Cruelty-free beauty dupes (without breaking the bank)
As we move into a new year, I’m sure we all have resolutions we plan to put into action in 2024. Being conscious of the products we purchase is a great way to begin a new year, especially as the UK government lifts the ban on animal testing for cosmetic products for the first time in over 20 years.
Cruelty-free cosmetics may seem like they come with an additional price tag—but fear not! This article helps to highlight the best beauty buys on the market that are just the same (if not better) as their pricier competitors without breaking the bank! And they are Leaping Bunny approved, which is even better!
Primark
One high street staple for affordable makeup has been Primark, with popularity and quality rising over the past few years. Their own brand cruelty-free beauty collection has been the talk of social media, allowing customers to stay on trend with the latest trends without costing a fortune!
PS... Vitamin Enriched Moisturising Primer
This primer has featured heavily on TikTok of late, with beauty influencers celebrating the product. The moisturising primer features vitamins E, C, and Niacinamide; it’s the perfect base before applying makeup to ensure hydration all day long!
At a total cost of £4.50, its price tag is considerably less than the acclaimed Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base which rings in at a total of £52.00 for similar results!
PS... Pro Pre-Shampoo Treatment
I’m sure we’ve all seen the rise of Olaplex over the past few years, with many speaking of the wonders it has done at repairing damaged hair and restoring shine and strength. While its positives speak for themselves, one negative is the price tag.
Coming in at £28.00 per bottle for the No.3 Hair Perfector, it can price out many who are looking to nourish their hair without committing to salon prices. But don’t fear, Primark is here to save the day for £4.50!
Their Pro Pre-Shampoo Treatment is an affordable alternative that offers the same great results. Promising to help repair dry, brittle and damaged tresses, it’s a great option for those looking to repair the bonds between cuticles for strong, healthy hair. It’s cruelty-free too!
e.l.f
Another brand that is focused on the accessibility of clean beauty is e.l.f. With the Leaping Bunny sign of approval, they offer makeup at drugstore prices without impacting quality or ethical production.
Halo Glow Liquid Filter
I’m sure all us makeup fans know the difference a good base can make to the finished product. e.l.f’s Halo Glow Liquid Filter is the perfect accompaniment to your favourite makeup base, helping to give your complexion a radiant, glowing filter-like effect IRL!
The skincare-makeup hybrid is available in a range of shades to fit a variety of skin tones and undertones, it’s a great alternative to the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (which totals to £39) without compromising on impact!
e.l.f Power Grip Primer
When you think of e.l.f, I wouldn’t blame you if you mind didn’t go straight to their approach to clean and affordable beauty and instead went straight to their Power Grip Primer. It’s a product that has gone viral on social media for its ability to help your makeup last longer and brighten your skin tone.
While there are two versions available on the market, I’d implore you to check out the Power Grip Primer with added niacinamide (if you can catch it in stock) as it helps to even out your skin tone, providing the benefits of skin care in a sticky primer finish!
At around £9.95 a tube, it’s a great alternative to the, also cruelty-free, Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer (priced at £35 per 45ml) that helps to grip your makeup while hydrating your face.
Made by Mitchell
If you have been on TikTok at all recently, I’m sure you have heard of Made by Mitchell. The brand, owned by Mitchell Halliday, has grown in popularity over the years, celebrated for their wide range of colourful products that were high quality and (most importantly) affordable!
Blursh Liquid Blush
One product that has come synonymous with the Made by Mitchell brand is the Blursh Liquid Blush. The liquid to powder finish blush comes in a wide variety of colours, amazing for everyone, no matter their makeup style. Thanks to the blurring technology included in the formula, it looks perfect on all skin types too!
The pigmented Blursh is marketed at £14 on the brand’s website, however, if you’re an avid TikTok user (which lets be real, most of us are nowadays) you can find these makeup essentials at discounted prices, so be sure to check there first!
It’s also a great dupe for the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch LIquid Blush which retails at £22 for the same long-lasting, pigmented pay-off!
NYX
Another brand certified cruelty-free that brings a product that has been on everyone’s lips recently (quite literally too) is NYX. Known for their affordability and ethical products, if you're looking for quality, cruelty-free cosmetics without breaking the bank, NYX is a great place to start.
Fat Oil Lip Drip
One product that has been plastered all over social media feeds recently is their Fat Oil Lip Drip. A slightly modernised version of the Dior addict Lip Glow Oil, the Fat Oil Lip Drip is infused with squalene, raspberry and cloudberry oils, to provide hydrated lip care with a comfortable glossy finish.
At around £7.99 a bottle (without promotion), while it may not be an identical dupe with some claiming it lacks the thickness of the Dior counterpart, it’s a significant saving on the Lip Glow Oil which rings in at £32.00!
Duck Plump Plumping Lip Gloss
If you're looking for a lip gloss that goes the extra mile, you might also want to check out Fat Oil's plumper sister Duck Plump Lip Plumping Gloss. This gloss offers a high pigment payoff with a spicy ginger-enriched formula to give lips a fuller look! The Duck Plump is a great option for those of us who prefer a glossier lip, and with the added full filler effect, it's understandable why this is a viral hit!
2024: the year of affordable (and ethical) beauty
If you can take anything away from this post, apart from the major savings of course, it’s that cruelty-free beauty doesn’t have to set you back financially. The products featured in this post are a few viral treasures at the moment, be sure to check back for our favourite beauty finds as we move into 2024!