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Finding a cruelty free and vegan foundation is only one half of the puzzle. If, like me, you prefer to use a brush to apply your foundation, then you need to search for a cruelty free and vegan brush too.
Cruelty free doesn’t mean no animal hair in the brush world. And vegan-only doesn’t mean cruelty free. This is why our list only features cruelty free and vegan brushes, which guarantees no animal hair is used, and no animal testing has taken place.
Synthetic brushes have another advantage: they are less porous than animal hair, so you don’t waste foundation. They are also easier to wash – win win.
So if you don’t want to rub horse, or even squirrel, donkey, mink or goat hair over your face (they’d rather you didn’t), then check out these wonderful alternatives.
What’s on this page?
Cruelty-Free and Vegan Flat Foundation Brushes
Flawless: Classic Foundation Brush
Flawless is one of my favourite brands, and this is my regular makeup brush. It doesn’t absorb too much product, and gives you a nice, smooth finish.
- £7.95
- Plastic-free
- Flat brush (other styles also available)
All its brushes (it has them for eyes, contouring and blush too) and products are cruelty free and skincare.
Made with bamboo handles, and recyclable aluminium, these brushes are environmentally friendly too. Only slight con is they start to shed after about six months.
Lush: fresh faced brush
All Lush brushes are cruelty free and vegan, and great quality too. This brush has a wooden handle and recyclable aluminium holder (topped with a vegan lacquer) this brush is satisfying to hold and kind on the planet.
- £18
- Plastic-free
- Flat brush (other styles also available)
Spectrum: A03 Oval Foundation Brush
Spectrum is colourful online superstore for makeup brushes. And don’t worry – every brush is cruelty free and vegan (certified by PETA). This foundation brush just happens to be my pick of the bunch.
Spectrum has every brush you could ever imagine, well, need. You can largely choose from a range of colours for the handle/bristles.
- £8.99
- Not plastic-free
- Flat brush – two colours (other styles also available)
Urban Decay: Flat Optical Blurring Brush
Not all Urban Decay makeup products are vegan, but all the brushes are. The whole range is made from synthetic fibres, which mimic the more traditional brushes.
This flat foundation brush is slightly pricer than other options, but it’s a good, effective brush, and recommended by a lot of makeup artists.
- £24
- Aluminium handle
- Flat brush (other styles also available)
Illamasqua: Foundation Brush
Illamasqua has a lovely range of super soft, synthetic brushes. This foundation brush is a bit larger than some others, but there are a couple of concealer brushes if you fancy a smaller one.
- £21
- Not plastic free
- Flat brush (other styles also available)
The Body Shop: Fresh Nude Foundation Brush
The Body Shop is always a go-to for cruelty free goods, and all its brushes are synthetic and vegan. This foundation brush is a nice-looking and effective product.
I found the bristles started shedding after a few months/washes, but it has plenty of 5 star reviews.
- £15
- Plastic-free (bamboo and aluminium)
- Flat brush (other styles also available)
Tropic: Eco Artist Precision Face Brush
Tropic’s range of brushes has grown over the past year, and this double-ended face brush can be used for foundation, concealer and blusher – a really good all-in-one.
- £18
- Handle made from recycled wood
- Double-ended brush
Cruelty-Free and Vegan Buffing Foundation Brushes
E.l.f.: Buffing Foundation Brush
E.l.f is like a cruelty free superstore – it has everything and everything is cheap. The buffing foundation brush (and all its brushes) are synthetic, and this one can be used with powder and liquid foundation.
- £6
- Not plastic-free
- Round, buffing brush
Barry M: Powder Brush
Cheap, cheerful, but always cruelty free and vegan, Barry M is a great place to get makeup brushes. This powder brush is soft, effective and can be used with foundation or just to wipe your face to remove grease.
- £3.99
- Not plastic-free
- Round, buffing brush
3INA: The Powder Brush
This vegan foundation brush from 3INA may be the prettiest one on the list – the mint green handle is a nice, fresh addition to your makeup bag and collection. The soft, synthetic bristles are perfect for even coverage of powder foundation.
- £22.95
- Not plastic-free
- Round, powder brush
Wrapping Up
So there you have it, 10 synthetic cruelty free and vegan brushes. The market is becoming kinder and tech is becoming better, so synthetic should be the norm in a few years.
FAQs
Foundation brushes traditionally are made of animal hair – usually horse, but squirrel, donkey, mink and other animals are also used.
Synthetic foundation brushes can be made from a selection of different materials that mimic the more ‘traditional’ brushes. Materials vary, but nylon and polyester are common.
Yes you should use a synthetic foundation brush!
No animals are harmed, and synthetic fibres are less porous and therefore you get more foundation on your face, and less stuck in your brush.
Official guidance is to clean your foundation brush once a week, in warm, soapy water.
