The 6 Top Cruelty-Free Waterproof Mascaras We Totally Love!
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Waterproof mascara is a must-have for those summer days when you know you’re going to cry your eyes out at the wedding; or, when you’re planning on hitting the beach and don’t want your makeup running down your face.

And, since summer is when sweat and humidity are at an all-time high, it’s essential to have good waterproof mascara that can withstand the heat and won’t smudge all over your face.
Not all mascaras are created equal, though. From cruelty-free to vegan and everything in between, there are a lot of options out there.
But, if you are specifically looking for cruelty-free waterproof mascara. The six cruelty-free waterproof mascaras below are our absolute favorites, and we know you’ll love them too!
Table of Contents
Benefits of Using A Cruelty-Free Mascara in Your Beauty Routine
Before, there was literally no mascara in the market that was cruelty-free.
However, as the public becomes more aware of animal cruelty in the beauty industry, manufacturers have created cruelty-free products to cater to this market.
Nowadays, numerous cruelty-free waterproof mascaras are available that can give you all the benefits of using mascara without harming any animals in the process.
If you are looking for a cruelty-free mascara, here are some of the benefits that you can expect:
Healthier and Longer Lashes
Most cruelty-free and vegan mascaras are made with natural ingredients that are good for your lashes.
So, you will get the lengthening and volumizing benefits of mascara, and you’ll also be nourishing your lashes simultaneously.
This is in contrast to some conventional mascaras that contain harsh chemicals that can damage your lashes over time.
For example, propylene glycol, a common ingredient in conventional mascara, has been linked to skin and respiratory irritation. Parabens, also commonly found in mascara, have been linked to cancer.
So, if you want to avoid these harsh chemicals, opt for cruelty-free and vegan mascara.
You Know Exactly What’s In It
When you buy cruelty-free and vegan mascara, you can be sure that there are no hidden animal-derived ingredients in the product.
Most cruelty-free beauty brands value transparency, so you’ll always know exactly what’s in their products.
This is in contrast to conventional beauty brands that often use ambiguous terms like “fragrance” to cover up the fact that they use harmful chemicals and animal-derived ingredients.
Vegan brands must also list all of the ingredients in their products, so you’ll always know what you’re putting on your lashes.

No Animals Were Harmed in the Making of The Product
The most obvious benefit of using cruelty-free mascara is that no animals were harmed in making the product.
Rabbits and mice are commonly used in mascara testing and are routinely subjected to painful procedures like having their eyelashes pulled out, or chemicals dripped into their eyes.
With cruelty-free mascara, you can be sure that no animals are harmed in making the product.
Plus, most cruelty-free brands are vegan, so you’ll know that no animal-derived ingredients were used in the product.
Gentle To Sensitive Eyes
If you have sensitive eyes, you know how difficult it can be to find mascara that doesn’t irritate your eyes.
But, because cruelty-free and vegan mascaras are made with natural ingredients, they are often gentler on sensitive eyes.
Your lashes will thank you for switching to cruelty-free waterproof mascara!
How to Find a Cruelty-Free Waterproof Mascara That Suits Your Needs
Before finding a cruelty-free waterproof mascara that suits your needs, you need to know what kind of look you’re going for.
You need to ask yourself these questions:
- Do you want a natural look or a more dramatic look?
- Do you want lengthening, volumizing, or both?
- What is your budget?
- Are you looking for a specific cruelty-free certification?
Once you know what kind of look you’re going for, finding a cruelty-free waterproof mascara that suits your needs will be a breeze.
Six Top Cruelty-Free Mascara That You Need To Know About
Are you ready to find the perfect cruelty-free waterproof mascara for your needs? No need to scour the internet!
Check out our list of the six top cruelty-free waterproof mascaras below.
We love the nourishing ingredients in this cruelty-free lengthening lash mascara that's also vegan!
Primary benefits: Builds volume in a single coat and lengthens lashes, strengthens lashes over time
Features:
- Lengthening
- With coconut oil, vitamin B, and kelp extract
- Free from harsh chemicals
Pacifica Beauty is all about clean beauty, and their Aquarian Gaze Water-Resistant Mascara is no exception.
This is one of the top vegan drugstore mascaras we can find.
Nourished with coconut oil, kelp extract, and vitamin B, this cruelty-free mascara is gentle on your lashes and gives you the lengthening effect you’re looking for.
The brush is also designed to give you full coverage with just a few strokes. Plus, it’s affordable, so you don’t have to break the bank to get lengthening cruelty-free mascara.
It is free from parabens, silicones, phthalates, mineral oil, and petrolatum, which makes it one of the healthiest cruelty-free mascaras on the market.
We love how this sport mascara can take your lashes from the beach to the gym!
Primary benefits: Lifts, volumizes, and lengthens lashes
Features:
- Coconut oil
- Korean zero-waste formula
- With 11 botanical extracts
If you have lashes that are on the thinner side, then you’ll want to try Eyeko’s Beach Waterproof Mascara.
This vegan, waterproof mascara is specifically designed to give your lashes a boost of volume.
The brush wand is shaped like a lotus that curls your lashes and separates them to give you that full, voluminous look.
With 11 botanical extracts like blueberry, blackberry, and strawberry, this Korean-made cruelty-free mascara is also great for your lashes’ health.
It is one of the more expensive cruelty-free mascaras on the market, but it’s worth the splurge if you’re looking for a volumizing mascara.
Plus, a little goes a long way with this product to last a long time.
We love the hourglass-shaped brush that elongates and curls lashes with just one coat!
Primary benefits: Provides definition and curl, volumizes lashes, and makes them appear fuller
Features:
- Porcelain flower extract
- With unique peptides
- Water-resistant polymers
Too Faced’s other mascara might get all the hype, but their waterproof version is our favorite.

The Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara lives up to its name by giving you the longest, thickest, most volumized lashes possible.
But, what we love about this cruelty-free mascara is that it also defines and curls your lashes like no other.
The hourglass-shaped brush holds more product, so you can coat your lashes and build up the volume.
Plus, the waterproof formula means that your lashes will stay curled all day (or night) long.
Whether looking for a natural or more dramatic look, this mascara is a great option.
We love how this gives us the false lash effect without any of the fuss!
Primary benefits: Has a false lash effect, adds volume and length to lashes
Features:
- False lash effect
- Conical fiber brush
- Fragrance-free
Falsies can damage your lashes, but who doesn’t love the look of long, voluminous lashes?
The Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara gives you the look of falsies without any damage.
The secret is in the conic fiber brush that sculpts and coats your lashes for maximum volume.
There is no clumping, flaking, or smudging with this cruelty-free mascara, so you can rest assured that your lashes will look amazing all day long.
And, because it’s from Essence, a cruelty-free and vegan drugstore brand, you know that this mascara is free from alcohol, parabens, and other toxic ingredients.
We love that this is safe for our sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers!
Primary benefits: Provides curl, length, and volume to lashes; softens and conditions lashes
Features:
- Infused with Skinvigorating™ ingredients
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Conditioning formula
If you have sensitive eyes, you know how difficult it is to find a waterproof mascara that doesn’t irritate your eyes.
Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Splashes Waterproof Mascara is specifically designed for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
The hypoallergenic and ophthalmologist-tested formula is gentle on your eyes and won’t irritate.
The Lights, Camera, Splashes Waterproof mascara contains mineral pigments and Carnauba wax—a natural plant extract, that gives your lashes a volumized look.
The 360-degree magniLASH bristle brush gives length and volume that doesn’t make your lashes look spidery.
This cult-classic mascara definitely lives up to the hype and is one of the top cruelty-free waterproof mascaras on the market.
- Creates full, thicker-looking lashes that last all day and night.
- Waterproof formula helps prevent clumps and is quick drying.
- Apply to eyelashes from root to tip, working in a zig-zag motion to fully coat the lashes.
- Enhanced brush head gives edge to edge control and even coating for multiple applications.
- Cruelty-free, vegan and 100% free from Phthalates, Parabens, Nonylphenol, Ethoxylates, Triclosan, Triclocarban, and Hydroquinone.
E.l.f is a drugstore brand making waves in the cruelty-free beauty world.
They offer a wide range of affordable, vegan, and cruelty-free products that are high quality and perform just as well (if not better) than their higher-end counterparts.
Their Waterproof Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara is no exception.
This volumizing mascara lengthens your lashes and gives them a natural curl.
It is also quick-drying and long-wearing, so you don’t have to worry about smudging or flaking throughout the day.
The best part? This mascara is only $5!
You can easily find e.l.f cosmetic products at your local drugstore or Target.
Frequently Asked Questions
With the rise in the popularity of cruelty-free and vegan products, an increasing number of people are looking for information on cruelty-free mascaras.
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about cruelty-free waterproof mascaras:
Is There a Difference Between Cruelty-Free and Vegan Mascaras?
Yes. You need to remember that cruelty-free means that the product was not tested on animals, but it does not necessarily mean that it is vegan.
A cruelty-free mascara can contain animal-derived ingredients, such as beeswax or lanolin.
A vegan mascara, on the other hand, contains no animal-derived ingredients. While most vegan mascaras are not tested on animals, some are not cruelty-free.
Check the label to see if it is both cruelty-free and vegan.

Are Cruelty-Free Mascaras More Expensive?
Not necessarily. There are cruelty-free options at every price point, from drugstore to high-end.
It is important to remember that just because a product is cruelty-free does not mean that it is automatically pricey.
E.l.f. Cosmetics takes pride in offering cruelty-free products that are also affordable.
Pacifica Beauty is also a cruelty-free brand that offers a wide range of affordable cruelty-free and vegan products, including mascaras.
How Can You Tell if a Mascara Is Truly Cruelty-Free?
The FDA does not regulate cruelty-free labels, so companies can put whatever they want on their products.
The best way to ensure that a mascara is cruelty-free is to check if it is certified by PETA or Leaping Bunny.
Both organizations have strict standards that companies must meet to be cruelty-free.
You can also check the brand’s website or contact them directly to ask about their cruelty-free policies.
A Cruelty-Free and Vegan Waterproof Mascara Is The Way To Go
Mascaras are such an essential part of any makeup routine.
Aside from being a cosmetic product, mascara also has some practical purposes.
It can help to protect your lashes from the sun and wind, and can also help to keep your eyelashes healthy by providing them with nutrients.
When you wear waterproof mascara, you don’t have to worry about smudging or running if you get caught in the rain or sweat.
Waterproof mascaras are also great for days when you know you will be crying or swimming.
Check out this blog if you run out of cruelty-free waterproof mascara options!