How to: Everyday Cruelty-Free Makeup

This look will focus on cruelty-free brands and products. As more and more brands and products emerge as cruelty-free and vegan, I've found myself thinking about this topic more and more. Participating in ethical beauty is definitely something I'm interested in as as makeup artist and makeup lover. If you're interested as well, this look is for you!

I will specify which products are also vegan with a (V) beside. Please see the end of this post to read more about cruelty-free versus vegan and where you can find more information on both.

Please welcome Caitlin! Caitlin will be my model for this cruelty-free makeup look. She is an animal lover and dedicated vegan so I'm happy to have her here! This look is easy to do for everyday and is perfect for a wearable a night look.

Let's get into the tutorial!

Eyes

1. Start by priming the eyes and setting with a shadow that matches the skin tone or any light, matte shadow. I always use my fingers to apply primer but you can use a brush (pretty much any brush, but concealer brushes work the best). I used the HD Eye Shadow Base from NYX Cosmetics (V) and the Real Techniques Setting Brush and the shade Ivy from the The Power of Makeup palette from Too Faced (V) to set the primer.

2. Since we are working on the eyes first, we don't have to worry too much about fall out on the cheeks. We decided to use pink tones on the lid to bring out Caitlin's beautiful blue eyes! I used Cinderella from Makeup Geek (V) with Girl Talk from NYX (V) for a shimmery, soft pink, packed on with the Sigma E32 brush.

3. Using Painkiller (V) from the Too Faced palette and the Sigma E35 brush, I started on the outer portion of the crease and used windshield wiper motions to blend this transition colour. I do blend the crease colour beyond the eye since I will be cleaning it all up with a makeup wipe (so don't worry if it looks messy at this stage!).

4. Using the Sigma E25 brush and Makeup & Chill from the Too Faced palette, I smoked out the outer portion of the eye focusing on the lash line. This will pull the eyes up and out while deepening the lash line before liner.

5. After all our shadows are down, I like to blend, blend, blend with a clean Sigma E39 brush. This ensures all the colours are blended with no harsh edges - especially along the top of the shadow on the lower brow bone.

Then, I simply wrap a makeup wipe around my finger and clean up any fall out under the eyes and along the side of the eye. - this creates that sharp wing shape in the shadow which I personally love!

6. A smokey liner makes the lash line appear thicker without being too harsh. Caitlin's eyes lend so well to a smokier look - and it can be transitioned from day to night easily! I ran Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion (messily) along the lash line then blended with the Sigma E21 brush. I added Kiss lashes in #11 using House of Lashes Eyelash Adhesive in Dark.

Face

1. I used the Sigma F82 to apply the Flawless & Poreless Primer from Pixi (V) - I prefer to use a brush to apply moisturizers and primers to my clients because I want to avoid transferring any oils from my fingers to the skin.

2. For Caitlin's skin, I mixed NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat and elf Tinted Moisturizer for coverage with a "barely there" look and feel. I used equal parts of each product and buffed into the skin using the Real Techniques Buffing Brush.

3. I used the elf HD Lifting Concealer under the eyes, blended with the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. Always set your under eye concealer! My current favourite is the RCMA No-Colour Powder (V) and the Sigma F64 brush.

4. This step is soooo easy. Set the entire face using the RCMA power and the Real Techniques Powder Brush.

5. Since Caitlin has beautifully soft features, I lightly contoured her cheekbones using the NYX Highlight & Contour Pro Palette (V) and the Sigma F40 brush then took the NYX Matte Bronzer (V) and the Real Techniques Multi Task Brush to warm up the contour as well as along the hairline. I used BH Cosmetics Glamorous Blush palette (V) on the cheeks and topped it all off with BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone, applied with the elf Powder Brush.

Brows

1. Using Anastasia Beverly Hill Dip Brow Pomade in Blonde and an angle brush to shape the brow. Check out my blog post all about brows including how to shape and extend beyond the natural brow.

Lower Lash Line

1. Using Painkiller and Makeup & Chill from the Too Faced Palette and the Sigma E68 brush, I blended along the lower lash line.

Lips

1. We finished this look off with NYX Liquid Suede in Cherry Skies - a shade we are both obsessed with!

This is the finished look! I love how the pink tones bring out Caitlin's blue eyes - plus, she always rocks a red lip! I added some loose waves to complete this effortless, soft glam look.

Note: Cruelty-free makeup does not test on animals at any point in production. Vegan makeup contains no animal-derived ingredients. Unfortunately, products that do not test on animals are not always vegan. Also, cruelty-free companies may be owned by a larger company ("parent company") that also owns other companies that do test on animals.

Be confident that you will be able to find cruelty-free makeup that works for you at both higher and lower price points. Drug store brands like Sonia Kashuk, e.l.f., and Pixi Beauty all offer great products at a lower price point, without the guilt of knowing someone suffered for your beauty.

Higher end brands have quickly jumped on the cruelty-free train and openly promote ethical beauty. Brands like Josie Maran, Lush, Kat Von D Beauty, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and Too Faced all advocate abolishing animal testing in the cosmetics industry.

Find more about vegan and cruelty free makeup at Cruelty Free Kitty, Logical Harmony, and Ethical Elephant!