
Cruelty Free Living
10 Cruelty Free Alternatives to Cult Beauty Buys
Copy: Serena Faber Nelson
Photography: As Listed

Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson is the founder of Pretty Fluffy. A contributor to Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine, Cesars Way and more; her modern, stylized take on DIY dog treats has seen her recipes viewed millions of times over.
Serena is the author of the go-to dog mom bible, Dog Mama, and the popular dog treat recipe book, Healthy Homemade Dog Treats.
Found! 10 cruelty free alternatives to your favourite cult beauty buys.
Finding cult beauty buys not tested on animals is a hard ask with so many companies still continuing to test on animals year in and out.
As an animal lover, you want to do the right thing by your furry friends; but you also want to use the best quality beauty products out there – it can be a pickle!
These alternatives are guaranteed to work just as well, or even better, than their animal tested counterparts – and the best part is no bunnies were harmed in the process.
Enjoy! And don’t forget to share YOUR favourite cruelty free products in the comments below.
Cruelty Free Alternatives to Cult Beauty Buys
CRUELTY FREE ALTERNATIVES: SHOP THE POST
ONE
Cult Beauty Buy: Cetaphil Face Wash
Cruelty Free Alternative – Click to Buy >>> SebaMed Liquid Face & Body Wash Dermatologist-developed this multi-tasking, nourishing wash provides a gentle, deep cleansing of the pores while naturally conditioning the skin with natural panthenol, moisturizing vitamins and amino acids that maintain and balance the skin’s moisture level.
TWO
Cult Beauty Buy: YSL Touche Eclat
Cruelty Free Alternative – Click to Buy >>> Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Concealer This long-lasting, creamy concealer hides imperfections, fights puffiness and erases dark under eye circles.
THREE
Cult Beauty Buy: MAC Eye Shadow
Cruelty Free Alternative – Click to Buy >>> Urban Decay Naked Palette A universally flattering palette featuring 12 eye shadows in a variety of textures from glitter, shimmer, to matte, have made it a cult classic amongst beauty bloggers. It’s so loved worldwide, that Naked 2 and Naked 3 have since been released.
FOUR
Cult Beauty Buy: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Cruelty Free Alternative – Click to Buy >>> Model Co Turbo Lashwand This best-selling heated eyelash curler will transform your lashes without the damage caused by traditional designs. Its superior heating mechanism gently shapes and curls the entire length of your lashes without crimping, for a perfect, long-lasting curl.
FIVE
Cult Beauty Buy: Benetint Lip & Cheek Stain
Cruelty Free Alternative – Click to Buy >>> BECCA Beach Tint A beautifully blendable crème stain for cheeks and lips that suits all skin types. Kiss-proof and water-resistant, it dries to a perfect, streak-free, non-greasy and non-drying finish. Comes in over 9 hues.
SIX
Cult Beauty Buy: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
Cruelty Free Alternative – Click to Buy >>> Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara An intensely black, volumizing mascara with an hourglass-shaped brush that separates, coats, and curls each lash to voluptuous perfection.
SEVEN
Cult Beauty Buy: SKII Facial Treatment Mask
Cruelty Free Alternative – Click to Buy >>> Sodashi Brightening Marine Mineral Mask A revitalising and oxygenating face mask rich in phytonutrients and minerals. Zeolite and Seaweed detoxify and re-energise the skin, whilst the synergy of plant essences effectively firm and tone.
EIGHT
Cult Beauty Buy: Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream
Cruelty Free Alternative – Click to Buy >>> Tarte BB Tinted Treatment An innovative BB treatment with multiple skincare and makeup benefits in one eco-chic tube. Available in five shades this powerful multitasker works as a primer, moisturiser, light foundation, anti ageing treatment, and sunscreen to keep you glowing 24/7.
NINE
Cult Beauty Buy: Giorgio Armani Foundation
Cruelty Free Alternative – Click to Buy >>> Napoleon Perdis Sheer Genius Liquid Foundation Enriched with active ingredients that boost skin elasticity and moisture, this lightweight foundation minimises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles whilst providing luminous, polished coverage.
TEN
Cult Beauty Buy: Kerastase Masque Nutri Thermique
Cruelty Free Alternative – Click to Buy >>> Eleven Miracle Hair Treatment Suited to all hair types, this lightweight leave in treatment adds shine and smoothness to your locks, while controlling frizz and flyaways. It also acts as a protectant against heat styling, and moisturises your tresses preventing split ends.
FREE DOWNLOAD
Download and print your Pretty Fluffy 10 Cruelty Free Alternatives to Cult Beauty Buys checklist here.
Editor’s Note: For more cruelty-free products, tips and ideas, see our Cruelty Free Living section.
Pretty Fluffy is the ultimate lifestyle destination for dog lovers. Discover the best designer dog brands and emerging small pet businesses, the latest dog accessories, healthy dog treat recipes, dog training tips and more. Thank you for being part of our dog-loving community!
Wow! I am surprised by the amount of these products in high rotation in my own beauty routine. I got a bit panicky about seeing the Benetint there (I use posietint) but when you mentioned the Becca one comes in nine shades I breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as I run out of my stash I will be making some changes. Although…does it apply to all SK-II products, or just the mask?
I’m the same, many of these cult beauty buys used to be staples in my beauty case!
Some of them used to have cruelty free status too, but sadly many companies have gone back on this in recent years. 🙁
I’ve not got great news from you re: SK II, they are currently listed as testing on animals. This article is a worrying read about how hard it is for shoppers to know what’s what in the world of cruelty free beauty: http://www.choice.com.au/media-and-news/media-releases/2013-media-releases/consumers-misled-on-animal-testing.aspx
Oh – and the Becca tint is the BOMB! I have a couple of shades that I adore xx
Awesome list Serena! Still shocks me to see how many test on animals that are in our everyday beauty toolkits! I made big changes to my routine last year and now use Sodashi (expensive but so amazing) and all of my body washes, lotions and masks etc are A’kin (love their stuff too). But then I turn the corner and find something I didn’t think about (like Kerastase! Eek!) and once again have to reasses. One day we will all get there little by little when people like you talk about it! xx
Thanks Kelsey!
I’m totally the same – the constant changes by companies regarding their animal testing status can make it so hard!
My philosophy is whenever I run out of something I do a check of what I want to buy to replace it and make sure it’s cruelty free.
I love Sodashi! We’re so lucky to live in a time where there are so many cruelty free ranges around. I remember back when I was a teenager, to go cruelty free it often meant you were stuck with some weird hippie range that really didn’t work at all. But now – so many cruelty free choices! x
Ahhh, I always struggle with this. One thing is that I can’t get all the brands where I live, so I’m limited with what I can buy or order online. The other thing is my skin – I struggle finding things that work, whether it’s the right color or how it feels on my skin, so I do sometimes end up buying from brands that I shouldn’t.
The one thing that I can’t live without is mascara! I love 100% Pure mascaras, the black one doesn’t irritate my eyes and it smells really nice. But I’ve heard great reviews for all their products and they are 100% cruelty free.
-A
Great start to spreading the word about cruelty free products BUT I would love to see a list of products that do not have parent companies that test on animals.
An example is Burt’s Bees is owned by Clorox.
FYI, Check out Biokleen products!
Thank you so much for this list! I had no idea how much of what I used was tested on animals. I tried SebaMed and WOW it is amazing. My skin is softer, cleaner, and just generally fresher than it was when I used Cetaphil. AND- by volume, it was the same price. Love it. Thanks!
Wow, please do some research before making posts like this one.
Brands like Tarte and Urban Decay even though *they* don’t test on animals, their parent companies do! So giving money to them is giving money to animal testing companies and not helping the cause at all.
On the other hand, doesn’t buying the cruelty free products tell the parent company that there is a demand for cruelty free products? If they’re looking at the numbers and all they see is that the “regular” products are selling better than the cruelty free products, they might be inclined to just drop the cruelty free products.
Great post! So glad that I don’t use any of the tested on animal products, but I will be checking out some of the cruelty free ones on your list.
L’oreal (the parent company to Maybelline) actually stopped testing on animals in 1989. However, there are still some countries where it is the law that a product has to be tested on animals before it can be sold. L’oreal has been/is working with the authorities in these countries to come to an agreed upon alternative to testing on animals.
This is great. My favorite mascara is by Dr. Hauschka. I especially like the aubergine, it’s really subtle. I know they carry it at Whole Foods.
I was just thinking about sk-ii because of a celebrity who modeled for the product. I wouldn’t have known about animal testing. Do you know if My beauty diary (mask) test on animals? I’m going to start a blog so this is good to know
http://elephant-room.org/crueltyfree-vs-vegan/
Please check out this website where they explain the difference between CRUELTY FREE, and VEGAN.
Just because a product is not tested on animals is no guarantee that there’s no animal products in it.
Hi, I am considering buying Easilift eye lift tabs. Can’t find ant info about whether they are cruelty free or or. Can anybody help.
As China required by law for animal tasting on products if companies want to sell in China then most of this dont apply either… specially Naked palette by Urban decay which confirms to be in China for sale.
So, do we make sure then the products are for sure made in your country? Because anything “Made in China” is definitely tested on animals.
Good thing I researched the Giorgio Armani brand then… I was going to get their foundation, as it looks stunning on my friend’s skin! Damn… Thanks for the list 🙂
https://www.benefitcosmetics.com/help/faq#faq-8
It claims Benefit stopped testing on animals in 1989.
It is in reality a great and useful piece of info.
I’m satisfied that you shared this useful info with us.
Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for the good writeup. It Towing company in Lynn MA fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to more added agreeable from you!
By the way, how can we communicate?