Mascara is a product most people would call essential in their beauty routine. It can make sleepy eyes look a little more awake or help you create a bold smokey eye. But if you’re dedicated to removing animal products from your life, you may have noticed them popping up in products you never expected. That includes most mascaras.
Fortunately, more brands are developing vegan mascaras that are just as effective and beautiful as standard recipe mascaras. Our list takes you through the ten best we’ve found on the market currently to save you from having to squint at the tiny print on boxes at the store.
- What to Look For in a Vegan Mascara
- Top 10 Best Vegan Mascaras 2026
- 1. Best Overall Vegan Mascara: Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara
- 2. Best Premium Vegan Mascara: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
- 3. Best Budget Vegan Mascara: COVERGIRL Clump Crusher Extensions
- 4. Best Vegan Mascara for Short Eyelashes: theBalm Mad Lash
- 5. Best Vegan Mascara for Sensitive Eyes: Gaya Vegan Mascara for Sensitive Eyes
- 6. Best Smudge-Proof Vegan Mascara: Milani Highly Rated - 10-In-1 Volume Mascara
- 7. Best Conditioning Vegan Mascara: Organic Mascara by Endlessly Beautiful
- 8. Best Vegan Mascara for Lash Growth: Pacifica Stellar Gaze Mineral Mascara
- 9. Best Naturally-Pigmented Vegan Mascara: Ecco Bella FlowerColor Vegan Mascara
- 10. Best Creamy Vegan Mascara: Fifth & Skin NATURLASH Natural Mascara
- Having the Best Vegan Mascara Experience
What to Look For in a Vegan Mascara
To help you find the perfect option for you, we’ve broken down exactly what you should look for when choosing a vegan mascara.
Vegan Ingredients
For something to be vegan, it must contain no animal-derived products. Even if the animal isn’t harmed in the collecting of the ingredient, it’s only truly vegan if exclusively plant-based products are used. Every mascara on our list is vegan, but for a complete breakdown of common animal-derived ingredients in other mascaras, check out our full guide below.
Cruelty-Free
Most brands take this a step further and ensure that their products are not tested on animals either. Several brands on our list have Leaping Bunny certification, but a few just personally guarantee that their particular products have not been subject to animal testing.
Color
Mascaras come in a range of colors depending on how intense or natural you want your eye-look to be. We list the color of every mascara below, so you’ll know exactly what kind of look you can achieve with it. For a more detailed breakdown of who each color is best for, check out our full analysis here.
Organic
If you’re vegan for the sake of the environment or your health, you likely also care about organic ingredients in your cosmetics. However, not all vegan mascaras are organic. We’ll let you know if the vegan options below are organic or not, so you can make the right choice for you.
Whether you’re looking for bold impact, extra volume, or a nourishing boost, you’ll find a vegan mascara to suit your needs on our list.
Top 10 Best Vegan Mascaras 2026
1. Best Overall Vegan Mascara: Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 0.24 oz
- Colors: Black
- Organic: Uses organic ingredients
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Highlights
Tarte has been making a name for itself with its commitment to more ethical cosmetics. Their whole line is vegan, gluten-free, not tested on animals, and free from harmful additives like phthalates and parabens. The brand has also evolved over the years to be more natural and gentle.
Lights, Camera, Lashes is one of their most popular eye makeup products. This black mascara calls itself a 4-in-1 product because it lengthens, curls, conditions, and adds volume with just one coat. Getting maximum impact out of one coat helps keep this from getting clumpy and heavy on your lashes.
Despite not being a waterproof mascara, this is long-lasting. It doesn’t run during normal daily wear but will come off fairly easily when you cleanse your face at the end of the day.
Downsides
The brush applicator for this product can pull out a bit too much mascara. It can be too thick and require you to scrape off a bit of product on the mouth of the tube or on a tissue before applying, which can cause you to waste some of the mascara. That’s not ideal since it’s not cheap.
Our pick from Too Faced has a better brush that helps apply just the right amount of mascara to your lashes.
This also has a thicker texture than some mascaras, which helps to coat your lashes, but you need to use a light hand when applying it. If you layer it on too thick, the excess might flake off during the day, leaving small bits on cheeks.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for a vegan and natural mascara that give good coverage and impact, this is a great all-around choice. It’s easy to wear and looks great. No one would guess it’s a vegan brand. Just one coat will be enough for most makeup looks, but two can amp up the volume even more.
The ingredients are gentle enough for nearly anyone, and the overall effect makes it a good mascara in general and an exceptional vegan one.
Pros
- Safer ingredients
- 4-in-1 treatment for lashes
- Doesn’t run
- Only needs one coat
Cons
- Applicator can bring out too much product
- If applied too thickly, it can flake off
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 0.27 oz
- Colors: Black
- Organic: No
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Highlights
While Too Faced isn’t an all-natural brand, their commitment to keeping their products free from animal testing is admirable, and they have a long list of products and makeup brushes that are vegan-friendly.
Their “Better Than Sex” mascara has raised a lot of debate over whether it is, in fact, better. While we can’t comment on that, it is a favorite for a reason. Its hourglass-shaped applicator helps distribute mascara more toward the edges of your lashes to create a natural curl without getting too clumpy.
The formula contains a special polymer to help set the curl so it lasts all day, not just for a few minutes after applying. It also contains Acacia Senegal tree extract to lightly volumize your lashes.
Downsides
While this does come in a waterproof version as well, the classic formula is washable. This can be a problem. In humid climates or on hot days when your brow can get a little sweaty, this mascara can smudge. It may leave a little halo of black just under your eyebrow.
Better Than Sex is more of a liquid than some mascaras, so it can be harder to get a thick coat on the first pass. However, multiple passes can result in your developing clumps as it becomes heavier on your lashes. Our choice from Tarte gives thicker coverage with one application.
Who It’s For
For a mascara that will catch even fine lashes and give them both curl and fanned-out definition, Too Faced offers a great option. This product gives lightweight definition without overly thickening your lashes, giving a more natural look. People won’t know if you’ve simply been blessed with great lashes or have great taste in cosmetics.
The formula is also gentle enough that it’s non-irritating for most people, even contact wearers.
Pros
- Unique applicator helps distribute mascara
- Catches even small eyelashes
- Gives light curl and volume
- Natural-looking definition
Cons
- Moisture can cause it to smudge
- Doesn’t offer thick coverage
3. Best Budget Vegan Mascara: COVERGIRL Clump Crusher Extensions
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 0.44 oz
- Colors: Black, black brown, brown, very black
- Organic: No
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Highlights
Covergirl has been distinguishing itself from other drugstore beauty brands recently. In 2020 alone, they announced their Leaping Bunny cruelty-free certification as a brand. They also released Clean Fresh, their first entirely vegan line, in 2020.
Their Clump Crusher mascara isn’t part of that new line but still features vegan-only ingredients. The product promises to amp up your lashes to twenty times their natural volume. It’s meant to mimic the look of eyelash extensions.
The curved, spiny applicator helps to reduce clumping by giving your lashes a light and even coat with each pass. Coupled with their “fiber-stretch” formula, this mascara is designed for multiple coats, allowing you to build up the volume gradually.
Downsides
This mascara is available in both waterproof and “water-resistant” formulas. Perhaps due to the waterproof and water-resistant ingredients, this product tends to dry out rather quickly. As early as one month into using this product, it can start to become thicker within the tube. That makes it harder to apply as intended and lessens its effectiveness.
The waterproof variety in particular shows some minor flaking as well. If you rub your eyes or touch your lashes, you may end up with some flakes on your cheeks.
Who It’s For
For people who want a solid product without putting out a lot of money, this is a great performer. It costs far less than most vegan mascaras, but it still gives good results and it’s widely available.
If you like being able to build up your lashes with multiple layers, the special formulation of Clump Crusher allows for that. You can keep it as light or as dramatic as you want.
Pros
- Curved brush applies light coats
- Can build up layers for volume
- Extremely good value
Cons
- Dries out faster than most mascaras
- Minor flaking
4. Best Vegan Mascara for Short Eyelashes: theBalm Mad Lash
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 0.54 oz
- Colors: Black
- Organic: No
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Highlights
theBalm was first conceived in 2004 and has slowly grown with its online presence and distinctive products. They’ve made the move to incorporate more post-consumer products in their packaging, and they strive to have all their products rank as a two or lower by EWG’s clean cosmetics standards.
This Mad Lash mascara meets their goal of using clean and safe ingredients. It also comes in a handy two-pack, making it one of the more economical options on our list.
Though not waterproof, this recipe is water-resistant and volumizing. It stays in place and doesn’t smudge during normal wear. The application wand is similar to a normal brush but has a distinct curve to better define individual lashes.
Downsides
Your mileage may vary with the water-resistant aspect of this mascara. It does take some time to dry and set, but after that, it will typically stay in place okay. If it encounters moisture, however, some running may occur. This wouldn’t be a good option to wear in intense humidity or during a workout, for example.
The formula is a little thicker than some and may cause eye irritation. If you experience running or if you rub your eyes, it can bother those who are sensitive or wear contacts. Gaya’s mascara is a better option for those prone to cosmetic sensitivity.
Who It’s For
If you have short lashes or baby-fine eyelashes, this mascara will give you the volume you’d expect from much more expensive brands. It bulks up even the thinnest lashes and lengthens them as well. The formula is buildable, so you can add more to stretch them out as much as you want.
Many users will especially appreciate the curved comb applicator. You won’t need to go back over your lashes with additional tools to separate and curl your lashes.
Pros
- Excellent value
- Water-resistant formula
- Defining curved comb applicator
- Boosts length and volume
Cons
- May smudge when exposed to moisture
- Thick texture
- Can irritate very sensitive eyes
5. Best Vegan Mascara for Sensitive Eyes: Gaya Vegan Mascara for Sensitive Eyes
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 0.38 oz.
- Colors: Black, blue
- Organic: No
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Highlights
Made in Italy and formulated specifically for sensitive users, this vegan mascara promises to be gentle on dry and irritated eyes. Contact users or those experiencing lash loss can use this product with peace of mind.
One coat will separate and lengthen lashes for a natural look. Designed to be built up, you can add up to four layers of this mascara to develop a bold and dramatic nighttime look. The soft brush applies the product easily, not going on too thick.
Your lashes also don’t develop a hard or crunchy feeling once the product has set.
Downsides
Some users may be disappointed that they have to apply multiple coats to see significant lengthening from this mascara. If you have short lashes that need a bigger boost, you may need to keep layering. For a product that offers more drama from a single coat, you could try this option from Too Faced.
Perhaps due to the need for multiple passes, this product seems to run out more quickly than expected.
Who It’s For
When sensitivity makes it hard for you to wear most mascaras without irritation, this mascara can be a life-saver. You can achieve separation and definition without risking red and watery eyes all day.
If you have issues with lashes falling out, this can be a good option as well. It’s easy to remove with a mild cleanser or toner, and since your lashes don’t clump together with this product, you don’t risk pulling out lashes while trying to separate them with a brush or lash comb.
Pros
- Gentle formula for sensitive eyes
- Can build up layers
- Doesn’t clump
Cons
- Takes a lot of product to lengthen lashes
- Runs out quickly
6. Best Smudge-Proof Vegan Mascara: Milani Highly Rated - 10-In-1 Volume Mascara
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 0.41 oz
- Colors: Black
- Organic: No
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Highlights
Milani is a Los Angeles based brand dedicated to creating high-quality beauty products for a diverse range of people at a reasonable price. Their Highly Rated mascara is just that: a product that suits a wide range of users. This mascara has been honored by several media outlets in recent years as one of the best mascaras on the market.
So what’s all the hype about? Highly Rated mascara can double users’ lash volume with one coat. The comb-brush evenly distributes the product to give full coverage to every lash.
Despite not being labeled as a waterproof mascara, this has great staying power. It’s pretty much smudge-proof once it fully dries. And it has a deep, rich black pigment that feels more high-end than the price would imply.
Downsides
It’s recommended to pair this mascara with Milani’s lash primer for bests results. This increases the fussiness of your morning routine and doubles the price of what seems like an inexpensive mascara. You can use it without the primer, but that seems to make it more prone to flaking and gives less of a lengthening effect.
If you’re looking for great impact from a single coat of mascara, our pick from Tarte might be a better option for you.
This mascara can also be a little messy to use. It can leave a lot of product on the rim of the tube and have a heavier coating of mascara on one side of the brush. This can make it harder to apply.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for a product that feels luxurious but doesn’t require you to take out a loan every time you need a fresh tube, Milani’s Highly Rated fits the bill. It’s a good choice for people who may get watery eyes from allergies, or just can’t help tearing up when they see a kitten that’s just too small.
You can use it without the brand’s primer, but for the most dramatic lash volume, it’s recommended to layer them together.
Pros
- Rich black pigment
- Smudge resistant
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Needs primer for best results
- Messy to use
7. Best Conditioning Vegan Mascara: Organic Mascara by Endlessly Beautiful
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 0.27 oz.
- Colors: Black and brown
- Organic: Uses organic ingredients
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Highlights
Endlessly Beautiful’s mascara uses 85% organic ingredients and has one of the most unique formulations we’ve seen. It avoids many chemical additives and preservatives that might be questionable for human and environmental health, opting instead for a bevy of plant extracts.
Notably, it features chamomile, coffee, and vitamin e among its ingredients. These are meant to help condition your lashes to make them become fuller naturally. It also includes rosemary and grapefruit extract in the formula to stimulate lash growth. That means that over time, this mascara improves the natural look and condition of your lashes. Its benefits aren’t just washed away at the end of the day.
For best results, it’s recommended to use this along with an eyelash curler and to apply two coats of this mascara. This mascara is water-resistant, so remove it with an oil-based cleanser.
Downsides
While the plant extracts of this mascara can be very beneficial to some, for others it can cause an allergic reaction. For people who are sensitive to most eye makeup, the citrus and coffee components of this formula can be a little harsh, causing redness and irritation.
This mascara doesn’t offer the dramatic curl and volume of some other options out there like our pick from Covergirl. It darkens and somewhat lengthens your lashes, but overall the effect is more subtle than you might prefer.
The tube is scaled down to make it easier to travel with. Instead of greatly reducing the amount of product, they shrunk the applicator. It does make this easier to put in your purse or even carry-on, but the smaller brush can make it hard to get an even application with one pass.
Who It’s For
People who prefer a natural look when it comes to applying makeup will appreciate the subtle effect of this mascara. It’s also a good option if you feel like your lashes are thin and that most mascaras simply cover up the problem. By helping to condition your lashes and stimulate growth, this could gradually make your lashes look fuller even without makeup.
Pros
- Free from preservatives
- Contains conditioning plant extracts
- May help stimulate lash growth
- Convenient travel size
Cons
- Can cause an allergic reaction
- Subtle makeup effect
- Applicator can be hard to use
8. Best Vegan Mascara for Lash Growth: Pacifica Stellar Gaze Mineral Mascara
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Size: 0.25 oz.
- Colors: Black and brown
- Organic: Contains organic ingredients
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Highlights
Pacifica as a brand is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. They offer all-natural cosmetics and fragrances at a moderate price point. There’s not a lot to worry about when it comes to potentially harmful ingredients in their products.
Their mascara line uses mineral pigments for color. Stellar Gaze promises to lengthen and strengthen your lashes with a combination of jojoba and coconut oils, and vitamin b and kelp extract. Vitamin b in particular has been linked to healthy lash growth and is recommended as an internal supplement for those looking to grow healthier lashes. Topical eyelash serums are also often infused with it.
This goes on smoothly without clumping and should be removed with an oil-based cleanser to avoid excessive rubbing and better protect your lashes.