When most of us hear the word “vegan,” we think of a vegan diet—in other words, one that’s completely plant-based and free of animal products like meat, eggs, or dairy. But that’s just one small aspect of veganism. Almost anything can be vegan—from the food you eat to the products you use in your beauty routine. Vegan makeup is one such example (and you don’t have to give up cheese to use it).
Like food, vegan makeup products are those that are made without any animal products or by-products. And as devoted animal lovers, it’s something we at NYX Professional Makeup are passionate about. Here, you’ll learn why and discover some of the biggest benefits of going vegan in your beauty routine. We’ll also introduce you to a few of our best vegan makeup formulas to add to your arsenal. Keep reading for our guide to vegan beauty.
What Is Vegan Makeup?
As we touched on above, vegan skincare products and makeup products are those made without animal ingredients, including animal by-products. At NYX Professional Makeup, our vegan formulas don’t use anything that hurts animals—and we’ve got the bunny ears to prove it. We’ve proudly maintained our cruelty-free status and our PETA certification since 2010 (and believe us, they have high standards).
Two of the most commonly used ingredients that prevent a makeup product from being vegan are beeswax and carmine. Beeswax—which, of course, comes from bees—acts as an emulsifier, meaning it helps oils and liquids mix together. It’s often used in creamy products (like lipsticks and balms) to create a smooth, uniform texture. Carmine, meanwhile, is a pigment that comes from cactus-dwelling beetles. The beetles’ shells are crushed to create a vibrant-red dye that’s widely used in makeup. Our vegan makeup formulas use alternative ingredients that mimic the color of carmine but without the buggy bits.
NYX Professional Makeup products undergo rigorous testing to make sure the texture, adhesion, and color payoff are top-notch. The result: High-quality makeup that’s kind on animals and your conscience. It’s not easy to create fully-vegan makeup formulas, but it’s worth it—after all, what goes on our bodies is as important as what goes in them.
Why Should You Use Vegan Makeup Products?
At NYX Professional Makeup, we believe it’s cool to care. Whether or not you use vegan beauty products is up to you—but if you are interested, we have plenty of options available. Ahead, discover four reasons why you may want to consider experimenting with makeup that is vegan.
1. You Want To Use Animal-Friendly Products
One of the biggest reasons people switch to vegan beauty products is also one of the most obvious: They don’t want to use beauty products with animal ingredients. We’ve got that covered. As NYX Professional Makeup Senior Chemist Anastasia Sciencski explains, our formulators take care to ensure that neither the ingredients nor the end product “contain or come into contact with any animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products.” Additionally, our vegan-formulated beauty products are all cruelty-free—meaning they weren’t tested on animals, either. It’s a win-win for makeup-loving animal advocates.
2. You Want To Support Ethical Causes
We all know the saying, “Put your money where your mouth is.” Opting for cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics instead of conventional cosmetics tells companies that it’s a cause you’re willing to invest in. Over time, more consumers favoring vegan goods creates more demand. This, in turn, may encourage companies to spend more time creating products without animals or animal by-products. Be the change you want to see!
3. You Want Beauty Products You Can Feel Good About Using
In a similar vein, it feels good to spend your money on products that make you feel good. Makeup, naturally, is always a fun purchase—but it can be even more rewarding when you know your shopping spree consists of animal-friendly vegan buys.
4. You Want Products That Work
It’s a misconception that vegan cosmetics aren’t as durable or long-lasting as conventional products. Our lineup is living proof that vegan makeup formulas can be vibrant, versatile, and insanely durable.
Meet Our Vegan Must-Haves
At NYX Professional Makeup, our range of vegan-formula makeup consists of everything from face primers and concealers to pigment-packed eyeshadows and lip glosses. Keep reading to discover a few of our (and our customers’) current favorites.
The Marshmellow Smoothing Primer
When you need a makeup primer that does it all, reach for The Marshmellow Smoothing Primer. A fave of NYX Professional Makeup artist Tooba Safi, this 10-in-1 face primer smooths, softens, extends makeup wear for up to 16 hours, hydrates, soothes, evens tone, minimizes texture, blurs lines, adds a soft focus finish, and keeps makeup fresh. As Tooba says, “It does it all.” Plus, the vegan formula is water-based and has a transparent finish, making it a safe bet for all skin types and tones.
Bare With Me Concealer Serum
Experiment with vegan skincare and makeup simultaneously with our Bare With Me Concealer Serum. This hydrating concealer is packed with skin-loving ingredients like tremella mushroom, cica (also known as centella asiatica) extract, and green tea. It conceals imperfections, such as dark circles, dry spots, and redness, and has a natural-looking medium-coverage finish that lasts for up to 24 hours.
Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color
If you’re after bold color and intense shine that lasts, Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color needs to be on your radar. Available in 30 intensely-pigmented shades, this long-wear lip color delivers up to 16 hours of transfer-resistant wear that feels lightweight and comfortable on the lips. Eat, drink, and flip your hair—the non-sticky vegan gloss stands up to it all.
This Is Juice Gloss
For those who prefer gloss with just a hint of juicy color, we have This Is Juice Gloss—NYX Professional Makeup artist Autumn White’s “favorite vegan product” in our lineup. “My favorite shade is Watermelon Suga,” she says. “I love it because it’s long-lasting and gives you a natural flush without being sticky or tacky.” The vegan formula is made with five electrolytes and five lip-loving oils and provides up to 12 hours of high-shine hydration.
Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream
Love a matte lip look? Try our Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream. This creamy vegan-formula lip color applies like a liquid lipstick, hugs your lips like a cream lipstick, and boasts a full-coverage finish. Plus, each of the 24 vibrant shades can be layered without disrupting the finish, making it a must for custom lip looks.
Ultimate Glow Shots
Get your shine on (conscientiously) with Ultimate Glow Shots. These liquid eyeshadows deliver a dose of confident color and a shimmery finish that’s glowy, not glittery. The vegan eyeshadow formula has a second-skin feel—and it delivers up to 12 hours of wear with no flaking or fallout. Wear your favorite shade alone or pair it with powder eyeshadow for high-intensity eye looks that last.
Epic Smoke Liner
NYX Professional Makeup artist Ivette Avila is crazy about our Epic Smoke Liner—and honestly, so are we. “They’re easy to use for quick glam,” Avila says, “and they’re blendable without being patchy.” The all-in-one vegan eyeliner sticks boast a liner on one end and a mini paddle brush on the other to make creating smokey eye looks a total breeze.
Thick It Stick It! Brow Gel
Put the perfect finishing touch on your (vegan) eye makeup look with Thick It Stick It! Brow Gel. This tinted brow mascara with plant-origin fibers clings to your brow hairs, making them appear thicker and fuller with each coat. The vegan formula is available in eight inclusive shades that deliver up to 16 hours of wear for bold brow looks that last.
Of course, this isn’t close to being a comprehensive list of our vegan makeup offerings at NYX Professional Makeup. You can find our full collection here.