My Take on Being a Cruelty-free (not Vegan) Makeup Artist

My Journey and Why I Focus on Cruelty Free

As a Sydney cruelty free makeup artist, I often get asked if my makeup kit is also vegan or if I am a Vegan makeup artist. I will be honest. When I first heard this question, I did not realise that makeup could be labelled vegan. I am not vegan, but I am trying to be more intentional with what I use. Since makeup is something I work with every day, I know clients appreciate having mindful options. Some people look for cruelty free, others look for vegan. They overlap sometimes, but not always.

Recently, a client booked me because she loved that I offered cruelty free options. While reading my blog, she came across the word vegan, so she asked if my kit was vegan too. I explained that cruelty free is an option, but not vegan, because finding high quality vegan products that fit my standards is a bit harder. Cruelty free products are more accessible because the focus is on the brand, rather than the ingredients.

So I went back to do more research.

Cruelty Free vs Vegan

Vegan means there are no animal derived ingredients.
Cruelty free means the brand does not test on animals.

Products can be:
• Vegan but not cruelty free
• Cruelty free but not vegan
• Both vegan and cruelty free
• Neither

Vegan refers to the ingredients. Cruelty free refers to the brand’s testing practices. Vegan products can still be tested on animals. Cruelty free products can still include ingredients like beeswax.

Personally, cruelty free feels more meaningful to me. I love animals more than humans (sorry, not sorry) and the idea of animals being harmed for lipstick or foundation breaks my heart.

My perspective really shifted after seeing a content creator on TikTok. She owned a beagle who spent five years in an animal testing facility. I learned that certain breeds are preferred for testing. Hearing this was awful and it stuck with me. Even before becoming a makeup artist, the video affected me. When it resurfaced later, I felt that I could not ignore it anymore. That is when I decided I wanted to move toward being a cruelty free makeup artist in Sydney or maybe Australia?!

My Kit Today

I am still transitioning. Not everything in my kit is cruelty free yet. I still own MAC, Dior, Chanel and Gucci products. They are not cruelty free, but I do not want to throw them away because that would be wasteful. I spent a lot on these products and they perform well. So for now, I give my clients the choice. If you request cruelty free only, I can absolutely do that. Otherwise, I might mix them up, both cruelty-free brands and the others.

I also include this in my intake form. So far, I have done two fully cruelty free jobs and I already have another inquiry. It would be wasteful if I chuck everything while the demand was not really there yet.

Why Not Vegan?

If you ask why I do not focus on vegan products instead. The simplest answer is that cruelty free aligns more closely with my values.

Vegan products can still be tested on animals, which defeats the purpose for me. My main priority is reducing animal cruelty. If a product happens to be both vegan and cruelty free, that is purrrffecctttt, but I would probably think twice if it's just vegan and not cruelty free. And will only spend my time researching if I'm REALLY interested.

Another practical reason is convenience. Choosing cruelty free is easier for me as a busy makeup artist, because I can focus on the brand rather than every single ingredient. For example, brands like Huda, Half Magic and Charlotte Tilbury are known to be cruelty free, so I can shop with confidence. Many vegan brands are not automatically cruelty free, and checking every ingredient adds another layer of decision making that I simply do not have capacity for (thanks ADHD)

Some people suggest mineral makeup as a vegan and cruelty free option. I have tried a few mineral products and they are not my preference. I find that the texture and performance do not always meet the standard I want, and I sometimes struggle to work with them.

So at this stage in my journey, cruelty free remains my priority.

Final Thoughts

I hope this helps anyone who is curious about my choices or trying to understand the difference between cruelty free and vegan makeup. I am learning, researching and evolving. Maybe one day I will shift to both cruelty free and vegan. But right now, cruelty free is what makes the most sense for me and for the animals.

If you are a makeup artist who wants to offer cruelty free options or a client looking for a cruelty free service, I hope this gives you clarity. Ciao bella!!