These innovative brushes are deluxe in feel, more sustainable, and worthy of even makeup artists.
Animal fur products used to be the only real option for makeup application. But responsible beauty brands have come a long way. Now there are a wide range of synthetic and cruelty-free makeup brushes that are just as good as their squirrel or badger counterparts. Even better, we’d argue, because they don’t necessitate any animal cruelty. There are many reasons to choose synthetic makeup brushes over animal hair brushes. For one thing, synthetic fibers can be super soft. They’re often made from recycled or biodegradable materials. Synthetic brushes are usually hypoallergenic, and super easy to clean and maintain. And their efficient design can even prevent you from wasting makeup product! Here are the best vegan swaps for all your must-have makeup brushes.
Best vegan makeup brushes
- INIKA
INIKA is a responsible, cruelty-free, certified organic beauty brand. They have a complete makeup brush set made with ultra soft fibers that won’t irritate skin. Meanwhile, the handles are made from sustainably sourced wood. We recommend the Vegan Kabuki Brush, which was a runner-up in Beauty Heaven’s 2015 Best in Beauty Awards. This foundation brush has soft, super dense synthetic bristles to ensure even makeup application.
- Alima Pure
Alima Pure has a comprehensive line of brushes to suit every makeup lover’s needs. Their brushes are made from cruelty-free Taklon bristles, and are delivered in sustainable packaging. Check out the Soft Focus Brush, a unique tool for applying sheer makeup products such as finishing powders. We also love the Precision Angle Brush for sculpting perfectly shaped brows and expertly applying eyeshadow.
- 100% Pure
100% Pure has a more limited selection of brushes. But they do have an excellent line of precision brushes for eyeshadow and brow makeup. Plus, their products come at great prices. 100% Pure’s brushes are made from recycled synthetic fibers, so they’re great for the planet as well. We’re crushing on the Angled Contour Brush for applying highlighter and contour color. Use the Smudger Brush for blending and blurring eyeshadow to that perfect smokiness.
- Lily Lolo
These brushes are made using high-quality, synthetic hair for maximum comfort and efficiency. All of their brushes are highly rated, and their brushes have won Green Beauty Bible Awards. Reviewers love the multitasking Small Fan Brush for everything from removing stray eyeshadow to applying illuminator. The Socket Line Brush is also excellent for creating a dark eye socket and smudging the lower lash line with eye shadow.
- Ilia
Ilia Beauty’s brushes are a bit more pricey than some of the others on our list. But their brushes are made from soft and gorgeous synthetic materials. Check out their dual-function brushes. For example, the On Point Liner & Definition Brush and the Essential Shade & Blend Shadow Brush pack multiple capabilities into a single tool. Meanwhile, the Perfecting Buff Brush, with its densely packed bristles, is an excellent option for efficient foundation application.
- Sappho
Sappho’s makeup brushes are made with cruelty-free, synthetic, hypoallergenic Taklon fibers. They work well with both powder and liquid makeup. They’ve expertly designed their powder brushes by flailing their tips to reduce waste. Pretty genius, right? Meanwhile, their liquid brushes have tapered points for smooth coverage. The Buffer Brush is an excellent tool for applying foundation to get that airbrushed finish. The Shader Brush for Contour is the perfect product for contouring without wasting product.
- Gressa
These highly-rated, vegan brushes are made with aluminum and wood handles. The bestselling Air Focus Foundation Brush blends and buffs foundation for a flawless, airbrushed look. Meanwhile, the highly-rated Precision Lip Brush evenly distributes the perfect amount of lip color.
- RMS Beauty
RMS Beauty has a great line of vegan products, including some unique brushes to help you expand the way you use your makeup. We especially love the Skin2Skin Foundation Brush, an innovation that flawlessly blends foundation onto skin to conceal pores. We also have our eyes on the Eye Polish Brush, which is rounded and elongated for efficient cream eyeshadow application.
- Ere Perez
These ultra-functional tools are made from biodegradable materials, making them doubly awesome for the planet. They have several excellent 2-in-1 tools. For example, there’s the Smudge & Shade Brush for eyeshadow, and the Lip & Conceal brush for applying lip color and concealer.
- Kjaer Weis
This Danish-inspired, certified organic makeup brand has introduced a line of dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free brushes with synthetic fibers. While they don’t have an extensive range of face makeup brushes, they do have an eye collection that will rock your world. From the Soft Eye Brush for blending to the Crease Brush for adding dimension to your eyeshadow look.
Prefer a makeup sponge for foundation application? You can still seek out natural products to make sure that your beauty purchases are having a positive impact on the world. It’s wiser to seek out makeup sponges that aren’t dyed or otherwise processed. Check out these Natural Silk-Sea Sponges, harvested straight from the Mediterranean or Caribbean Ocean. While they may look a little wonky, these bad boys are super soft and absorbent. One reviewer noted that the naturally different shaped sides of these sponges make them perfect for applying makeup to different areas of the face. Another point for vegan beauty!
Whatever your makeup routine may be, buying vegan makeup brushes is a great step for reducing your impact on the Earth. Make sure to search for products that are made using sustainable practices, or made from biodegradable materials. It’s totally possible to perfect your look going the 100% vegan and 100% cruelty-free route.