E.l.f
$, Cruelty-free and vegan
E.l.f is arguably the most affordable and accessible makeup brand out there. They have a wide range of products that are loved by professional makeup artists, beauty gurus and more casual makeup users.
Places to find it: Walmart, Target, Ulta, Walgreens, CVS, CSUMB bookstore and online
Cover FX
$$, Cruelty-free and vegan
Cover FX has high-performing, award-winning formulas that work great with all skin types. One of their bestsellers is their Power Play Foundation ($44), which comes in 40 different shades to fit most skin tones.
Places to find it: Walmart, Ulta, Sephora and online
Axiology
$$, Cruelty-free and vegan
For all the lipstick fiends, Axiology is a vegan brand that exclusively sells lip products. Axiology is a fairly new brand and just began selling in Sephoras. It originally started as an Etsy page and is now being sold in 90 stores worldwide.
Places to find it: Sephora and online
Kat Von D Beauty
$$, Cruelty-free and vegan
Kat Von D’s makeup is arguably one of the most well-known vegan brands. One of her bestsellers is the award-winning Tattoo Liner ($20). She is also well known for her Everlasting Liquid Lipstick ($20), which currently comes in 51 different colors.
Places to find it: Sephora and online
EcoTools
$, Cruelty-free and vegan
EcoTools offers a large variety of makeup brushes, sponges and applicators. Not only are they completely cruelty-free and vegan, EcoTools also pride themselves on their products being made from recycled aluminum and plastic. On top of this, their packaging is made from 100 percent tree-free paper, they instead use a mix of 20 percent cotton and 80 percent bamboo fibers.
Places to find it: Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Target, Ulta and online
NYX
$, Cruelty-free and vegan
NYX is another vegan brand that is very easy to find and afford. While slightly more expensive than E.l.f, they also offer a large range of products that feel high-end without the high-end cost attached.
Places to find it: Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Target, Ulta, NYX stores and online
Milani
$, Cruelty-free and vegan
Milani is yet another great option that won’t break the bank. Some of their bestsellers include the Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation ($9.99) and the Baked Blush ($7.99).
Places to find it: Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Target, Ulta and online
Āether Beauty
$$$, Cruelty-free and vegan
Āether Beauty is a new brand that was founded in 2018 and has already won awards for their products. As the brand is still fairly new, it only has a few eyeshadow pallets that each come with 12 unique shadows and cost $58. While these are definitely on the pricier side, Āether Beauty promises that a portion of all sales go to environmental charities.
Places to find it: Sephora, Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom and online
Covergirl
$, Cruelty-free
As of November 2018, Covergirl has been a cruelty-free brand and no longer tests on animals. While not all of their products are vegan, Covergirl is the largest makeup brand to be completely cruelty-free.
Places to find it: Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Target, Ulta and online
Anastasia Beverly Hills
$$, Cruelty-free
While not all of the Anastasia Beverly Hills products are vegan, as they use animal-derived products such as beeswax, they are 100 percent cruelty-free. Anastasia Beverly Hills is best known for their brow products and luckily, all of those products are vegan.
Places to find it: Ulta, Sephora, Nordstrom, Macy’s and online
Wet n Wild
$, Cruelty-free
Wet n Wild is a fully cruelty-free brand and has an extensive lineup of vegan products. While they aren’t completely vegan yet, they are working toward making all of their products vegan. Until their products are fully vegan, they offer a list on their website that shows all of their vegan products.
Places to find it: Walmart, Walgreens, CVS Target, Ulta and online
Too Faced
$$, Cruelty-free
Best known for their award-winning Better Than Sex Mascara ($25), Too Faced offers a variety of different products. All Too Faced products are high-quality and well worth the price. Plus, they’re always scented based on the name of the product. Their Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Pallet ($49) really smells like peaches. While not everything is vegan, they have a list on their website to show which products are vegan.
Places to find it: Ulta, Sephora, Nordstrom, Macy’s and online
Tarte
$$, Cruelty-free
Tarte is well known for their internet-breaking Shape Tape Contour Concealer ($27). Tarte is America’s #1 concealer brand and for good reason. While some of their products are on the more expensive side, Tarte offers high-quality makeup that definitely puts the money to good use. Not all of Tarte’s products are vegan, but they also offer a list of which products are vegan on their website.
Places to find it: Ulta, Sephora, Macy’s and online
Urban Decay
$$, Cruelty-free
Urban Decay’s award-winning All Nighter Setting Spray ($33) is another must-have for any makeup lover. Many of Urban Decay’s products are vegan and they are continuing to find vegan alternatives for products that aren’t vegan yet. They mark which of their products are vegan on their website and have a tab to shop just for their vegan products.
Places to find it: Ulta, Sephora, Macy’s, Nordstrom, JCPenny and online
Becca
$$$, Cruelty-free
Becca’s #1 bestseller is their Ultimate Coverage 24 Hour Foundation ($44). It currently comes in 42 shades. Their Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter ($38) is another best-seller and winner of the 2018 Influenster Reviewers’ Choice award.
Places to find it: Ulta, Sephora, Nordstrom, Macy’s