10 Best Cruelty-Free Mascaras 2023 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed

Too Faced’s Better Than Sex Mascara is a real cult favourite amongst those in the know, and is rightly adored by the beauty community both in the UK and beyond. Designed to thicken, lengthen and curl, this long-lasting formula helps create stunning dramatic lashes.

Its paraben-free formula contains Acacia Senegal tree extract to nourish and thicken, as well as film-forming polymers for smudge-proof wear. Plus, the hourglass-shaped brush helps to create greater volume for a false eyelash effect. Vegan, cruelty-free, and incredibly effective, it's no wonder this mascara is so popular!

Rihanna’s completely cruelty-free cosmetics line Fenty Beauty brings you a mascara for full-on lashes like you’ve never experienced before! This formula really does do it all, adding volume, length, lift and curl as well as being long-wear, smudge-proof and water-resistant. 

Its unique double-sided oval shaped brush has a flat side and a fat side for full coverage, too – use the fat side to quickly load product and lift, then use the flat side to define and curl your lashes. This product has been tested and approved by the beauty queen herself, so really, what more could you want?

For those particularly invested in eco-friendly products, this e.l.f. mascara is the only one on our list that is completely vegan and all natural! Featuring mineral wax and synthetic beeswax infused with kaolin and zinc oxide, this formula helps create fuller, healthier-looking lashes in a few swipes.

With an oval shaped wand, this mascara is designed to minimise clumping so you can easily build up the layers without risk of spidery lashes. As an added bonus, the tapered head ensures you won’t miss out a single hair!

Brought to you by British makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, this innovative mascara will give you volume, length and definition. Best of all, it gives your lashes a lift that will last up to 24 hours so you can keep going all day and night.

The formula boasts a lash-lifting polymer and lightweight natural waxes, so it’ll hardly feel like you’re wearing mascara at all. For those prone to panda eyes, this mascara is also smudge- and humidity-proof so you can add volume without worrying about it running down your face. 

Urban Decay are known as the bad boys of cosmetics, so it’s no surprise they’ve named their mascara Perversion. Perfect for those late-night adventures, this mascara coats your eyes with triple-black pigments for your boldest ever lashes.

This formula contains a complex blend of proteins and amino acids, honey extract, sea idrolized elastine and marine collagen. All of this combines together to form the perfect creamy texture that allows you to build layer after layer without becoming clumpy. There are also waterproof and travel-sized versions if you'd prefer.

An amazing vegan product from cult brand Milk Makeup, this mascara is amazing for those with straight lashes. With a bubble wand design, it lifts, separates and coats every single lash from root to tip for the ultimate curl.

Best of all, 74% of the ingredients in its formula are natural, from the ubame oak charcoal to give it its rich black colour to the sapphire dust which adds depth and volume to your lashes. However, be warned that this mascara does run a bit, so make sure to use a setting spray to prevent runny raccoon eyes!

Any sparse baby lashes in hard to reach places like the inner eye corners can also be coated with no mess since the wand has a tapered tip for more precision. Plus, the mascara comes in a few fun colours, allowing you to experiment with bold, unique looks. However, some users have pointed out that the pigments aren't as vibrant as they'd expect. 

If you’re looking for something a bit different to spice up your everyday makeup, coloured mascara is a great way to brighten things up. This collaboration between Ciaté London and SmileyWorld comes in a beautiful blue to add a pop of colour to your eyes.

Enriched with moisturising natural poppy and cacao extracts, this mascara can be worn alone or layered on top of black mascara to add extra depth. Of course, we understand this isn’t necessarily an every day look, so it may not be on the top of your to-purchase list! 

If you're a true makeup geek then you'll know Makeup Revolution's reputation for their amazing, reliable products. Their Revolution 5D Extreme Extension mascara has been dubbed their best mascara yet, and we can honestly say that it lives up to its name. 

In just as little as one swipe, the wand is able to deliver an even coating of formula to the lashes, giving it an instant definition, lift, length, and volume. The colour of the formula is jet black, giving some contrast and dimension to lift and brighten the eyes. When it comes to curling, however, this mascara might not do such a good job. But overall, we love the lengthening effect and the gorgeous pigment!

Want extreme volume for bright, open eyes that will stay put all day? This Go Big or Go Home Mascara from Kat Von D is a must-try! With dense pigments, the formula glides smoothly onto the lashes, glazing over each one to coat them evenly. 

The custom designed fluffy brush allows for perfect application, with rippled fibre bristles to catch each lash and some fluffiness to build volume and coverage. Although, according to some users, the formula does clump after awhile, which can be messy during application.