Mascara is the lazy girl’s dream beauty product. A few coats on the lashes, and voila! You’re instantly polished and ready to face the day. However, finding a non-toxic and vegan mascara – that actually works – can be a challenge.

Clean beauty products are healthier for you and for the the planet. Conventional mascaras are formulated with questionable ingredients (retinyl acetate, parabens, aluminum powder, propylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, etc.) that have the potential to irritate the sensitive skin around your eyes.

Five Best Natural Vegan Mascaras

Below are five of best natural and cruelty-free mascaras that really work. These five will define and curl your lashes and won’t smudge or flake right off.

1. Pacifica Beauty Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Mascara ($14)

This mascara is such a gem! Stellar Gaze by Pacifica is an amazing vegan mascara with a very buildable formula that makes it very easy to turn up the volume from a daytime look to a more dramatic lash. It has excellent staying power and doesn’t flake or smudge. The formula gives good length, can hold a curl, and lashes still feel soft after application.

My only issue is with the big wand, which requires careful application to not smudge, but besides that, this mascara is one of the best cruelty-free and non-toxic mascaras at a reasonable price.

2. Lily Lolo Black Vegan Mascara ($20)

Lily Lolo is another amazing natural, vegan mascara that doesn’t smudge or clump. It has a smooth, creamy formula that dries quickly and does a great job of lengthening, adding volume and holding a curl.

One of the best parts about this mascara is its buildable texture, which makes it easy to layer on additional coats for a more dramatic look. The lasting power is excellent and it mostly doesn’t flake (there was a teeny bit, but only at the very end of the day).

The formula is ultra-gentle and suitable for sensitive eyes. Lily Lolo is a winner.

3. Pacifica Beauty Aquarian Gaze Length & Strength Mascara ($14)

If you’re looking of for a water-resistant natural vegan mascara, the Aquarian Gaze from Pacifica is the mascara for you. This mascara has a creamy thick texture that doesn’t flake or smudge, and it’s easy to build up the layers. The rounded wand is perfect for creating volume and length.

The formulation is a bit dryer than the Stellar Gaze, but lasts all day – even in hot weather! As a bonus, it comes off easily at night with a bit of coconut oil.

4. ZuZu Luxe Mascara ($17.60)

ZuZu Luxe is lovely vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free mascara with a very clean and gentle formulation. The thick texture is good for building layers and length, plus it doesn’t flake. I like how my lashes still feel soft after application. It did smudge a bit on hot sweaty days, but not unbearbly.

This nylon brush is a bit basic, but does a good job separating and defining lashes without clumping or smears. Zuzu Luxe is a nice everyday mascara, that also comes in espresso and navy.

5. Gabriel Cosmetics Mascara ($16)

This natural, vegan and gluten-free mascara from Gabriel Cosmetics has a gentle super clean formulation that looks and feels very natural on the lashes. The formula is a bit wet on application, but dries quickly and surprisingly, doesn’t flake. The wand is nice for lengthening and defining lashes.

This mascara doesn’t create the most dramatic volume or curl, but it’s perfect for a clean and minimal beauty look.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed this roundup of five of the best natural, vegan and cruelty-free mascaras. If you love a natural vegan mascara that isn’t on this list, please share in the comments below!