18 Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands Canadians Should Be Using

Behind the scenes, the beauty industry can be pretty ugly. While more than 40 countries worldwide have outlawed animal testing for cosmetics, many countries still allow domestic animal testing, as well as the sale of beauty products and ingredients that have been tested on animals elsewhere in the world. Believe it or not, Canada has yet to join this list of countries, but we’re getting closer.

In 2015, Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen (now retired) introduced the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act (Bill S-214) to the Senate. Working closely with the Humane Society International and the Animal Alliance of Canada, she called for a ban on animal testing and the sale of animal-tested ingredients and products for cosmetics in Canada. This bill was last introduced in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session, which ended in September 2019. You can join the #BeCrueltyFree campaign by purchasing and supporting these awesome cruelty-free cosmetics brands.

COVERGIRL

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COVERGIRL

COVERGIRL is the biggest makeup brand to receive the official Leaping Bunny Certificate (the gold standard for cruelty-free designation), making the brand an amazingly affordable and accessible cruelty-free option for beauty lovers. COVERGIRL products and ingredients are not tested on animals by Coty or their suppliers. COVERGIRL Lash Blast Mascara, Shoppers Drug Mart,$11.

LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics

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LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics

For more than 30 years, LUSH has been fighting against animal testing and only buying ingredients from companies who do not commission tests on animals. Their passion for animal rights is evident in all that they do, including products like their New Shampoo Bar, $12, which encourages consumers to get behind Humane Society International’s global campaign to ban cosmetic animal testing and trade by signing their petition. The bar contains a blend of cinnamon, clove and peppermint to stimulate hair follicles and help hair grow faster!

Shampoo Bar, Lush, $14.

Sephora

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BITE Beauty

BITE Beauty founder Susanne Langmuir was inspired to make a cosmetics brand drawing on her background in the natural beauty market, as well as her love of kitchen chemistry. She created a lipstick that was made from food-grade ingredients and, subsequently, a handmade, cruelty-free beauty brand manufactured in Toronto. BITE Beauty Power Move Hydrating Soft Matte Lipstick, Sephora, $37.

Shoppers Drug Mart

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e.l.f. Cosmetics

e.l.f. Cosmetics prides itself on bringing luxurious high-quality cruelty-free makeup to the masses for less. The company's website states the following animal-friendly policy: "We do NOT test on animals or endorse such practices. Our products do not contain animal derived ingredients. Beeswax has been replaced by synthetic beeswax and lanolin has been replaced by Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladinpale-2. We currently support HSUS and are partners with PETA in the Caring Consumer Project." e.l.f Cosmetics Holy Hydration! Cleansing Balm, Shoppers Drug Mart, $13.

Too Faced

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Too Faced

Makeup fanatics rejoice! This much-loved beauty brand is cruelty-free and proud of it. According to its website, "Too Faced loves animals! Our products are totally cruelty-free. In fact, our brushes are made with the softest and gentlest teddy-bear hair." Too Faced Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Palette, Sephora, $65.

Shoppers Drug Mart

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Nude By Nature

This Australian mineral-based beauty brand is not only cruelty-free, but they are also fully clean, with products that contain all-natural ingredients. Nude By Nature Cashmere Pressed Blush, Shoppers Drug Mart, $26.

The Detox Market

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Meow Meow Tweet

Meow Meow Tweet is an uber-popular skin care company that uses organic, unrefined plant oils and butters to make all of its products. The company prides itself on being a vegan brand and uses no animal-derived ingredients. They're also Leaping Bunny cruelty-free certified.

MEOW MEOW TWEET Grapefruit Baking Soda Free Deodorant Stick, The Detox Market, $21.

Lise Watier Cosmetics

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Lise Watier Cosmetics

This iconic Canadian beauty brand, founded in 1972 by Madame Watier herself, has a loyal Canadian following and is continuously recognized for its long list of innovative products. Part of the appeal is Lise Watier's commitment to not testing any of its products on animals. Instead, the company ensures product safety through “in vitro” or “self-testing” methods on human volunteers. Lise Watier Portfolio Professional Correctors 4-in-1, Shoppers Drug Mart, $36.

Shoppers Drug Mart

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Essence Cosmetics

This brand offers fun, affordable and high-quality makeup, without the guilt. Essence manufactures its products in compliance with European Union law, which strictly prohibits animal testing. Essence melted chrome eyeliner, Shoppers Drug Mart, $5.

Josie Maran

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Josie Maran

American model and actress, turned beauty brand entrepreneur, created a line that achieves “Luxury With a Conscience.” You can take comfort knowing her cosmetics and skincare line practices fair trade and her products are chemical-free and are not tested on animals. Josie Maran 100 percent Pure Argan Oil, Sephora, $64.

Physicians Formula

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Physicians Formula

Dr. Frank Crandall was an eminent allergist whose wife had sensitive skin, so in 1937 he decided to create a cosmetics line that she could comfortably wear. The brand is now known for its commitment to creating high-quality, hypoallergenic, and often organic beauty products. Blending beauty and health, Physicians Formula is not only recommended by dermatologists, ophthalmologists, and plastic surgeons, but it is vegan, environmentally-friendly, and cruelty-free. Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer, Shoppers Drug Mart, $23.

Anastasia Beverly Hills

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Anastasia Beverly Hills

Innovative brow products put this brand on the map, as did the founder Anastasia Soare’s relationship with the Kardashians (Anastasia has been doing their brows since they were in high school). ABH is cruelty-free. Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel, Sephora, $30.

Cargo

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Cargo Cosmetics

Canadian cosmetics company Cargo offers fun, innovative and award-winning products, based on the idea that its makeup can bring together the world of professional makeup artistry and everyday users. The line doesn't test on animals either.

Essential Lip Color, Cargo, $22.

butter LONDON

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butter LONDON

butter LONDON was founded in 2005 by British entrepreneur Sasha Muir and is now one of the most popular nail polish manufacturers in the world. What sets them apart from their competitors is their imaginative colours, carcinogen-free formulation and their commitment to being a cruelty-free brand. Some products by butter LONDON are even suitable for vegans! butter LONDON Afters Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer, Shoppers Drug Mart, $24.

RMS Beauty

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RMS Beauty

This clean beauty brand’s best-selling product is the ultra-sheer and universally useable Living Luminizer. Cruelty-free and natural is a winning combo. rms beauty Living Luminizer Highlighter, Sephora, $50.

Sephora

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Hourglass

Offering cutting-edge textures and formulas, Hourglass is known for its incredible highlighting and face products. Now you can get your glow on without harming our furry friends. Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint, Sephora, $74.

Sephora

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Charlotte Tillbury

British celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury created her own line of makeup after years of mixing different formulations backstage and on set, all in order to get the perfect application. Her cruelty-free line is accessible to everyone. Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Eye Shadow Pencil, Sephora, $32.

Glossier

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Glossier

This cult-fave beauty brand isn't just cute pink packaging and fun names, Glossier also happens to be cruelty-free. Their lash slick mascara is lengthening, non-smudging and lasts for hours.

Glossier Lash Slick Mascara, Glossier, $20.

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