We all know that makeup brushes are often made with animal fur, and so we have to be diligent to make sure that the brushes we buy are made of synthetic materials. But just because a beauty tool doesn’t have animal fur, doesn’t mean that it’s cruelty-free. For instance, the Shu Uemura company is famous for, among many other beauty products, their eyelash curler, which has a cult following. But Shu Uemura is owned by L’Oreal, who still tests their products on animals in order to sell to the Chinese market. Luckily, there are many excellent beauty tools that don’t come at the cost of compassion.
1. Beauty Blender – the beauty blender is a must-have in your makeup collection. It smooths on creams and lotions in a perfect finish, distributing product evenly and smoothly. It allows buildable coverage for a sheer smooth, or full coverage, look, depending on what you need that day. Additionally, it is latex-free.
2. Tarte Bright Eyed & Beautiful Eye Enhancing Tool – This tool is a must-have part of your eyecare regimen. Simply use it with your current eye serum or eye cream. Vibration frequency technology is used to massage the product into your skin to support maximum absorption. Says one reviewer, “This tool is incredible!!!! It should really be called a magic wand! So easy to use and feels great and much cheaper than the Clarisonic Opal.”
3. Hourglass Retractable Double-Ended Complexion Brush – Ok, so this is a brush, and we said tools. But this brush gets a special mention because it is both versatile and travel-friendly, so perfect for those who live a jet-set lifestyle. This brush can apply it all: foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer. And the best part? It’s made from PETA-approved, high-grade Taklon bristles.
4. e.l.f. Studio Glitter Eyeshadow Applicator – Why deal with the messy headache of applying glitter eyeshadow with a regular eyeshadow brush, when you can use the e.l.f. Studio Glitter Eyeshadow brush to do it cleanly and easily? This applicator has a silicone head designed just for glitter, to grab it and place it on the eyelid. It works with both loose and pressed glittery eyeshadows.
5. Tweezerman Procurl Lash Curler – Move over Shu Uemura, the industry is buzzing about this eyelash curler. Allure Magazine called it the “best new curler and the ultimate device.” The curler features a narrow top bar, thick curling pads, a wide lash-opening, all allowing eyelashes to fit neatly in the curler, and be curled with a natural bend, rather than a crimp. And the rose gold color of the curler makes it stunning, to boot.
The best thing about these tools is that they’re all under $70.
