12 Cruelty-Free and Vegan Indie Beauty Brands You Should Try in 2021

One of the most common questions people have when researching brands to purchase from is whether or not a brand is cruelty-free and vegan. There are a few great resources out there when it comes to mainstream brands, like crueltyfreekitty.com, but it can be harder to figure out when it comes to indie brands.

We wanted to compile a list of brands that are both cruelty-free and vegan so that the work of searching for brands that do both are done for you! Of course, this is just a preliminary list. If you are looking for more cruelty-free options, the brands we post about on our Instagram and blog and work with are all cruelty-free.

Axiology Beauty

Axiology Beauty ticks so many boxes – their products are cruelty-free, vegan, and low/zero-waste. They also strive to ensure that all their ingredients are responsibly sourced. Both Liv and I love their Balmies, a low-waste cream product that you can use on your eyes, lips, and cheeks!

Copacetic Cosmetics

Copacetic Cosmetics has some of the most beautiful eyeshadows I have ever seen in my entire life. Her flakie formula is extremely unique, and it comes in a wide variety of shades, from purple to gold. You’ll be blown away by her wide range of shades, and you should definitely check out her weekly quads – I always find them so inspiring! We also interviewed the owner; check out the interview here! If you’re interested in trying Copacetic, you can use code INDIEMOOD for 10% off.

Twinkle Apothecary

is a low-waste beauty brand that is both cruelty-free and vegan. I have been using her eye tint (in the cocoa shade) for over two years now and love it so much because it’s the only mascara I’ve found that will hold a curl in my lashes. In her store, you can find handmade and carefully formulated hair care, skin care, makeup, perfume, and bath and body products.

Propa Beauty

If you’re looking for cruelty-free and vegan lipsticks from a black-owned brand, look no further! Propa Beauty has you covered. They have nudes for all skin tones, and their lipsticks are so moisturizing and comfortable! I have been obsessed with their shades in Prowess and Dynamite from their #powerpout collection. I swatched the whole collection here! If you would like to try Propa Beauty, you can use the code INDIEMOOD for 15% off.*

Eclectic Beauty Cosmetics

My favorite red-orange, Rose Red, is from Eclectic Beauty Cosmetics. They create beautiful eyeshadows and lipsticks – including my favorite red-orange ever, Rose Red. Their Ofrienda palette will give you a gorgeous range of shades that you can use for both colorful and neutral looks! Plus, their Plasma gloss is super comfortable and sensitive-skin friendly. If you want to try some of their products for yourself, you can use code INDIEMOODLOVE for 10% off!

Double Down Cosmetics

Double Down Cosmetics is one of our absolute favorite brands. The owners are so kind and do great work in their community – you can read our interview with them here! On their site, you’ll find stunning eyeshadows and highlighters, as well as some of the most moisturizing and comfortable lip balms ever. I’ve also been obsessed with their Rose Hydrosol (I’ve already finished a whole bottle)! If you would like to try Double Down, you can use code INDIEMOOD for 20% off!

Eunique Beauty

Eunique Beauty’s shimmer formula is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. If you want a more in-depth review of their shadows, you can read Liv’s review here. Their palettes are super cute, and if you love a wet look to your eyeshadows, this is the brand for you! They’re black-owned and located in the UK. If you want to try Eunique Beauty, you can use code THEINDIEMOOD for 10% off.

Glaminatrix Cosmetics

Looking for an Aussie brand? Well, look no further! Glaminatrix Cosmetics will blow you away with their beautiful range of eyeshadows. They recently released a new eyeshadow palette that is Australian-themed! All their eyeshadows are fully vegan, and they have such a wide range of shades you are sure to find what you are looking for. You can use code INDIEMOOD for 15% off if you want to try their products!

Velvette

Liv has been using Velvette’s gorgeous facial oils for quite a while now, and she swears by them! You can check out a full review here, but suffice it to say that if you are a lover of facial oils, you’ve found the indie brand for you. They have a wide range of oils for all kinds of different skin types. If you’re interested in picking one up for yourself, you can use code THEINDIEMOOD for 10% off.

Shine by SD Cosmetics

If you’re looking for a Canadian cruelty-free and vegan indie brand, then Shine by SD Cosmetics is going to have to be your pick! They have gorgeous eyeshadows, and I am so excited for their new Dynasty collection! If you like shifty shadows that give you that wet look, then check them out! They’re a black-owned brand. You can use code THEINDIEMOOD for 20% off.

Alien Cosmetics

So you love beautiful artwork on your eyeshadow palettes’ packaging? Alien Cosmetics has you covered. Their gorgeous eyeshadows are always encased in beautiful designs on the outer packaging. Plus, their formula is fantastic, with stunning shimmers and mattes that work fabulously. Plus, they’ve got a wide range of liquid lipsticks for you to use. If you are thinking about picking up some of their products, you can use code THEINDIEMOOD for 10% off!

Touch of Glam Beauty

Touch of Glam Beauty is responsible for some of my favorite eyeshadows in my collection. Seriously, if you’re looking for the perfect blurple, then you need Purple Reign. Their shimmer formula layers beautifully over itself to give you a wet, shifty look, and you are sure to reach for these shadows almost every time you do your makeup. If you’re a pastel lover, be sure to give their Twisted Pastels collection a try! You can use code INDIEMOOD for 15% off.

Plus, two honorable mentions that are cruelty-free but have vegan options as well:

Terra Moons Cosmetics

If you’re new to the indie community, it would have been only a matter of time before you came across Terra Moons. Their shadows are famous for their shifts and twists, and they’ve got one of the most hyped formulas in the indie world. Their honorable mention comes from the fact that not all their shadows are vegan. Non-vegan shadows are clearly marked as such in the description. If you want to pick some up, you can use code INDIEMOOD for 15% off!

Felin Lune Apothecary

Last but certainly not least is Felin Lune Apothecary. Bath and body fiends, this cruelty-free brand is for you. And let me tell you – you will not be disappointed! I have been using their hair care products for the past few weeks, and my hair has been absolutely loving them! However, only three of their products are fully vegan: Solis Facial Cleansing Bar, Wolfsbane Potion, and Ink Cream. If you’d like to give their products a try, you can use code INDIEMOOD for 15% off!

We hope this post has set you on your path to find a new favorite cruelty-free and vegan indie brand! You can also check out some of our other posts, like this one, to find other exciting brands that are cruelty-free or vegan. Subscribe to our newsletter to get updates on indie beauty once a month!

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