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A CONSCIOUS CHOICE, YOUR OWN LOOK
Vegan makeup contains no animal-derived ingredients. But how do you recognise pigments such as carmine, and how does vegan differ from cruelty-free? This guide gives you an ingredient check, clear answers and practical help choosing a shade and formula that suit you.
GOOD TO KNOW
Vegan makeup contains no animal-derived ingredients. That describes the formula; cruelty-free describes the testing of products and ingredients. They are different claims. At Mineralissima, both matter to us.
Vegan does not automatically mean entirely natural or suitable for every skin type. Look at the full formula and choose the texture, shade and finish that feel right for you.
THE ESSENTIALS, EXPLAINED
When you shop for vegan makeup, the first question is whether the formula contains any animal-derived ingredients. You cannot always tell from the colour or the packaging. One lipstick may use an animal-derived red pigment while another achieves a similar shade with a different blend of pigments.
A vegan formula describes the ingredients in the complete product. It does not, by itself, tell you how makeup feels, how long it wears or which shade suits you. That is why this guide combines clear explanations with practical tips for choosing a base, mascara, blush and lip colour. Always check the current details for a specific product.
A vegan formula tells you about the origin of its ingredients. Whether a shade and texture suit you is something you discover by comparing the product itself.
A vegan makeup formula contains no animal-derived ingredients. Consider the whole formula, including colourants and supporting ingredients.
This term concerns the testing of products or ingredients. A cruelty-free formula is not automatically vegan; a vegan ingredient alone does not explain the testing policy.
These terms describe the origin or nature of ingredients. A mineral base may be vegan, but you need to consider the full formula.
BEYOND THE LABEL
Some animal-derived ingredients are fairly easy to recognise: beeswax in certain lip products, lanolin from wool fat and carmine as a red colourant, for example. Other ingredient names do not reveal their source on their own, because a substance can sometimes come from different sources. An ingredient list alone may therefore not always settle whether a product is vegan.
A clear vegan statement or product-specific confirmation makes choosing easier. Consider the other product details too: a vegan lipstick can feel very different from a vegan lip gloss, and foundations with similar coverage can feel different on different skin types. Vegan is an important criterion, but your preferred finish, shade and ease of use are personal as well.
If you have a sensitivity or allergy, do not rely on a vegan label alone. Read the full ingredient list for the exact product and seek specific advice if you are unsure.
START WITH THE LABEL
Cosmetic packaging carries a list of ingredients. Those names identify the substances used in the formula. Colourants may also appear under a CI number. For example, CI 75470 is a name to watch for if you want to avoid carmine. The colour of a lipstick or blush cannot tell you which pigment was used: check the list for the exact shade.
The list offers valuable clues, but it does not answer every question about origin. Ingredients such as glycerin and squalane can come from different sources, depending on the formula. The name alone is therefore not proof that a product is or is not vegan. If you are unsure, ask for confirmation for the exact formula and shade. A vegan claim does not replace checking for your own allergies or sensitivities.
For ingredient naming and CI numbers, see the European Commission's CosIng glossary β.
QUICK INGREDIENT CHECK
These names may appear on an ingredient list. If you spot one in a product, that product is not suitable for a vegan choice.
Good to know: names such as glycerin and squalane do not always reveal an ingredient's origin. If you are unsure, ask about the source of the specific product's formula.
The round ingredient images are digitally generated illustrations of possible origins. They do not show materials used in Mineralissima products.
Ingredient names and origins checked against The Vegan Society. Always check the current formula for the exact shade or variant.
BEYOND THE FAMILIAR NAMES
You may encounter these substances in cosmetics, including products beyond makeup. The INCI name is a starting point. Where several origins are possible, ask about the exact raw material.
| Name on the label | What do we know? | Vegan check |
|---|---|---|
| Gelatin | COSMILE lists gelatin as animal-derived. | Avoid it for a vegan choice. |
| Collagen | COSMILE records animal or synthetic origins for collagen. | Ask about the source in the exact formula. |
| Keratin | COSMILE lists keratin as animal-derived; it is more often seen in hair care. | Confirm the product-specific source. |
| Tallow | Animal fat that The Vegan Society says may occur in foundation. | Not suitable for a vegan formula. |
THREE SURPRISING DETAILS
Ingredient names can tell an unexpected story. These examples help you look more closely at pigments, alternatives and accessories.
CI 75470 is carmine, a pigment derived from cochineal insects. A red or pink shade alone tells you very little: check the ingredient list for the exact colour. Source: COSMILE Europe β
Candelilla and carnauba wax can replace beeswax in cosmetics. A plant-based wax does not automatically make the entire formula vegan. Source: The Vegan Society β
A fully vegan routine extends beyond jars and tubes. Brushes can contain animal hair; synthetic bristles are an alternative. Source: The Vegan Society β
FROM BASE TO LIP COLOUR
Your routine need not have lots of steps. Start with the product you enjoy using every day, and add more only when you want to. Here is what to consider in each category. For a vegan choice, always check the exact product formula and shade.
01 / COMPLEXIONLoose mineral foundation can feel light and be built in thin layers. Liquid foundation feels different and may suit you if you prefer applying your base with fingers, a sponge or a brush. Decide which texture you enjoy first. Then compare shades along your jaw and neck, ideally in natural light. Consider whether your undertone is warm, cool or neutral.
02 / EYESBoth the mascara formula and brush affect the result. Would you like subtle definition for every day or more visible volume? Apply one thin coat and build it up if you want more impact. With eyeshadow, you can begin with a neutral shade and add an accent colour later. Check the ingredients and directions for each product.
03 / CHEEKSA little blush can add colour to your face. A shade close to your natural flush often looks subtle; a brighter colour can be applied lightly and built up. Tap excess powder from your brush and blend towards your temples. Pigments can differ by formula, so check product-specific information when choosing a vegan blush.
04 / LIPSFor lips, your preferred look leads the way: lipstick for more defined colour or gloss for shine. Pick a shade you also enjoy wearing with minimal eye makeup. Lip formulas can contain waxes and colourants whose origins matter, so check the details for your chosen shade and formula.
FIND YOUR SHADE
A lovely base works with the look you want for your skin. Start with the depth of your skin tone: light, medium or deep. Then compare undertones. Does your skin lean pink or cool, golden or warm, or somewhere in between? Try a shade along your jaw if possible and check it in daylight.
If you are between two shades, begin with a small amount and give it a moment on your skin before deciding. You can build the coverage of loose mineral powder gradually; with a liquid formula, a thin first layer and careful blending often help. A tester can make the decision easier when you are comparing shades.
Vegan makeup does not prescribe one look. You might choose a barely-there base, a soft everyday blush or a bold lip colour. The right formula and result are the ones that suit you.
FROM RESEARCH TO YOUR OWN ROUTINE
An ingredient list is the beginning of your search, not the end. These three steps help you compare products without assuming an entire collection, every shade or every tool is automatically vegan.
Check the vegan information for the product and the shade you want to order. Pigments and other ingredients can vary between formulas. If the answer is unclear, ask about that specific variant. An ingredient name alone does not always reveal the source of a raw material.
Loose powder, pressed makeup and liquid formulas feel different on the skin. Consider coverage, finish, comfort and the time you want to spend on your routine. Compare foundation shades along your jawline in daylight. A tester set lets you try shades at home first.
Work in thin layers and add coverage or colour only where you want it. Use a clean brush or sponge, and remove your makeup at the end of the day. Brushes matter too: if you wish to avoid animal materials, look for synthetic bristles rather than animal hair.
One more distinction: mineral pigments in makeup do not mean that the product has a tested SPF. Use a product intended for sun protection. See our step-by-step application guide for technique, and our colour advice if you need help with a shade.
YOUR QUESTIONS
Clear answers to common questions when you are building a makeup routine that feels right for you.
Vegan makeup contains no animal-derived ingredients in the complete formula. Check the current ingredients and vegan information for the specific product you are considering.
No. Vegan describes ingredients, while cruelty-free concerns testing. They are separate claims. Consider each one if both matter to you.
No. Mineral pigments do not establish that every other ingredient is vegan. Consider the entire powder, compact or liquid formula.
Look out for beeswax (Cera Alba), lanolin, guanine and carmine, which may also appear as CI 75470. Shellac, honey, propolis and royal jelly can occur too. Other ingredients may come from different sources. Use the ingredient cheat sheet as a starting point and check the full formula for your exact product and shade.
Not necessarily. Vegan concerns the absence of animal-derived ingredients; natural describes the origin of certain ingredients. A product may fit both descriptions, one of them, or neither.
Not automatically. How your skin responds depends on the full formula and your individual sensitivities. Read the ingredients for the exact product and stop using it if your skin reacts.
Start with a texture and finish you enjoy. Then compare skin tone depth and undertone, ideally in daylight along your jaw. Explore our foundation collection and check the vegan details for each product.
Coverage depends on the formula and how you apply it, rather than the vegan claim alone. Start with a thin layer and build where you want more coverage.
Begin with a base you like, add blush and mascara if you wish, then finish with lip colour. You need not use everything at once. Check the ingredients and vegan information for every product you choose.
The links on this page lead to general product categories. Always check the current details for the specific foundation, mascara, blush or lipstick before choosing it.
Do not assume so. Pigments and formulas can vary by shade. Check the information for the exact colour you want to buy, and ask for product-specific confirmation if anything is unclear.
The bristles are the first thing to check. Synthetic bristles do not contain animal hair; natural bristles may come from animals. Check the materials of each brush, including other components, if you want a fully vegan choice.
No. Vegan concerns animal-derived ingredients, not fragrance or how your skin will react. If you have a sensitivity, read the complete ingredient list for the exact product.
YOUR ROUTINE, YOUR CHOICE
Find a base that works for your skin, then add as much or as little colour as you like.
FoundationFrom airy minerals to a fluid finish.Shop foundation β
02 / EYES
Vegan mascaraExplore black and brown, and choose your favourite brush.Shop vegan mascara β
03 / CHEEKS
BlushChoose a soft flush or a little more colour.Shop blush β
04 / LIPS
LipstickThe finishing touch, subtle or bold.Shop lipstick β
READ MORE AND TRY IT YOURSELF
Use this guide as a starting point. The pages below explore shade, texture and application in more detail. Collection links are general overviews: check each product's formula against your vegan preferences.
01 / SHADEChoose a foundation shade βCompare skin depth, undertone and different formulas.
02 / ADVICEPersonal colour advice βHelp finding shades and products that suit you.
03 / TRY ITExplore tester sets βTry shades and textures at home at your own pace.
04 / TECHNIQUEHow to apply makeup βA step-by-step guide to a natural base and colour.
05 / LEARN MOREWhat is mineral makeup? βUnderstand how mineral pigments and formulas relate to vegan makeup.
06 / PERSONALAsk us βUnsure about an ingredient or shade? We can help.
How to cite this page: Kati, founder of Mineralissima, βVegan makeupβ, updated 28 September 2026. en.mineralissima.nl/pages/vegan-makeup-guide.
This guide was compiled under Mineralissima's editorial responsibility with assistance in writing and imagery. Ingredient names and examples were compared with The Vegan Society, the European Commission and COSMILE Europe. The round ingredient images are digitally generated illustrations. This page is not an audit or vegan certification of Mineralissima's entire range. Formulas and pigments can change by product and shade; check current product-specific information and ask about the origin of an ingredient when it is unclear.
