The 10 Best Vegan Mascaras in 2026

Top 10 Best Vegan Mascaras 2026

1. Best Overall Vegan Mascara: Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara

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.

2. Best Premium Vegan Mascara: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

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.

3. Best Budget Vegan Mascara: COVERGIRL Clump Crusher Extensions

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.

4. Best Vegan Mascara for Short Eyelashes: theBalm Mad Lash

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.

5. Best Vegan Mascara for Sensitive Eyes: Gaya Vegan Mascara for Sensitive Eyes