Blush is a criminally underrated part of a beauty regimen. After all, rouge has been highlighting our cheekbones and giving us a youthful glow since the days of ancient Egypt.
However, in recent times we have been breezing past the blush section, making a beeline towards the bronzers and BB creams. I say it’s high time that blush made a comeback.
I don’t know about you, but one area where I was lazy about my veganism was when it came to the cosmetics I used. I was a hypocrite for causing a racket about eating animals and their byproducts when, meanwhile, I’m slathering my face with products that contain bee propolis, ambergris, guanine, and other yucky things. Maybe you can relate?
But the thing is, it’s hard to know exactly which ingredients to avoid when most of them read like something out of the textbook I had for organic chemistry in the 10th grade (don’t worry, I passed).
So. In this article, I plan on dropping some knowledge about what ingredients to avoid when shopping for your new compact, as well as some suggestions of vegan blushes you should look into trying.
Ingredients to Avoid
- Parabens & Phthalates – These are pretty well-known, harmful materials that still somehow seem to make their way into most cosmetic products. However, you would be wise to opt for products that do not use them. Parabens are known to penetrate your skin and wreak havoc on your reproductive, nervous, and immune systems, while phthalates disrupt your endocrine system.
- Cochineal Dye (also known as “Carmine”) – This substance is made from the carcasses of cochineal beetles, which are crushed up to produce a deep red dye that is then added to many blushes. Ew.
- Tallow – This ingredient forms as a result of boiling slaughtered animals. The fatty substance is used in a variety of cosmetics to help products maintain a certain consistency. Ew ew.
Top 6 Vegan Blush Brands
BH Cosmetics Nude Blush Palette
BH Cosmetics’ powders are always well-pigmented and come in diverse and vivid colors to match any skin tone. Plus they’re vegan, cruelty-free and all their products are clinically tested, just like this 10 Color Blush Palette, which offers different colors for you to play with.
What We Love
This highly pigmented color palette is incredibly diverse and contains both light and dark shades. It’s suitable for all skin tones and is perfect for everyday looks. You can also mix and match the colors to create a customized shade, and it’s perfect for everyday looks. And it comes at a great price point.
What We Didn’t Like
This palette doesn’t come with a brush.
The Bottom Line
This palette is great value for money, has lovely colors and applies smooth for a flawless look.
Jing Ai Sierra Glow Duo Blush
Jing Ai is one of my all-time favorite vegan beauty brands. They now have a line of creamy, cruelty-free blushes that come in a portable dual compact. The three compacts in their line each include two different shades, which means the range of colors works to suit any skin tone. All of their compacts also include a high-quality kabuki brush for application.
Ingredients
The ingredients used are all USDA organic certified and mainly include nourishing ingredients, such as rose, sunflower, and grapeseed oils. Also, the chic container holding the blush is 100% biodegradable!
What We Love
You end up with three different shades in one compact! Because the compact already includes two different shades of blush, I was able to mix the two together to get the perfect shade. The main ingredients are also non-comedogenic, which means that there’s less of a chance that this product will cause you to break-out. Finally, each compact is priced at a steal for a product of this quality.
What We Didn’t Like
The compact is fairly small, so if you use this vegan blush daily it is likely that you’ll have to purchase this item pretty frequently.
The Bottom Line
This product is totally worth a purchase. It’s reasonably priced, contains high-quality vegan ingredients, and is very versatile.
HAN Natural Pink Strawberry Blush
HAN Cosmetics is a cruelty-free beauty brand that also uses many natural ingredients in their products. They’re also fans of making their products perform double-duty, having come out with a line of stick cheek and lip tints. Luckily, their new line of pressed blushes is no different. Each powder blush is talc-free and can also be worn as eyeshadow.
Ingredients
The blush formula is nutrient-dense, as the company uses only natural dyes, such as pink carrot and red quinoa, to get the preferred strawberry coloring. They also incorporate other antioxidant rich ingredients like green and black tea in their product.
What We Love
This vegan blush is highly pigmented, which means it gives you a good amount of color with minimal usage. The price tag is also very reasonable considering the product’s first-rate quality.
What We Didn’t Like
The blush can get a little cakey during application. Also, the compact doesn’t travel very well if you’re looking for a product you can carry with you for any necessary touch-ups. The top to the compact is very fragile, and it kept popping out when I was carrying it in my purse. I ended up having to store it in a makeup bag in my bathroom.
The Bottom Line
I’ve purchased more expensive blushes from more recognizable brands, and the quality of this blush is definitely of similar quality, eco-conscious, and has a cheaper price tag. I would buy it again.
Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush
This tri-colored blush blends together to create the most beautiful shade that is bound to complement any skin tone. Too Faced offers cruelty-free cosmetics in adorable packages. Their Perfect Flush Blush line even comes in a heart-shaped case.
What We Love
You can also use this blush as a highlighter. I’ve used it on my brow bone and cupid’s bow with great results!
What We Didn’t Like
None that I can see.
The Bottom Line
Great quality blush in a beautiful package, sold for a reasonable price.
100% Pure Powder Blush
100% Pure is an organic, cruelty-free beauty company that makes incredible vegan products. While the company also offers non-harmful skin care, body care, and hair care products for children and adults, they also have a wonderful cosmetics line.
All of their products use quality natural ingredients that are chock-full of antioxidants and other beneficial vitamins.
What We Love
The rose color is absolutely lovely and flatters almost any skin tone. Also, the compact contains a lot of product, which means that you won’t have to purchase this item too often, so it works as a good, daily go-to blush.
What We Didn’t Like
The price. This item is currently in the higher price range for blushes with no application brush included.
The Bottom Line
As expensive as this blush is, it’s worth it. The blush is highly pigmented and applies easily. You also get a good amount of product, which makes the price a little easier to swallow.
Milk Makeup Lip and Cheek Stick
The ironically named Milk Makeup is another vegan cosmetics company that specializes in eco-conscious make-up. Milk’s cheek stick can also be used as a tinted lip balm and is made mainly from peach nectar, mango butter, and avocado oil.
When used as blush, the cheek stick typically lasts 6-8 hours, and since it comes in stick form, rather than a compact, it’s easy to tote around for daily use.
What We Love
The creamy consistency of the blush is absolutely lovely and makes for easy application.
What We Didn’t Like
The high cost! This blush is a bit overpriced in my opinion.
The Bottom Line
If you’re willing to splurge on a top-notch product, then go for it. However, there are blushes out there that are just as good for a fraction of the price.
Healthy Glow, Healthy Animals
Now that you have five great vegan blush brands to choose from, you no longer need to support cosmetic companies that aren’t cruelty-free.
You can find these blushes as well as other vegan-friendly options in store or better yet, online. Shopping for these brands online makes it easier to weed out the good vegan cosmetics companies from the non-vegan ones.