Finding a gift for someone can be a difficult task and you might think that finding a cruelty-free gift will pose an even bigger challenge. If you have been looking for the perfect gift for the cosmetic connoisseur in your life but still want to be a conscious shopper, look no further. It’s easy to be mesmerized by beautiful packaging and limited-edition beauty products, therefore I know it can be hard to scrutinize how that makeup was created. We’ll look at what cruelty-free means in the cosmetic world and I’ll provide you a list of brands that are ethical when it comes to our furry friends.
Cruelty-Free
In regards to cosmetics in the U.S., the FDA does not require products be tested on animals however, they “advise cosmetic manufacturers to employ whatever testing is appropriate and effective for substantiating the safety of their products.” For a product to be cruelty-free, no form of testing in any way should be conducted on animals during the creation of the product. Typically, when animal testing is being conducted this means chemicals are being rubbed into their skin or dripped into their eyes causing them to suffer (it can be much worse, but I’ll spare you the details). When brands test for cosmetics, they are typically testing on animals like rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and mice. With the advancement in technology, there are plenty of other alternatives to animal testing. Buying cruelty-free means you can rest assured knowing the product was made ethically.
Cruelty-Free vs. Vegan
Makeup products labeled as vegan typically means they are free of any animal derived ingredients and or byproducts. This includes ingredients like beeswax, honey, lanolin, collagen, gelatin and more. Keep in mind however that a product labeled as vegan does not necessarily mean it is also cruelty-free. How do you know if a brand you love is cruelty-free or vegan? You can visit the websites of great organizations such as Peta and Leaping Bunny which provide a listing of brands certified as cruelty-free and or vegan. You can also check the FAQ section of various brands where they typically explain how their products are created and what key ingredients are used. Below, I’ve provided a collage which shows a few of the brands I love that are cruelty-free along with products that make great gifts or stocking stuffers. A few of them are both cruelty-free and vegan. They are divided in two categories: High-End Brands and Affordable Drugstore Brands.
High-End Brands
KKW Beauty x Mario, The Artist & Muse Collection 
Hourglass Cosmetics, Ambient Lighting Palette 
Urban Decay, Holiday Hall of Fame Set 
Tarte Cosmetics, Shape Tape Concealer and Mini Sponge Set 
Fenty Beauty, Glossy Posse Collection 
Kat Von D Beauty, Makeup Obsession Set 
Too Faced, Sex, Gold & Chocolate Set 
Anastasia Beverly Hills, Ombre Brow Kit 
Dose of Colors, Glossy Wonderland Set 
Becca Cosmetics, Your Glow-to-Glow Primer, Highlighter & Lip Kit
Affordable Drugstore Brands
E.L.F. Cosmetics, Best of E.L.F. Kit 
Pixi Beauty, Best of Vitamin-C Skin Treatment 
Jordana, Best Lash Extreme 
Real Techniques, Miracle Complexion Sponge and Travel Case 
NYX Cosmetics, Soft Matte Lip Cream 
Milani, Baked Blush 
Physicians Formula, Rose All Day Glow Squad 
Covergil, Lash Blast Volume Mascara 
Sonia Kashuk, Essential Collection Brush Set 
L.A. Girl, Pro Concealer
