Best Cruelty-Free Mascara: Feel Good About Your Glam!

Love makeup? Love animals? Don't want your makeup tested on animals? Then read on for our top picks for the best cruelty-free mascara!

Best Cruelty-Free Mascara

Looking for a mascara that hasn't harmed any animals in its testing?

Many people don't realize that most mascaras are not cruelty-free. This means that they are often tested on animals, which is something that we don't support.

With so many options out there it can be hard to know which one is right for you. But don't worry, we're here to help. All of our picks are 100% cruelty-free and come highly recommended by customers. So why wait? Find your favorite today!


We hope you discover your next favorite beauty find from the list below! Each product was independently selected by our editors. Some may have been sent as samples for us to try, but all opinions in this article are our own. And, FYI — GlamourBadger may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something (that's how we stay in business). Reviews have been edited for length and clarity. Enjoy your next favorite beauty find!


How We Choose

We've read through thousands of verified customer reviews to find you the highest-rated cruelty-free mascaras. So whether you're looking for lengthening, volumizing, or waterproof mascara - we've got what you're looking for.

We have compiled a list of the best cruelty-free mascaras so that you can make an informed decision about what's right for you.

Best Lengthening Formula

ILIA - Limitless Lash Mascara

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Why We Like It

Say hello to the mascara you'll immediately fall in love with! ILIA's Limitless Lash Mascara is here to take your lashes from natural to gorgeous quickly and easily. Unlike other mascaras, this one is clean and goes above and beyond expectations. It's buildable without flaking, giving you a perfect look every time.

You’ll love that this mascara lifts, curls, lengthens and adds just the right amount of volume for fuller-looking lashes that appear healthy. Who doesn't want those qualities when it comes to their mascara? ILIA strikes an amazing balance. So if you're at home or going out on the town, Limitless Lash Mascara will help give you the long-lasting effect that remains true all day long!

We all want lashes that look amazing but don't harm our beauty routine or our wallets. Luckily enough, ILIA's Limitless Lash Mascara gives us both with its plant-based formula and friendly price point. What are you waiting for? Get your hands on this essential product now - your lashes will thank you later!

More to Know

This formula is made with an organic blend of bee and carnauba waxes that conditions each lash effortlessly yet still keeps them lifted throughout the day. Plus, you can feel good knowing it's 99% naturally derived, 25% organic, and cruelty-free.

Perfect for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers alike, this beauty staple has been ophthalmologist-tested to be safe and gentle. Get ready for your best look yet with this new formula – you'll love it!

Best Thickening Formula

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

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Why We Like It

Ready to take your lashes to daring new heights? Look no further than Urban Decay's Perversion Mascara! This amazing mascara is designed to provide you with a volumizing, lengthening result that will really make your eyes pop.

The vegan-friendly formula provides extreme color intensity and an ultra-soft finish that won't overpower or smudge. Never worry about flaking or clumping, either - because this luxurious product ensures a feathery, fanned-out, false lash effect mascara, for hours on end!

To top it all off, it comes in the purest, deepest, and most intense shade of black. Don't waste another minute - try out Urban Decay's Perversion Mascara today and get ready to show off your luscious look!

More to Know

Get ready for the full, luscious lashes of your dreams! Our mascara builds volume from root to tip for the perfect look - and it's made with The Lash Lover's secret weapon: hairdensyl! This special blend contains proteins and amino acids known to actually stimulate lash growth for even the tiniest lashes.

So you'll get that beautiful full-lash look while also supporting healthy, long-term growth. Suddenly shopping for mascara just became a lot simpler!

Best Waterproof Formula

Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara

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Why We Like It

Introducing Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara - goodbye clumps and hello gorgeous lashes! Imagine this - intense, voluminous lashes that last all day long without any clumps in sight. Curl the night away and rest assured that your curled eyelashes won’t let go of their magical drive at bedtime with this innovative formula!

You deserve a mascara that lets your eyes do all the talking and lets you focus on general greatness rather than worrying about unattractive smudges or flakes. Get long, luscious lashes that will last throughout the day with this amazing cruelty-free drugstore mascara Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara. Whether you're just headed down to the grocery store or out all night with your friends – this mascara won't let you down.

More to Know

If you're looking for a vegan waterproof mascara that's free from parabens and harsh chemicals, this 100% vegan mascara is the perfect choice! Not only will your lashes look luscious and voluminous, but with the two-sided brush with lash-loading and clump-combing zones to crush clumps you are sure to make all the right statements.

With its long-lasting waterproof wear, you can be confident that the mascara will last throughout the day without smudging. Plus, it's revered as one of the best cruelty-free vegan mascaras out there, so you don't have to worry about harming animals or nature in any way. This waterproof cruelty-free mascara is something you will feel good about wearing!

Best Conditioning Formula

IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara

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Why We Like It

Hello beautiful! Get ready to give your lashes true superhero power with the IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara - the beauty product that totally rocks! This innovative mascara is decorated with a proprietary elastic stretch technology. It provides you with super volume and extra-long length in just a single coat, making it perfect for everyday wear.

Say goodbye to those awkward clumpy mascaras, because this game-changing formula beautifies lashes without compromising their health. With this amazing mascara, you're sure to get yourself some serious superhero powers! Flaunt those luscious lashes like never before with IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara - you won't regret it!

More to Know

IT Cosmetics has done it again! With this mascara, you're given results that are the real deal. This amazing mascara is formulated with polymers, biotin, collagen, and more to provide maximum volume and length for your lashes.

It's easy to apply - just start at the base of your lashes and wiggle up to the tips! You'll get lengthier and fuller lashes in a matter of seconds. But what really sets this mascara apart is that it contains powerful ingredients like peptides and proteins that work together with super black pigment and the lash-changing power brush to coat each lash top-to-bottom.

And don't forget, you can always layer on more coats for an extra dramatic effect. If you want long-lasting results, this mascara should be your go-to product!

Best Volumizing Formula

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

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Why We Like It

Are you ready for lashes so luxe, it’s like having Better Than Sex?! Too Faced’s mascara is like no other! It’s specially designed with an hourglass-shaped brush to create lush, voluptuous volume. One single stroke of this magical formula will cause your lashes to thicken, lengthen and curl - it truly is incredible!

Not only that, but the film-forming polymer creates a strong yet flexible coating on each lash to lock your desired curl in place all day long. The Acacia Senegal Tree Extract then works in unison to add extra hold while setting volume and intensity.

With Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, your look will be ultra-glamorous no matter what you do! So try it out…you just might agree that it really is Better Than Sex!

More to Know

Make a statement and turn heads with the perfection that is your lashes! This unique formula creates lashes that are full, defined, and stretched to unbelievable lengths.

The specially shaped brush holds and separates every lash while coating and curling them to voluptuous perfection. With grand dramatic and volumized lashes, it’s no wonder you’ll be turning heads all day long.

Best Cruelty-Free Mascara FAQs

It can be hard to know which cruelty-free brands have a superior mascara.

Most mascaras are tested on animals, but there are a few good options that don't test on animals.

We have put together a list of the most frequently asked questions on the topic so you can feel good about your purchase.

What is the healthiest mascara to wear?

When it comes to mascara, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, many mascaras contain synthetic ingredients that can lead to irritation or adverse reactions in some people.

To ensure the healthiest option for your lashes and eye area generally, be sure to look out for natural formulas with fewer potential irritants.

Ingredients like beeswax, carnauba wax, and castor oil are all excellent choices as they naturally coat and color eyelashes while still promoting healthy growth over time.

Some other key ingredients include hyaluronic acid (which helps hydrate the lashes), plant extracts (such as Ginkgo Biloba) which condition and strengthen them over time, panthenol (a form of vitamin B-complex) which nourishes them from root to tip - even after removing your makeup!

And last but not least - aloe vera extract is great for healing any inflammation or redness caused by flaking mascara or debris buildup around the eyes throughout the day.

What mascara does not give raccoon eyes?

When it comes to avoiding those dreaded raccoon eyes, the best type of product you can use is waterproof mascara. Waterproof cruelty-free mascaras are designed to stay put even after being exposed to sweat, oil, and other elements.

It's important to remember that any type of makeup should be applied carefully and sparingly - apply too much on your upper or lower lashes and they're more likely to smudge later in the day! And when removing makeup at night, make sure you cleanse thoroughly with an oil-based cleanser which will help lift away the product without rubbing your delicate eye area too harshly.

To avoid raccoon eyes completely, some beauty experts recommend purchasing tubing mascaras such as Blinc or Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara - this innovative technology wraps around each lash base creating tubes that won't run, smudge, or flake!

What mascara do eye doctors recommend?

The first thing you should look for in a good mascara is whether or not it is formulated with natural, hypoallergenic ingredients that won’t irritate delicate eye tissues. Fortunately, many award-winning mascara brands have started formulations without common irritants such as parabens and fragrances.

When shopping for a mascara, look out for ones that claim to be “ophthalmologist tested” or “dermatologist tested.” These terms indicate that the product has been tested and approved by an eye care professional or dermatologist who specializes in skincare and cosmetics safety testing.

What mascara do dermatologists recommend?

When it comes to mascara, dermatologists recommend opting for a formula that is ophthalmologist-tested and has natural ingredients such as beeswax, mineral oil, or shea butter — as opposed to one with harsh chemicals that can irritate sensitive eyes. It's also important to avoid products with fibers or glitter, which can get into your eye and increase the risk of irritation or infection.

When examining ingredient lists on mascaras, look out for signs of safe formulas such as paraben-free makeup and hypoallergenic alternatives labeled “sensitive skin friendly” or “for those with contact lens sensitivities.” The American Academy of Dermatology (ADA) also recommends looking for non-comedogenic mascaras so you don't block your pores by causing an acne flare-up.

Some popular mascaras recommended by dermatologists include CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara, and Almay Get Up & Grow Thickening & Lengthening Mascara.

Why does mascara always leave black under my eyes?

Mascara often ends up in places it shouldn't be because it isn't being properly removed during cleansing.

When removing your mascara, remember to start from the root and move outward in a gentle zig-zag motion. This helps ensure that every bit of product has been adequately cleansed away, resulting in no smudging around the eye area afterward.

Additionally, using an oil-based cleanser can help break down makeup more effectively than traditional soap or foam cleansers might, which could also aid in preventing flaking and smearing beneath the eye area.

Which mascara has the least amount of chemicals?

When it comes to finding mascara with the least amount of chemicals, you’ll want to opt for ‘clean beauty’ products. Clean beauty products are free from synthetic and artificial additives, such as added fragrances and dyes, parabens, formaldehyde-based preservatives, sulfates, and phthalates.

What mascara makes your eyelashes look thicker and longer?

When looking for a mascara to make your eyelashes look thicker and longer, there are certain features you should be on the lookout for. Look for mascaras with lengthening polymers, polymer volumizing waxes, thickening agents such as pigments or fibers, and humectants that help condition lashes.

A great mascara option is Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara which provides up to eight times more volume thanks to its innovative twisted bristles combined with its nourishing film former system which helps protect individual lashes while adding dramatic volume. This film former also helps thicken and contour your eyelashes while holding curl all day long at the same time.

How can I wear mascara every day without damaging my eyelashes?

When it comes to wearing mascara every day without damaging your eyelashes, the best way to do so is to make sure you’re using the right product.

A quality mascara should be free of harsh chemicals, such as parabens and sulfates.

Look for mascaras specifically labeled as “non-toxic” or “natural” when shopping for a new product.

Additionally, look for cruelty-free waterproof mascaras that are long-lasting – these tend to be gentler on your lashes than cheaper ones that need more frequent reapplication throughout the day.

Once you’ve found a suitable product, focus on your technique when applying it. Avoid too much pressure or pulling from the brush during application: this can cause breakage in delicate lashes over time! Instead, wiggle and comb through them gently with up-and-down strokes until the desired volume is reached.

When done correctly, this method will also help define each lash individually rather than creating clumps!

Why should you throw away your mascara?

Mascara should be thrown away after 3-4 months of use. The lens of the eye is extremely sensitive and requires extra care from cosmetics and even more so from mascara, as it can cause infection and irritation if used for too long.

Wearing old mascara can also lead to clumpy, dry lashes that are more difficult to apply product to evenly.

What mascaras are clean?

Clean make-up brands such as ILIA Beauty, W3LL PEOPLE, and Kjaer Weis are leading the industry when it comes to ingredients that are better for you without sacrificing product performance. These companies don't use chemicals like sulfates, phthalates, or parabens in their formulations.

Bottom Line

We’ve scoured the internet for customer reviews on popular products to save you time in your beauty routine. You can be confident that the mascaras we’ve recommended are of high quality and will give you the fabulous look you desire.

Go grab your new cruelty-free brand mascara today and enjoy feeling as beautiful as you are!

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