This post may contain affiliate links meaning that at no cost to you I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using my link. I thank you for your support! Please read my DISCLOSURE for more info.
If you asked me what my 2 must-have makeup products would be, my answer would be a good tinted sunscreen and a mascara! These are two products that I cannot go out without 🙂 I will be providing a review of the vegan sunscreen products later but today I am sharing my favourite = the best vegan mascaras with you.
Please note, it is not a sponsored post but my honest opinion about the products. Not that I am saying the sponsored posts are not honest. Just confirming I was not paid to review these products.
Thinning eyelashes – is it a genetic or an age issue
Because I have never in my life had long and thick eyelashes, I started using mascara when I was 15. I tried many natural remedies to try and grow more lashes, but let’s face it, it is what it is.
My sister has long and thick lashes. My brother has long and thick lashes. And I am the “white crow” in the family with very average and even thinning eyelashes.
My theory is that when I was a kid, I was prone to a stye (hordeolum) infection. If you had ever experienced that disease, you might remember how painful and uncomfortable it is.
Anyway, that was probably why I’d lost so many eyelashes and they hardly grew back.
If the length of my eyelashes has never been of huge concern for me, their thickness is what makes the eyes beautiful in my humble opinion.
If you have thick but short eyelashes, you can (if you want) use the extensions to make them look longer.
However, the extensions are not helpful in my case.
Thus, a good mascara is a must for me. Aaand, since I only want to use cruelty-free and vegan products, it has to be a vegan mascara 🙂
Vegan Mascara Review
There are a few criteria I will be following to explain what I liked or didn’t like about each of these. The links to the products are my affiliate links meaning that if you click on any and make a purchase I may make a small commission. This won’t affect you in terms of the price you will be paying.
However, my favourite mascara is very good at making the eyelashes look longer as well!
I have five mascaras to compare.
Which one is a “no-thank-you” and which one is my favourite?
Keep on reading 😉
Ciaté London Wonderland
I must admit. I purchased this mascara after watching a Youtube review of Ciate vs Tarte. The vlogger noted that she liked the Ciate London mascara better for a few reasons: it was easier to apply, it stayed longer on the lashes without smudging under the eyes, and it looked more natural without the “spider-legs” effect.
I was so excited about it and could not wait to get my package!
When my order came in, I opened the mascara package and tried to put the mascara on. Aaaand… nothing happened…
It was so dry that no matter how many times I put it back into the tube, it came out absolutely dry.
🙁
I took it back to the store and showed it to the salesperson, and she didn’t even ask me if I wanted to try another one…
I am not sure if it was just my bad luck getting an expired product or that is a common problem with the brand. I would be happy to find out what your experience with it was like if you had ever used it.
Smashbox
Luckily, my experience with Smashbox was much better than with Ciate London.
One of the benefits of Smashbox mascara is that even with daily use, it will last for a couple of months. Price-wise, it is just a little bit cheaper than Tarte and CL.
Smashbox is the right mascara for you if you like a natural look. It won’t make your lashes look extremely fuller or longer. It is just that right natural look you want during the day.
Tarte – Lights, Camera, Lashes – 4-in-1 Mascara
UPDATED March 5, 2020: I am not sure if Tarte has changed their formula, but a few last times I purchased their mascara, I would get itchy eyes after wearing it for a day. So, I am not taking a risk anymore and don’t use it. Below, is what I posted when the post went live In March 2019.
Tarte is by far my favourite mascara for those dramatic lashes for the date night out! Please note, that the waterproof mascara is not vegan but is still cruelty-free.
I only use the non-waterproof mascara, as I find it is tear-proof enough (in case you are like me – easy to cry when watching a good movie or even a heartwarming ad on TV) 🙂
However, it is also the most expensive on my list. It lasts for at least 3 months even if you use it daily.
They have recently changed the package, but it looks like the formula has stayed the same.
Some users found it to be clumpy. It wasn’t a problem for me, as once again, I like the dramatic look of the lashes it creates.
Pacifica Stellar Gaze Mascara
Pacifica SG is the latest addition to my mascara collection, and it seems to have become one of my favourite ones (after Tarte).
By an accident, I have ordered a brown colour instead of the regular black. At first, I thought to return it but then decided to give it a try.
That was a good decision.
Once again, if you are after a more natural look, you can give it a try. If you are after a more dramatic look, you can still get it with the black one. I am going to order the black one as well next time.
It is also on a more affordable side, price-wise. I got a mini size, and I think it is a good size that will last you for a while before it dries out. That was one of the concerns posted by the users. So, if you don’t use it every day, then the mini size (both in Smashbox and Pacifica) is the size you may want to consider.
Better Than Sex by Too Faced
So, here’s to the winner! I’ve been using this mascara for a couple of years now, and it has never failed me! It takes a short while to adjust to the brush size, as it is a little bigger size than other brands. However, once you do, you get gorgeous eyelashes! Even if you don’t have them 😉 like me. So, yes, to me it is for sure the best vegan mascara!
Though Rank and Style has ranked it No. 2 after the above-noted Tarte mascara, for the reasons described above, Better Than Sex is No. 1 best vegan mascara for me!
To be completely transparent, I must mention that Too Faced is not an all-vegan brand, but it is cruelty-free. If you are striving to only use 100% vegan brands, then Pacifica would be the one I would recommend.
Have you used one of these vegan mascaras?
Please let me know in the comments below. Was there anything specific that you did or didn’t like about any of these?
If you haven’t tried them yet, do you think this review was helpful for you? Is there anything that I forgot to mention that you are looking for in a good mascara?
Remember to share this post with your friends if you find it helpful 🙂
More from my site:
Foods for Healthy Glowing Skin
My Review of Monat Products (vegan and cruelty-free haircare and skincare brand)
Leave a Reply