Vegan Makeup Brands in Australia: Top Ethical Beauty Picks (2025 Guide)

Key Takeaways

  • For Sensitive Skin: Try INIKA Organic for its 100% vegan and certified organic formulas that are gentle and high-performing.
  • For a Minimalist Routine: Choose Fluff cream blush, lip oil, and bronzing powders for multi-use, refillable, vegan products that also reduce waste.
  • For High-Performance Formulas: Consider Lust Minerals for its vegan, mineral-based products that deliver long-lasting coverage while being good for your skin.

The team at The Institute of Makeup Artistry has curated this guide to the best vegan makeup brands in Australia, with recommendations to help you navigate the world of ethical beauty and make conscious choices for your makeup kit.

Best vegan makeup brands in AustraliaImage Source: IMUA.

Before the mid-2010s, it was virtually impossible to find good vegan makeup in Australia. But with increasing concerns around animal testing, toxic ingredients, and misleading "greenwashing" labels, more makeup artists and consumers are demanding transparency and accountability. This guide is designed to help you find the best vegan makeup brands in Australia that align with your values and support ethical beauty.

Why Choose Vegan Makeup?

Vegan makeup is more than a passing trend. Here's how this conscious decision creates a more sustainable beauty routine.

  • Ethical & Compassionate: By choosing products free from animal-derived ingredients, you support a cruelty-free industry that doesn't harm animals.
  • Environmental Benefits: Vegan cosmetics in Australia often use more sustainable plant-based ingredients and have a lower environmental footprint.
  • Skin-Friendly Ingredients: Products with no animal by-products tend to contain fewer potential allergens, making them a great choice for sensitive skin.

It’s important to understand the difference between cruelty-free and vegan makeup. While cruelty-free means a product was not tested on animals, a vegan product contains no animal-derived ingredients whatsoever. The best way to be sure is to look for certifications like PETA, Leaping Bunny, or Vegan Australia Certified.

Top Vegan Makeup Brands in Australia (List + Mini-Reviews)

From cult favourites to indie gems, here are the leading brands offering vegan makeup in Australia that you need to know about.

1. INIKA Organic

If you're looking for a brand that's serious about clean beauty, you have to check out INIKA Organic. This Australian natural makeup pioneer combines top-notch performance with pure and ethical ingredients.

Top Products: The Loose Mineral Foundation is a game-changer, and their Long Lash Mascara is a cult favourite. Basically, if you want high-performing natural makeup products, they have you covered.

Certifications: They've got the badges to prove it! INIKA is Certified Vegan, Organic, Cruelty-Free, and they're even the world's first Plastic Neutral makeup brand.

Where to Buy: You can shop directly on their site or find them in local stores, salons and health stores all over the world.

Why Users Love Them Customers love that their makeup works just as well as conventional brands, but without any of the nasties. It's especially popular with people who have sensitive skin.

2. Ere Perez

If you're into that effortless, 'less is more' look, you need to know about Ere Perez. This boutique Australian vegan makeup brand is all about creating beautiful, innovative products using the power of plants and superfoods.

Top Products: Their concealer">Lychee Crème Corrector is a fan favourite for its creamy, non-cakey finish, and the Blue Cypress Face Nectar is a must-have for dry skin. And while their famous Almond Mascara isn't vegan (it contains beeswax), they offer a fantastic vegan alternative with the Avocado Waterproof Mascara.

Certifications: PETA certified cruelty-free and certified carbon neutral since 2016. The brand is predominantly vegan and is actively working to remove the last few animal-derived ingredients from their line.

Where to Buy: You can shop directly on their site or find their vegan cosmetics in select natural beauty boutiques across Australia and internationally.

Why Users Love Them: Customers rave about how gentle their formulas are, especially for sensitive eyes. People also love their honest commitment to sustainability and their unique plant-based ingredients.

3. Fluff

If you want a brand that's the total opposite of fast beauty, you'll love Fluff. This Melbourne-based company creates simple, natural makeup designed to enhance your features, not hide them, with refillable, multi-use products.

Top Products: Don’t miss their refillable Bronzing Powder, Cream Blush, and Lip Oil, designed to be used on eyes, lips, and cheeks for a super easy routine.

Certifications: Fluff is a proudly vegan, cruelty-free, and palm oil-free brand with a focus on plastic-free packaging. Their commitment to sustainability is part of their core identity.

Where to Buy: Fluff's products are available exclusively on their website during limited quarterly "drops." This model is all about encouraging thoughtful, waste-free purchases.

Why Users Love Them: People are obsessed with Fluff's minimalist approach and high-quality formulas that let your skin breathe. The elegant, refillable Cloud Collection is a major selling point, making ethical makeup feel stylish and timeless.

4. RAWW Cosmetics

If you're looking for vegan beauty products in Australia that are both healthy and high-performing, you have to try RAWW Cosmetics. This Australian-made brand infuses every product with nourishing superfoods, so your skin feels happy and healthy all day long.

Top Products: Their Coconut Kiss Lipsticks and glow-boosting Acai Berry Glow Illuminator are both packed with good-for-you ingredients.

Certifications: RAWW is certified vegan and cruelty-free. The brand is also proudly Australian-made and owned, with a strong focus on sustainable packaging.

Where to Buy: You can shop directly on the RAWW Cosmetics website or find them at select ethical beauty retailers.

Why Users Love Them: Users love that these natural makeup products offer great coverage and real skin benefits. This brand's commitment to sustainability and effective vegan formulas makes it an enduring favourite.

5. Eye of Horus

Want to feel like a modern-day goddess? Eye of Horus is a luxury Australian brand from Byron Bay that blends ancient beauty wisdom with modern clean standards. Their products are made with sacred botanicals and are designed for high performance and ingredient integrity.

Top Products: The award-winning Goddess Mascara is perfect for sensitive eyes. They also have an incredible Bio Mascara that’s 100% vegan.

Certifications: This brand is certified cruelty-free and focuses on clean formulations that are gentle on the skin. While their classic Goddess Mascara contains beeswax, their vegan line is perfect for those seeking entirely plant-based vegan beauty products in Australia.

Where to Buy: You can shop directly on their website or find them in high-end beauty salons, pharmacies, and select retailers across Australia.

Why Users Love Them: Customers are drawn to the brand's unique blend of ancient inspiration and modern luxury. Their products are consistently praised for being high-performing, gentle on sensitive skin, and housed in iconic, luxurious packaging.

6. Nude by Nature

If you've been in the clean beauty space for a minute, you've probably heard of Nude by Nature. This Sydney-based brand is Australia's number one mineral makeup line, focusing on products made with 100% naturally derived ingredients and powerful native Australian botanicals.

Top Products: Their award-winning Natural Mineral Cover Foundation is a cult classic. It gives great, buildable coverage with a luminous, natural finish. They also have an amazing range of bronzers, highlighters, and brushes.

Certifications: Nude by Nature is certified cruelty-free by PETA. While the brand is not entirely vegan, it does offer a wide range of vegan-friendly products. The brand is also free from harsh chemicals, making it a top pick for sensitive skin.

Where to Buy: You can find their full range on their official website or at major retailers both in Australia and internationally, including Boots and John Lewis.

Why Users Love Them: This is a trusted brand that's been around for years, and people swear by the flawless finish and skin-friendly formulas. They're a perfect example of how vegan cosmetics in Australia can deliver top-tier results without compromise.

7. Lust Minerals

If you're on a mission to find makeup that works for your skin as it does for your look, you need to check out Lust Minerals. This Australian vegan makeup brand focuses on high-performance, mineral-based formulas that are nurturing and long-lasting.

Top Products: Their famous foundation comes in liquid, loose, and pressed powder. You'll also love their primers and concealer, which are formulated to be extra comfortable and nourishing.

Certifications: Lust Minerals is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and proudly Australian-made. It's one of the best examples of vegan makeup in Australia that is also free from harmful chemicals.

Where to Buy: You can shop directly on their site and use their personalised Colour Match Service. It's also sold in select salons and retailers of vegan beauty products in Australia.

Why Users Love Them: Customers rave about this brand's ability to create makeup that stays put all day while feeling lightweight and comfortable, making it especially popular with those who have sensitive or acne-prone skin.

8. Kester Black

Want a brand that's a true leader in ethical beauty? Choose Kester Black. This Australian company started with a focus on non-toxic nail polish and has grown into a highly respected name in clean, multi-use cosmetics.

Top Products: Famous for non-toxic, vegan nail polishes. People also love their Swipe Up Mascara, a best-seller that lengthens and defines without smudging.

Certifications: You can trust this brand’s mission, as it was the first makeup brand globally to become a certified B Corp. It's also certified vegan, cruelty-free, and even carbon neutral.

Where to Buy: You can find their products on their website, or in select Australian retailers. They also have a global presence, stocked in major department stores like Liberty London.

Why Users Love Them: Customers love that Kester Black's products are not only effective but also backed by genuine ethical and environmental values. The brand’s commitment to sustainability and clean formulations makes it a go-to for conscious consumers.

9. Scout Cosmetics

If you've ever thought organic meant boring, you need to meet Scout Cosmetics. This Australian brand proves you can have glamorous, high-performance beauty that's still clean and good for you, thanks to its nourishing, superfood-infused formulas.

Top Products: Their breathable, water-permeable nail polishes are a must-try. Fans also love their mineral makeup and serums which are packed with certified organic ingredients.

Certifications: Scout is both COSMOS and Australian Certified Organic, so you know their ingredients are top-notch. The brand is also 100% vegan and cruelty-free, making it a reliable option for vegan makeup in Australia.

Where to Buy: You can shop on their website or find them in over 300 locations across Australia, including Go Vita stores, pharmacies, and health food stores.

Why Users Love Them: Customers love the brand’s luxurious, effective results using natural ingredients. The clean, organic formulas make it a perfect choice for anyone who wants a simple, healthy routine.

How to Spot a Truly Vegan Makeup Brand

Navigating the world of clean beauty can be tricky. But knowing what to look for can help you find genuinely ethical vegan makeup in Australia.

  • Look for Trusted Certifications: Check for logos from Vegan Australia Certified, PETA, or Leaping Bunny.
  • Check the Ingredient List: Be sure to avoid common non-vegan ingredients like carmine, beeswax, lanolin, and honey.
  • Be Wary of Greenwashing: Marketing buzzwords like “natural” or “plant-based” don’t guarantee a product is vegan.
  • Research Brand Policies: Use reputable databases to verify a brand's policies before buying their vegan makeup.

Where to Buy Vegan Makeup in Australia

Finding ethical beauty is easier than ever with so many great local and online options. Here are the best places to buy vegan beauty products in Australia.

  • Direct Brand Websites: For the widest selection and exclusive offers, shop directly on a brand's official website, like those we've listed above.
  • Ethical Retailers: Dedicated online stores like Nourished Life, Flora & Fauna, and Biome curate a collection of trustworthy, ethical, and sustainable brands.
  • Major Retailers: Mainstream beauty stores like Adore Beauty and Priceline have made conscious shopping easier than ever by adding specific filters for vegan products.

The Final Word on Ethical Beauty

The best part is, you don't have to compromise. Finding high-quality, ethical beauty is easier than ever with so many incredible vegan makeup brands in Australia. You can feel confident in your choices, knowing that kind, clean products can deliver stunning results.

If you love the beauty industry, The Institute of Makeup Artistry offers online makeup courses that turn your passion into a profession. Our expert tutors share the latest techniques and products, ensuring you graduate as a skilled industry leader. Explore our courses and download our free prospectus today.

Ethical vegan beauty in AustraliaImage Source: IMUA.

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