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The recent controversy surrounding Nars’ decision to start selling its products in China, a country that mandates animal testing on some foreign cosmetics, has put the conversation about so-called cruelty-free beauty products front and center. It’s daunting enough to find the right products to add to your regimen, but if your mission is to only purchase from brands whose testing practices don’t harm animals, you’ve got your research cut out for you.
What can be especially tricky is that each company and consumer defines the phrase “cruelty-free” in a different way. Some brands may not test their products or any ingredients on animals in the United States, but their parent company may sell other brands they own in countries like China that do require animal testing.
Advocates in this space don’t really agree here — some think that if a brand itself doesn’t test its products or any of its ingredients (or contract out to other companies to do so) on animals and doesn’t sell in China, that’s enough to call it “cruelty-free,” while others also hold the parent company accountable.
To help you figure it out, there are companies like Leaping Bunny that have their own certification requirements. Cruelty-Free Kitty is a great resource and maintains a frequently updated list, as does PETA, but it’s definitely a complex issue.
None of the beauty companies below test on animals. In addition, these companies do not sell their products in China or other countries with similar laws. Some of them are even vegan, meaning they contain no animal byproducts like beeswax or carmine, a dye derived from beetles. We’ve called out some favorite indie brands, as well as the best products within each line.
Lush
You’ve probably seen (or smelled) a Lush store in your local mall. Lush sells fun, high-quality bath and body products, including lotion, shower gel, bubble bath, and makeup. The products are handmade, and the brand touts a “safe” ingredient profile.
Silky Underwear ($9.95)
This jasmine-scented fine powder is a must in the warmer months, as it wicks moisture just about anywhere on your body. Sprinkle some on your thighs to prevent the dreaded summertime chafing, or in between cleavage to combat excessive sweatiness.
Bubble Bars ($7.95-$11.95)
Everyone knows Lush’s bath bombs are, well, the bomb. But there’s a new kid in town that combines the luxury of a bomb with the playfulness of bubble bath. Crumble this bar under running water for creamy bathwater and soothing bubbles. My personal favorite is The Comforter ($11.95), with its bright pink hue and fruity scent.
Eyeko
This brand is all about the eyes, from liners to shadows and everything in between. Eyeko even has celebrity fans like Alexa Chung and Jennifer Lawrence.
Eye Do Mascara Lengthen & Strengthen ($26)
After trying out nearly every mascara from drugstore to designer, this one took first prize by a landslide. It’s neither clumpy nor flaky, since the brush collects just the right amount of product to prevent spider lashes. It more than delivers on its promise to lengthen.
Brow Gel ($25)
This water-resistant gel conditions and thickens your brows in addition to tinting them. With just enough color to give you a naturally polished look and all-day staying power, this has quickly become my go-to when I want to look pulled together, but not overdone.
Girlactik
Founded by a former Hollywood makeup artist, Girlactik’s products feature glitter and glow. While this may be an indie brand, it's gained the attention of famous faces like Britney Spears and Beyoncé.
Invisible Shadow Primer/Eraser Liner ($17)
This little stick does double duty as an eyeshadow primer and a corrector to fix that winged eyeliner that got a little out of control. Apply the tip of the crayon wherever you need a cleanup and simply wipe the product away with a Q-tip.
Le Cremé Lipstick ($22)
Available in six richly pigmented colors, this lipstick is both creamy and hydrating. It stays put and, when used with the right liner, lasts through most of the day. My favorite thing about this product is probably the heavenly red guava scent.
Most of Mitra’s bath and body care products feature unrefined shea butter as the core ingredient. It’s a woman-owned business that the founder launched after her daughter started suffering from allergies and skin irritation.
Cucumber Mint Foaming Scrub ($16)
Made with shea and organic brown butter, this sugar scrub gives you just the right amount of exfoliation without being gritty or harsh. It left my skin incredibly smooth, and the clean, melon scent alone is worth the buy.
Ultra Nourishing Hair Oil ($12)
This smoothing oil can be a leave-in treatment, and it also claims to prevent hair loss. For more textured hair, work through ends for easy styling. Those with finer hair can leave in overnight and wake up to a healthy dose of softness.
Au Naturale Cosmetics
Developed by a former nuclear analyst, Au Naturale aims for complete transparency in all aspects of its business and is working toward stricter regulations on cosmetics throughout the country. AIl of Au Naturale’s products are also vegan.
The All-Glowing Creme Highlighter Stick ($35)
Available in three shades, this super sheer highlighter gives you a sparkling glow and hydrates your skin with seed oils. You can apply using a foundation brush, or swipe the stick across the areas of your face you want to highlight.
Eye Enhancing Palette ($58)
These kits contain shadows curated to enhance the color of your eyes with shades like champagne and copper for blue eyes, violet and opal for green eyes, and army green and golds for brown eyes. Each kit includes four eyeshadows, an eyeliner pencil, two brushes, and expert advice from a celebrity makeup artist on how to achieve each look.