What are the Best Cruelty-Free Eyeliners? Top Vegan Eyeliner for 2019

If many people were given the choice to pare down their makeup routine and stick with just one cosmetic product, they would choose to keep their eyeliner. For thousands of men and women, no other piece of makeup is more essential or versatile, as it helps them perfect any look or outfit they would like. Whether you want to enhance your natural look, would like to seem put together as you run errands for the day, or need a dramatic eye for a night out, eyeliner defines your features and puts the finishing touch on any look. 

When people adapt the vegan lifestyle, they can be worried that they may have to give up this essential product. It’s not easy to swap out makeup products that are tested on animals and full of chemicals or synthetic products for ones that are cruelty free, natural, and vegan. At first glance, it may seem as if organic, vegan eyeliners can’t hold up to traditional, expensive, and long-lasting products. 

Luckily, you don’t have to worry, and it’s easier than it seems to find a vegan eyeliner that’s cruelty free yet won’t smudge and lasts throughout the entire day. Although you may find dozens of options along the aisles of the grocery store, the good news is that you’ll find just as many options online for people who would like to find a product that is not tested on animals and doesn’t contain any animal products whatsoever. 

Given this, how do you know which vegan and cruelty free eyeliner is right for your needs? An explanation of the best eye pencils, liners, and liquids are explained below. Each of them are vegan and cruelty free, and they often contain natural and organic ingredients that glide onto your eyes in a smooth application so you can achieve the look that you’re dreaming of. Whether you prefer gel, pencil, or liquid liners, you’re sure to find the best type of eyeliner product that adheres to your vegan lifestyle. 

Top 5 Vegan Eyeliner Brands

Beauty For Real I-Line 24-7 Waterproof Gel Eyeliner **TOP PICK**5 out of 5 stars
Zuzu Luxe Precision Liquid Eyeliner 4.8 out of 5 stars
INIKA Certified Organic Eye Pencil4.7 out of 5 stars
Honeybee Gardens Effortless Eye Liner4.6 out of 5 stars
BaeBlu Natural Hypoallergenic Eyeliner Pencil 4.5 out of 5 stars

Features to Consider When Browsing Vegan Eyeliners 

First of all, determining which eyeliner type you need will dictate the choices you make as you browse your options online or look through the beauty aisles of your local department store. If you need a look that’s easily smudged and blended, yet is subtle and natural, a pencil is the best choice. If you need something that easily reaches into a wing and is sharp and clean, a liquid or gel liner is for you. 

It’s true that the amount of choices you face for eyeliners may be overwhelming, but if you keep a few features in mind, you can determine right away whether the product is right for you, and if it’s indeed the vegan and cruelty free eyeliner you’ve been searching for. 

Features to keep in mind include: 

  • Packaging. The most simple way to realize how truly cruelty-free that an eyeliner product is, is to look for the seal provided by the Leaping Bunny. This certification indicates that the company doesn’t conduct any testing on animals and also doesn’t sell products in countries where animal testing is not only legal but required. If you can see this logo, it takes all the guesswork out of your effort–you can rest assured that you’ve landed a product that’s cruelty free. However, it’s important to keep in mind that even if the product doesn’t show this logo of the Leaping Bunny, it’s not necessarily cruel. In this case, you need to conduct more research. By keeping an eye out for phrases such as “not tested on animals” on the packaging, you can determine what the company’s stance is. You can also look them up on Leaping Bunny’s website. 
  • Ingredients. Often, ingredients that contain sneaky names or which you’re unfamiliar with end up being animal derived. This includes carmine, lanolin, and glycerin. If anything like this is on the packaging of your eyeliner, don’t buy it; you don’t want to end up investing in crushed bug dye or sheep oil that will ruin your collection of cruelty-free makeup. 

The Best Vegan Cruelty Free Eyeliner List


Beauty For Real I-Line 24-7 Waterproof Vegan Gel Eyeliner

This gel eyeliner from Beauty For Real is completely waterproof and provides a matte finish that lasts for 24 hours. The creamy formula is cruelty free, completely blendable, and features a smooth and consistent gel that helps you apply it precisely every time. It stands up to water from the pool or ocean, sweat, exercise, and humidity–despite anything that you go through during an active lifestyle, this eyeliner will last. The formula is best selling due to its long-lasting wear and the variety of colors, each of which are highly pigmented. Many people enjoy using this eyeliner in its fun colors to make a statement.

There are 11 different shades to choose from, and each has the advanced formula which includes vitamin E to condition your lids. You can work hard all day, without worrying about any smudging or blurring. Since it’s matte, the color is rich and builds up to a smokey eye with no problem. The eyeliner is also easy to use; instead of having to use a sharpener, you can just twist the end up to 25 times to get more product. Best of all, this eyeliner is perfect for sensitive eyes as it nourishes, conditions, and is gentle and cruelty free. Beauty For Real takes pride in being paraben free and cruelty free. If you want high pigmentation in a vegan, cruelty-product, reach for this eyeliner, which has a smooth application and provides impressive long-lasting wear.

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Pros

  • Free of parabens 
  • Comes in a variety of highly pigmented color 
  • Smooth and easy application that is waterproof and lasts all day 

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Cons

  • Product tends to run out very fast if used daily 
  • Tip of the pencil tends to break off very easily 


Zuzu Luxe Precision Cruelty-Free Liquid Eyeliner 

Zuzu Luxe’s liquid eyeliner features a fine calligraphy tip and a formula that’s not only cruelty free and paraben free, but also non-GMO, gluten free, vegan, and made from completely natural ingredients. Key ingredients include Jojoba Oil, which aids the easy and smooth application and helps to keep the eye area hydrated, as well as aloe barbadensis leaf juice, iron oxides, mica, and sorbitol. There are absolutely no coal tar derivatives or parabens, and it’s safe for all types of skin. This eyeliner is perfect for people looking for a precise, long-lasting finish that dries quickly and is highly resistant to water, so it lasts all day.

All of Zuzu Luxe’s products are made in the USA, cruelty free, vegan, and natural. This eyeliner particularly features a fine tip that defines, shapes, and lines your eyes perfectly. Inspired by the European spa tradition, Zuzu Luxe utilizes all natural and clean ingredients like vitamins, botanicals, herbs, and spring water to not only prevent breakouts but also clean and soothe your skin so you look refreshed and healthy. The eyeliner is free of coloring agents, talc, lanolin, mineral oil, propylene glycol, or hydrogenated oils. Whether you enjoy winged tips or want classic lines, this formula will stay put for a long time.

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Pros

  • Free of GMOs, gluten, coloring agents, and talc 
  • Uses vitamins, botanicals, and herbs to soothe and freshen the skin 
  • Jojoba oil keeps eyes hydrated and provides a smooth application 

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Cons

  • Does tend to smudge easily 
  • Can cause eyes to swell up or develop rashes


INIKA Certified Organic Eye Pencil

INIKA’s eyeliner comes in the form of a pencil that’s certified organic, all natural, and vegan. It’s perfect for sensitive eyes or for those who wear contacts, and it features a creamy and rich formula that gives you the perfect pigment, look, and feel every time. Its creamy and rich consistency is unparalleled on the market of organic eyeliners, and it’s uniquely formulated with coconut oil that’s certified organic for additional nourishment and softness. The formula glides on easily, lasts all day, and helps you achieve dramatic looks to make a statement in a simple and easy way. All of INIKA’s products are cruelty free, certified to be vegan, and 100% naturally derived.

Their organic eye pencil particularly has a silky and soft texture that supports the hydration and health of your eyes as it glides on in a seamless manner. With pure mineral pigments, the pencil is able to provide a great color payoff that’s intense and noticeable. It’s carefully crafted from plant-based, natural ingredients and minerals that deliver vivid color an an all-day wear that’s comfortable. You can apply this for a natural look during the day, or create a dramatic look as you go out at night. Ingredients include hydrogenated vegetable oil, mica wax, sesame seed, and black lovage oil.

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Pros

  • Certified organic and certified vegan 
  • Texture is creamy, silky, and soft 
  • 100% naturally derived 

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Cons

  • When sharpened, the pencil tends to break into splinters 
  • Easily runs and smudges 


Honeybee Gardens Effortless Eye Liner

This eyeliner from Honeybee Gardens is vegan, paraben free, and gluten free, and it aims to be just what its name claims: effortless. You’ll get a great look that lasts all day long with a gentle, long-wearing formula that was designed to prevent any pulling or dragging along the skin, so it’s perfect for people who have sensitive eyes. It glides on very fluidly and gently, from the moment you open the eyeliner to the first time to the last time you’re able to use it before needing to throw it away. It’s very easy to apply, made in Germany, and is certified by PETA to be cruelty free.

Even better, the eye pencil can double as a brow filler, so you get a 2-in-1 product. It comes in seven highly pigmented, great colors, including Envy, Passion, Blue Jeans, Smoking Gun, Jet Set, Belgian Chocolate, and Brown Sugar. From the moment you open it, the liner will glide on fluidly and gently, so you can define and enhance the beauty of your eyes naturally and with ultimate confidence. Without any irritating ingredients such as chemicals or toxins, this eyeliner won’t dry out or irritate your skin or eyes. It’s never tested on animals, and is simply a natural and clean formula that’s free of gluten, dyes, fragrance, petrolatum, SLS, or phthalates.

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Pros

  • Certified to be cruelty free by PETA 
  • Doubles as a brow filler 
  • Free of parabens, gluten, toxins, chemicals, and dyes 

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Cons

  • May cause burning and itching in the eyes 
  • Tends to fade away within a couple of hours 


BaeBlu Natural Hypoallergenic Eyeliner Pencil 

BaeBlu’s eyeliner pencil features a hypoallergenic and natural formula that’s great for people who have sensitive eyes, as its clean and healthy ingredients were specifically designed to not cause any irritation. The application is very smooth and provides intense colors without any of the harsh additives or chemicals that eyeliners traditionally use. The formula contains castor oil and jojoba oil, which is full of antioxidants, so the pencil completely glides across the lids of your eyes, providing all-day wear that’s sweat resistant and won’t smudge, no matter what your day brings you.

The mineral blend provides an ultra deep, rich color that’s just like other pencils you’ve used yet doesn’t contain any of the toxins or harmful ingredients, so it’s a win-win situation for you. There are natural waxes included that repel sweat and water, which you can build up to a smokey eye. The jojoba oil will nurture your delicate skin as well as minimize aging, while the castor oil will support the growth of long, thick eye lashes. If you’re looking for a hypoallergenic eyeliner that’s ethically made to add to your cruelty free makeup routine that’s certified organic, made with all natural ingredients, and contains zero fragrances or artificial colors, this is the one for you. 

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Pros

  • Hypoallergenic formula that was specially designed for sensitive eyes 
  • Contains jojoba oil and castor oil, which nurture skin and promote lash growth 
  • Smooth, gliding application that is gentle 

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Cons

  • The formula is too waxy for many users 
  • People had to take many strokes and try hard in order to apply 


Aesthetica Felt Tip Vegan Liquid Eyeliner Pen 

Aesthetica’s eyeliner pen has a felt tip that will provide smudge proof and waterproof makeup to brighten and define your eyes. Its formula was specially made to dry fast, and it lasts long enough to rival traditional best-selling liners that are also tipped with felt. Its tip is very flexible, which makes it easier than ever to define your eyes, and the end of it will not fray over time no matter how much you use it. You’ll be able to create many different looks, from dramatic wings to natural and subtle lines, and you can choose from two pigmented colors: Dark Brown or Jet Black. Instructions are included that outline your options step by step so you can easily apply the liner for a fool-proof, excellent look.

The liner is packed with ingredients that are high quality, and it’s completely gluten free, cruelty free, paraben free, and vegan so you can feel good investing in it and using it.  The liquid pigment is high impact and expertly defines your eyes with a finish that won’t smudge, crack, melt, or fade away. With this pen, it’s easy to get precise results due to the superfine, flexible felt tip and waterproof formula. Overall, this eyeliner pen will be your next go-to makeup tool for a long lasting and quick-drying look. It glides on gently and smoothly, and will stay all day and all night so you get a great finish.

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Pros

  • Felt tip is easy to apply and won’t fray 
  • High quality ingredients that are free of parabens, gluten, and cruelty 
  • Easy to use and highly pigmented 

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Cons

  • The dark brown version is unfortunately not waterproof
  • Product does run and may leak into the eyes, causing inflammation 


Burt’s Bees Nourishing Cruelty-Free Eyeliner Pencil

Burt’s Bees is a company that’s well known for their all natural and nourishing ingredients, and their eyeliner is no different. It aims to compliment the natural color of your eyes with a soft formula that’s also resistant to smears and fades, and is specially designed to be very delicate as it’s applied to the eye area. This liner contains unique, nourishing, 99.9% natural origin ingredients such as Mano oil, Meadowfoam Seed, and Jojoba–all without synthetic ingredients such as silicones, parabens, fragrances, talc, petrolatum, SLS, phthalates, or toxins. As a matter of fact, this eyeliner is tested by ophthalmologists to ensure its gentle yet effective formula.

It applies very easily and is safe for people who wear contact lenses and for those who have sensitive eyes. Simply swipe onto your lower and/or upper lash line for a pop of color that will define and enhance the natural shape of your eyes beautifully. You can choose from three great, distinct shades that were meant to enhance hazel, brown, green, or blue eyes: Warm Brown, Midnight Gray, or Soft Black. Burt’s Bees eye pencil is nourishing and effective due to its all natural ingredients that hydrate the skin and keep you looking beautiful. On top of all of this, the cedar wood that the pencil comes from is sustainably sourced.

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Pros

  • Tested by eye doctors to ensure its nourishing effectiveness
  • Available in three options that enhance your natural eye color 
  • Contains Jojoba, Meadowfoam Seed, and Mano oil 

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Cons

  • Tend to smear and fade quickly 
  • The colors are not as intense/pigmented as advertised 


Pacifica Beauty Natural Vegan Eyeliner Pencil

This eye pencil from Pacifica Beauty is completely natural, cruelty free, and 100% vegan. Its buttery smooth application features a formula that contains vitamin C, vitamin E, shea butter, and jojoba oil. Each of these naturally nourish your skin and help to keep it soft and healthy. In fact, these ingredients are often included in body lotions and body butters–so you can feel resta assured that it will be gentle and nourishing for your eyes. The formula’s also completely free of any phthalates, parabens, gluten, triclosan, peanut oil, petroleum, mineral oil, propylene glycol, sulfates, or animal ingredients–really, anything that you don’t want on your skin or included in your beauty routine. You’ll only get ingredients that your skin needs and craves to be happy and healthy.

The natural formula is long lasting and will provide hours and hours of wear from beneficial ingredients that are gentle enough for sensitive eyes. Whether you want something dramatic to stand out or want a simple look that supports your natural beauty, Pacifica provides you with eyeliner that lasts as long as you need it to. You can choose from three colors: Gun Metal, Fringe, and Jet, which are grey, brown, and black, and they each are formulated without animal testing, so you can feel good about your investment. Ingredients include iron oxide, hydrogenated seed oil, parkii butter, hydrogenated vegetable oil, and mica.

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Pros

  • 100% vegan, natural, and cruelty free 
  • Formula contains vitamin C, vitamin E, shea butter, and jojoba oil for nourishment and softness 
  • Great for sensitive eyes and available in three colors 

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Cons

  • Expensive investment 
  • Transfers very easily to the eyelid and crease 


Conclusion & What is the Best Vegan Eyeliner

If you enable yourself with the knowledge of the best vegan and cruelty free makeup, you’ll be able to pick out the best eyeliner in the most professional and efficient manner. Eyeliner in particular is an important part to any makeup look, and for many people it’s the product that makes the biggest impact. Whether you enhance your natural look or go bold with an incredible wing, eyeliner can change your look and make a statement.

Luckily, making the switch from products that use animal derived ingredients and cruel testing on animals to products that are vegan, natural, and cruelty free is easy. People who have adopted the vegan lifestyle in particular can rest easy that their favorite liquid, gel, or pencil liner look still comes in many cruelty free and animal friendly options to choose from. Your most difficult decision will be determining which kind of eyeliner to invest in, and which color to pick. 

See our favorite, Beauty for Real (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE).