Top 6 Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands on a Budget

Beauty should be a fun experience for everyone involved, including those in the process of making it. It’s important to pay attention to the ethics of the products you use. In addition to finding fair-trade and sustainable products, it’s also important to think about the ethics of animal treatment. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or a classic omnivore, everyone can recognize that animals don’t need to be harmed in order to find that glow. Here are some of the top cruelty-free beauty brands on a budget that you can check out!

1. KVD Vegan Beauty

Topping off on the slightly more expensive side of the spectrum, KVD Vegan Beauty can be a great choice for some of your staples. With their classic tattoo eyeliner for $21 and most of their lip products falling somewhere around $20 , this can be a great way to treat yourself while staying high quality and cruelty-free. 

2. Cover Girl

That’s right, this drugstore mecca is cruelty-free. Although they haven’t always been on the vegan wave, they went cruelty-free in 2018 and haven’t looked back since. Sometimes, being sustainable and ethical is all about heading to the drugstore and snagging that $7 mascara in a pinch.

3. Wet n Wild

Wet n Wild is another drugstore brand you might not expect to be cruelty-free. However, they have been for quite some time. Wet n Wild is pretty much the go-to for any number of glittery treats and fun colors, including $15 eyeshadow sets and brushes starting at $9. They even have nail products and makeup sponges!

4. ELF Cosmetics

ELF is definitely a budget beauty guru’s paradise, and they also happen to be cruelty-free. Not only do they have the basics to set your face, but they also have a few wild cards to make things pop. Their sheer slick lipstick is only $5, and their fan-favorite primer is only $9! They’ve even ventured into skincare recently, with an entire line of cruelty-free skincare products. 

5. Glossier

Getting a little higher up in price than the drugstore bargain bin, Glossier is another brand to turn to for some staples or to treat yourself, still without busting the budget. Their all-purpose balm dot com skin salve is only $12 and their boy brow fluffer is just $16 — enough for a bit of a splurge for something you find worth it. 

6. The Ordinary

Okay, so this one is mostly skincare, but it’d be remiss not to include The Ordinary. This skincare company knows what’s good for your face, and on a serious budget. Their niacinamide serum is just $6, and their rosehip oil is only $8. Plus, they also have foundation and a few other makeup items to top off your natural routine. 

Cruelty-Free on a Budget

There are so many amazing beauty brands out there, including plenty of brands that fall into the bargain category. From the drugstore aisles to a little treat every now and then, you can turn your beauty bag entirely leaping-bunny certified in no time.