4 best cruelty-free lipsticks from certified brands, compared

4 cruelty-free lipsticks compared by formula and price

The 4 cruelty-free lipsticks compared below cost $6.00 to $11.99 and come from brands that a certifier lists today. All four are drugstore picks.

1. e.l.f. Sheer Slick: the best cruelty-free lipstick for sheer color

e.l.f. Sheer Slick Lipstick is the best cruelty-free lipstick for sheer color, at $6.00 at Ulta Beauty on October 2, 2026. e.l.f. describes a sheer lipstick with a touch of color and shine for every day. Ulta Beauty shoppers rate it 4.6 out of 5 across 963 reviews. e.l.f. holds the Leaping Bunny certification and appears on PETA’s list with the vegan designation. e.l.f. states that its products are 100% vegan.

2. NYX Suede Matte: the best cruelty-free lipstick for a vegan matte bullet

NYX Suede Matte Lipstick is the best cruelty-free lipstick for a vegan matte bullet, at $9.00 at Ulta Beauty on October 2, 2026. NYX sells it as a lightweight vegan lipstick with a matte finish. Ulta Beauty shoppers rate it 4.4 out of 5 across 1,282 reviews. PETA lists NYX as cruelty-free.

3. NYX Lip Lingerie XXL: the best cruelty-free lipstick for long wear

NYX Lip Lingerie XXL Long-Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick is the best cruelty-free lipstick for long wear, at $11.00 at Ulta Beauty on October 2, 2026. NYX describes a vegan, transfer-proof liquid lipstick with 16-hour wear that does not crack, bleed or fade. Ulta Beauty shoppers rate it 4.2 out of 5 across 1,410 reviews. PETA lists NYX as cruelty-free.

4. Milani Color Fetish: the best cruelty-free lipstick for creamy matte color

Milani Color Fetish Matte Lipstick is the best cruelty-free lipstick for creamy matte color, at $11.99 at Ulta Beauty on October 2, 2026. Milani describes an ultra-creamy, pigment-rich lipstick in velvet-matte shades. Ulta Beauty shoppers rate it 4.6 out of 5 across 881 reviews. PETA lists Milani as cruelty-free.

Which cruelty-free lipsticks are vegan?

The cruelty-free lipsticks in this list that are vegan are e.l.f. Sheer Slick Lipstick, NYX Suede Matte Lipstick and NYX Lip Lingerie XXL Long-Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick. The other brands do not state a vegan status for these products.

What is the price of cruelty-free lipstick?

The price of cruelty-free lipstick is $6.00 to $11.99 across these 4 picks. In this list, the drugstore picks cost $6.00 to $11.99. The cheapest certified pick, e.l.f. Sheer Slick, costs $5.99 less than Milani Color Fetish, the most expensive one. Prices are the Ulta Beauty prices on October 2, 2026.

How do you check that a lipstick is cruelty-free?

You check that a lipstick is cruelty-free by looking up the brand, not the product, on a certifier’s list. A certification covers the whole brand and its suppliers, and the word “cruelty-free” on a package is an unregulated claim in the US.

• e.l.f. meets the Leaping Bunny criteria or its international version, which requires supplier monitoring and independent audits.
• e.l.f., NYX and Milani appear as cruelty-free in PETA's database, which rests on a signed statement of assurance from each brand and its suppliers.

Which other cruelty-free makeup goes with these lipsticks?

The other cruelty-free makeup that goes with these lipsticks is listed below, from the same certified brands.

• Lip gloss and blush under $15 are in our cruelty-free drugstore makeup.

Is there cruelty-free drugstore lipstick?

Yes, there is cruelty-free drugstore lipstick from e.l.f., NYX, Milani, all certified and priced at $11.99 or less.

Does cruelty-free lipstick mean vegan?

No, cruelty-free lipstick does not mean vegan lipstick. Cruelty-free refers to animal testing, and vegan refers to animal-derived ingredients. Leaping Bunny states that its list does not cover the composition of ingredients.