaras on the market. It’s a lengthening and volumizing mascara that is formulated without any animal-derived ingredients. The formula is free of parabens, phthalates, and sulfate. It is also hypoallergenic for those with sensitive eyes or skin conditions.
It comes in black and brown shades that are designed to complement any eye color or skin tone. Reviewers appreciate the soft-touch application process for long-lasting results without irritation. It does an excellent job of separating lashes and giving a dramatic effect with little messiness involved.
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
If you’re looking for a high-quality mascara that will give your lashes volume and definition, then look no further than this product from Urban Decay. It’s also one of the most affordable options out there, so it’s a great option for those on a budget.
The mascara’s brush is large and curved, which makes it easy to get all of your lashes. The formula isn’t clumpy or too wet; in fact, the exact opposite-it dries quickly so you don’t have a mess on your hands when you’re done applying it.
When used daily, this product will keep your eyelashes looking great. It’s water-resistant and is a long-lasting formula that will make your eyes pop without irritating them or causing any smudging throughout the day.
Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Water-Resistant Mascara
Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Water-Resistant Mascara is a vegan and cruelty-free mascara that is easy to apply. Its water-resistant formula helps hold curls in place while lengthening your lashes.
The product is made with natural ingredients including Vitamin B-12, vitamin C, bamboo extract minerals, and more. The best part about this treatment is the lack of clumps or flaking that comes with other mascaras.
The price point of this mascara is much higher than others, but if you are looking for a cruelty-free option that doesn’t need touchups throughout your day then it may be worth the extra cash.
Milk Makeup KUSH High Volume Mascara
Milk Makeup KUSH High Volume Mascara is a vegan and cruelty-free mascara that is made with hemp oil. It promises to give your lashes high volume and length. This mascara comes in black, brown, and blue, and it has a brush designed to coat each lash evenly.
This is a great mascara for giving your lashes volume, and it is also easy to apply. The only downside is that it does not add much length to your lashes.
Jordana Best Length Extreme Lengthening Mascara
Jordana Best Length Extreme Lengthening Mascara is a great vegan option for those looking to achieve length. This product is water-resistant, smudge-proof, and leaves lashes soft to the touch. It is also long-lasting. The formula is not clumpy, which is great news for those who want a natural look.
The brush has an hourglass shape that allows you to get into the corners of your eyes without smudging or pulling on lashes. It’s easy to apply mascara using this brush shape, but it can be hard on sensitive eyelids.
This mascara comes in black and navy blue colors as well as brown.
NYX Professional Makeup Doll Eye Mascara
NYX Professional Makeup Doll Eye Mascara is one of the best vegan mascaras on the market. It is a non-irritating, hypoallergenic formula that provides intense volume and length for all-day wear. The brush features carbon black bristles to deliver spectacular color definition without clumping or flaking throughout the entire day. This mascara can also be used as an eyeliner.
It is available in waterproof formula and a regular version. The main ingredient used to make this mascara vegan-friendly is acacia Senegal gum, which comes from the African Senegalese tree; it does not contain beeswax or animal byproducts of any kind.
This product has been reviewed as most effective for lengthening eyelashes without clumps, smudging, or flaking.
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara is a vegan, volumizing, and lengthening mascara. It is made with a buildable formula that provides extreme volume and length. The brush is designed to coat each lash evenly from root to tip for an intense black look.
It is made with Vitamin E to protect your lashes from drying out as a result of clumping. The texture is also very lightweight for comfort on the eyes even after long use. It has been formulated without parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
e.l.f. Eye Enhancing Mascara
e.l.f. Eye Enhancing Mascara is a vegan and cruelty-free mascara that’s also made with 100 per cent natural and organic ingredients. The all-diamond formula helps you achieve long, voluminous lashes without clumps or smudging for a more defined look that won’t ruin your makeup throughout the day.
The vegan mascara does not have an overwhelming scent to it, so if you’re sensitive to fragrances, this could be a great option for you. It’s also made with hypoallergenic ingredients, so it won’t irritate your eyes and is safer to use even if you have sensitive or dry skin.
Benefits of using vegan mascara
There are many benefits to using vegan mascara. Some of the key benefits include:
- Appearance
Vegan mascaras typically give you a more natural look than non-vegan mascaras. They also tend to be less clumpy and provide better coverage.
- Health
Many vegan mascaras don’t contain harsh chemicals, meaning they’re better for your health. Also, it is a good option for sensitive eyes.
- Environment
Many vegan mascaras are made from recycled plastic and don’t contain animal byproducts. This lowers the amount of waste in our landfills and oceans.
- Animal rights
By using vegan mascaras, you’re supporting companies that don’t test on animals or use animal-derived ingredients.
Summary
When it comes to makeup, mascara is one of those products that can make your eyes stand out and look amazing. And when you’re going vegan or cruelty-free, there’s an additional factor — is this a product I could use if all other options are off-limits? Fortunately, there are tons of vegan mascaras you can try.
Also, vegan mascaras have a lot of benefits such as it gives you long-lasting wear, high volume, curl, excellent coverage, an easy removal process.
FAQ
👁 What is vegan mascara?
Vegan mascara is a type of mascara that does not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
🧐 How do I choose the right vegan mascara for me?
When choosing a vegan mascara, it’s important to consider your specific needs. Do you want a mascara that lengthens and volumizes your lashes? Or do you need something that will give your lashes extra definition and hold a curl? Consider the ingredients in the mascara and what results in you’re hoping to achieve.
✅ What are some of the best vegan mascaras on the market?
Some of the best vegan mascaras on the market include Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Water-Resistant Mascara, Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara, and PÜR Big Look Mascara. These brands offer a variety of different formulas to suit every need.
❓ Are there any other benefits to using vegan mascara?
In addition to being cruelty-free, many people find that vegan mascaras perform better than traditional mascaras. They often have longer staying power and don’t smudge or flake as easily.
