With so many makeup and skincare brands on the market, it can be really challenging to find the brands that align with your ethics while keeping you looking your best. Whether you’re looking for vegan products, cruelty-free lines, or just environmentally-friendly finds, here are some top-notch products I’ve been loving lately that won’t break the bank or your heart:
1. e.l.f. Cream Blush Palette
I have loved e.l.f. products for a while now, especially considering their insanely cheap prices and ready availability. But did you know that they are also a vegan and cruelty-free brand? Their cream blush palette that I found recently at TJ Maxx for under $4 has been a godsend in keeping me bright and dewy. Not to mention I haven’t broken out from any of the shades… which can be a rarity for my super-sensitive and acne-prone skin. Definitely a win-win!
2. Bare Minerals Original Foundation
If you are looking for a natural, subtle foundation that lets your skin breathe yet is still buildable and evens out skin tone, you must try mineral makeup. Bare Minerals is a tried and true brand that I’ve been using for years, and there’s no reason to change things up. Their original foundation powder has SPF and skin-nourishing minerals, not to mention a really wide variety of shades. And don’t worry about breaking the bank… this foundation powder lasts forever and is only about $20 per jar.
3. Badger Damascus Rose SPF 25
My face hates sunscreen. For as long as I can remember, putting sunscreen on my face has either burned, itched, or broken me out like no other. I’m also super wary about the active ingredients in my sunscreen because there are some seriously unsafe chemicals that have been shown to kill sea life and contribute to coral reef decay… yikes. I have FINALLY found a face sunscreen that keeps me protected but also uses super nourishing and safe ingredients, again without breaking the bank. This sunscreen smells like lavender and keeps my face matte and protected from harmful rays. Yay!
4. Pacifica Mascara
I have also been using this same brand of mascara for years, and is probably the makeup product that I have re-bought the most. The huge fluffy wand gives me immense volume without any clumping whatsoever, and it’s super easy to wash off at the end of the day, which I love. And of course, vegan and cruelty-free. Maybe the best part about this product is that it can be easily found in places like Target and drugstores!
5. NYX Control Freak Eyebrow Gel
Finding this product about a year ago has changed my eyebrow game for the better. I didn’t know what fluffy eyebrows did for me until I stumbled upon this eyebrow gel, and I don’t think I’m ever going back. It holds each and every hair in place all day without making my eyebrows feel stiff or crunchy, and it’s also dirt cheap and vegan/cruelty-free. Bonus: all of NYX’s products are cruelty-free and there are a ton that are vegan!
6. LilyAna Naturals Vitamin C Serum
I just recently bought this serum about two months ago to help with my acne hyperpigmentation, and so far I have seen awesome results. It really helps my spots to heal much more quickly and just brightens my skin tone. It has also helped lighten my super-dark under eye circles! It’s a little more on the pricey side for a serum at around $20, but it’s so worth it in my opinion, and of course the brand is all-natural, cruelty-free, and vegan.
These products have made their way into my daily beauty routine for a reason– because they work and they make me feel good about supporting products that align with my ethics. I hope you will give some of them a try and feel just as good about doing so!
[Photos courtesy of e.l.f. Cosmetics, Bare Minerals, Badger, Pacifica, NYX, and LilyAna Naturals]