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Like many college students, I, too, seek solace in my daily TikTok scroll. I’m not sure what your for-you page looks like, but mine is constantly full of beauty influencers raving about their new favorite products, and as summer ends, I am increasingly convinced I need to update my entire makeup collection. From foundation to mascara, it seems there is always a new and improved product to try.
Unfortunately, seldom are these products cruelty-free, meaning their production does not involve animal testing in any capacity. In fact, many mainstream brands that advertise on platforms like TikTok actively conduct animal testing, likely unbeknownst to the charming influencers gushing about their products.
However, just because a product you hear your favorite TikToker raving about is not cruelty-free does not mean you have to miss out on the best fall beauty trends.
I’ve rounded up a list of the best swaps for some of the animal-tested products you might see floating around the internet because, as many of us can agree, no animal’s life should be the cost of a trendy product. Plus, I would argue that some of these swaps perform even better than their animal-tested counterparts.
Foundation
Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15
Saie Glowy Super Skin Lightweight Hydrobounce™ Serum Foundation
The Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Weightless Foundation has been all the rage since it hit the shelves for its light feel and ability to stay put, however, the company continues to fund others to test their products on animals. Not to fear, this is not the only foundation with such attributes. Saie beauty, a brand committed to being cruelty-free, also released a foundation with similar abilities this year. Saie’s foundation includes clinically tested skincare ingredients formulated to provide hydrated, glowy skin. By making this simple swap, you will also save $14!
Mascara
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer
TikTokers around the world fell in love with Maybelline’s Sky High Mascara for its lengthening abilities, but what Maybelline cannot boast is that coveted stamp of being cruelty-free. Brands like Honest Beauty have done what Maybelline has not, and have created mascaras that do not require the sacrifice of an animal’s life. This Honest Beauty mascara provides both lift and length, and in edition to being 100% cruelty-free uses exclusively sustainable packaging and clean ingredients.
Blush
Clé de Peau Beauté Cream Blush
Beautyblender Bounce Liquid Whip Blush
I am convinced half the reason people became so infatuated with this Clé de Peau blush is because the brand name sounds French and fancy, because in reality there are much cheaper blushes made from cruelty-free brands that deliver identical results; for instance, the Bounce Liquid Whip Blush from Beautyblender offers the same pigment and buildability, but is manufactured by a certified cruelty-free brand. The Beautyblender blush is also offered in four shades, and is produced without parabens or sulfates.
Highlighter
Makeup Forever HD Skin Cream Contour and Highlight Palette
Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight
Sure, this Makeup Forever palette has been commended by numerous influencers for its natural finish and easy application, but the brand as a whole persists to test their products on animals, even after other companies have found ways to produce quality products without harming a single animal in the process. One of the companies currently setting the standard for quality cruelty-free products is Rare Beauty, started by Selena Gomez, as they rolled out liquid blushes and highlighters that consistently perform just as well, or even better than mainstream animal-tested products such as the Makeup Forever Palette. In Selena we trust!
Eyeshadow
M.A.C. Cosmetics Connect In Colour (Unfiltered Nudes)
Too Faced Born This Way The Natural Nudes Eye Shadow Palette
Fall is here, and that means plum, burnt orange, burgundy, and brown colored eyeshadows are ready to make their annual return to your makeup routine, but the question remains… What palette will supply your go-to shades this season? Lucky for you, cruelty-free brand Too Faced has produced a palette with every seasonal shade you might desire. Each shade in the palette is highly pigmented, easy to blend, and was formulated to emphasize the skin’s natural undertone.
Hopefully this article helps you find some new cruelty-free products to swap out for your other ones—your furry friends will thank you later!