Best Vegan Foundations
Best Vegan Foundations
In 2014, you asked me to share the best vegan foundations and I did. I just updated this post for the best vegan foundations in 2018! Many new amazing foundations are available with extensive shade ranges.
This post contains a mix of press samples and products purchased by me.
My Skin Type
My skin is sensitive, dry and I have rosacea. I’m pale neutral to cool yellow in tone, so it can be hard for me to find a good foundation match.
All of the original pictures taken with studio lighting, no flash, no primer, on freshly cleansed skin. All the redness you see in the swatch pictures is because of the repeated cleansing of the skin. I have not edited out my skin’s imperfections. The images have only been cropped.
For the 2018 images, the lighting conditions vary but the images have not been edited so that you can see how the foundation looks on real skin! I also link to my reviews.
For the best foundation application, try a damp makeup sponge, the UD Pro Optical Blurring Brush or the Sigma F88. You can also blend with your fingertips.
Best Vegan Foundations 2014
All brands in this post are cruelty free. Please see my cruelty free brand list for more information on what cruelty free means to me.
All Cover FX products are cruelty free and vegan.
Cover FX CC Cream Time Release Tinted Treatment SPF 30 – $45 for 1 fl. oz. (this was sadly discontinued)
This is my favorite, as you know. It’s available in 10 shades. I wear N Light, which is a bit dark on its own. It’s a synergistic complex of ingredients produce retinoid-like, anti-aging results without irritation or sun sensitivity. Contains an advanced multi-sphere microsome technology which delivers time release anti-wrinkle actives and treats skin continuously for 8 hours. Infused with Licorice Root Extract to naturally and effectively reduce hyperpigmentation and prevent future discoloration. Includes a built-in Primer plus SPF 30. See my review. (edit I now wear No, this product has been discontinued)
This was my favorite vegan foundation for years. It’s so comfortable to wear. I prefer to apply it with a damp makeup sponge but it looks great with a brush too. I feel like I get a better shade match to my skintone with a damp makeup sponge. I also like to mix in some Illamasqua Skin Base in 1 to make it a perfect match.
- Great for all skin types, but especially sensitive
Cover FX Total Cover Cream Foundation – $42 for .33 oz
The Total Cover Cream is one of the best vegan foundations you can find at Sephora and it has 40 shades available. I wear shade N10, which is a great match. Because it’s a cream formula, you can sheer it our or build it up to full coverage and it doubles as a concealer. Provides optimum coverage of skin imperfections such as acne, redness, under eye circles, uneven skin tones, post-surgical bruising, vitiligo, and tattoos and protection from wind, sun and pollution. See my review. (edit: I now wear No)
- Great for all skin types, but especially sensitive
Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation – $35 for .43 oz
40 shades available. I wear shade N10, which is a great match. This vegan foundation provides a healthy, sheer to full coverage matte finish with oil-absorbing microspheres and moisturizing benefits. Its finish is never cakey or drying to the skin. (edit: I now wear No)
Before I was diagnosed with rosacea, this is the type of pressed powder foundation I would reach for. Sadly, my dry skin doesn’t often handle powder foundations well, though there are a few exceptions.
- Best for oily skin types
Cover FX Natural Finish Oil Free Foundation – $40 for 1 fl. oz.
40 shades available. I wear shade N10, though this oxidizes on me and turns too dark/yellow. This silky smooth foundation provides buildable, sheer-to-full coverage for comfortable all-day wear. Vitamins C and E soothe inflammation and reduce redness while protecting against premature skin aging, and anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties protect against damaging environmental factors. Available in an array of shades, it was designed to achieve a natural-looking, soft finish in a long-wearing water-resistant formula. (edit: I now wear No)
- Recommended for dry skin, normal skin and oily skin
All Silk Naturals products are cruelty free. Over 95% of their products are vegan and gluten free. They have other foundations too.
Silk Naturals HD Cream Foundation – $11.99 for 12 gram tube (.42 oz roughly)
25 shades available. I wear N10, which is a perfect match. This HD Cream vegan foundation has Ceramic Microspheres for a flawless airbrushed finish. Lightweight 100% natural formula won’t crease or settle into fine lines. Natural matte finish that blends beautifully, and looks like healthy skin. Sets to a dry finish so you won’t leave grease marks on your clothes or phone. Gluten free. This is the best indie vegan foundation. See my review.
- Great for all skin types, including the ultra sensitive.
- If you have super oily skin, avoid this.
All Urban Decay products are cruelty free and Leaping Bunny Certified. They have many vegan products.
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup – $39 for 1 fl. oz.
26 shades available. I wear shade .5, which is a good match, though cooler and deeper than I like. This formula helps skin achieve a natural, illuminated and bright finish— like the beautiful skin you were born with. Naked Skin vegan foundation is formulated with light-diffusing spheres, transforming you to look professionally retouched. Buildable coverage allows women to customize their look. This is one of the best vegan foundation formulas for a my skin but better type of look. See my review. I find that .5 turns orange on me, sadly. I love the finish!
- Recommended for all skin types
- If you have sensitive skin use the Vitamin B-6 prep spray first
- If you have oily skin, set this with De-slick powder
Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm SPF 20 – $34 for 1 fl. oz.
3 shades available. I can wear Naked Light, but I really need to mix it with something to lighten it to better match my skintone. It’s supposed to minimize pores, lines, wrinkles and redness instantly. It’s a lightweight, velvety, oil-free product. Dries down to a demi-matte finish. See my review.
- Recommended for all skin types
- If you have sensitive skin use the Vitamin B-6 prep spray first
- If you have oily skin, set this with De-slick powder
All Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics products are vegan and cruelty free.
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics OCC Tint: Tinted Moisturizer – $29.50 for 1 fl. oz.
12 shades available. I wear Y0 and Y1 mixed together. It’s a high-opacity, adjustable-coverage tinted moisturizer. Featuring a unique moisturizing complex made from purified water, coconut, and wild berry extracts, this foundation product nourishes as well as hydrates skin. OCC Tinted Moisturizer is one of the most sheer vegan foundations I’ve ever tried.
- Recommended for all skin types
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics OCC Skin Conceal – $20 for .28 oz
12 shades available. I use both R0 and Y0. If you’re using OCC Tint, you should combine it with Skin Conceal for a finished look. It nourishes and hydrates the skin with cocoa extract, aloe leaf extract, and vitamin E for coverage that feels as good as it looks. This is really an amazing concealer. I feel like R0 is nice and brightening under the eyes and along the cheekbones, in that magical triangle zone. I feel like Y0 is great for covering up imperfections and red marks on my face.
- Recommended for all skin types
All Geek Chic Cosmetics products are cruelty free. Many are vegan and gluten free.
Geek Chic Cosmetics Cutie Face Foundation – $9.99 for 5g (roughly .176 oz)
6 shades available. I wear shade Kahlan, aka the Confessor. A lot of testing goes into the formulation of good vegan foundation: pH balancing, color matching, and limiting abrasiveness.
- Recommended for all skin types, but especially for sensitive oily skin
All Meow Cosmetics products are cruelty free. Many products are vegan. Meow offers 3 different foundations but I’m listing my favorite here.
Meow Cosmetics Pampered Puss Foundation – $25.95 for 3 oz jar
Available in 86 shades. I wear Inquisitive Siamese, but I can also wear Inquisitive Sphynx. Sometimes I have to tweak with Snow Lynx to lighten my shade. Designed to soothe and calm, it will amaze you with it’s sheer, layerable coverage. Matte finish. See my review.
Before I was diagnosed with rosacea, I loved this vegan foundation because of how nicely it would meld with my skin.
- For all skin types but excellent with sensitive skin
All Paula’s Choice products are cruelty free and most are vegan. A few items use beeswax. All foundations are vegan. Paula’s Choice is Leaping Bunny Certified.
Paula’s Choice RESIST Instant Smoothing Anti-Aging Foundation – $25 for 1 fl. oz.
8 shades available. I wear 0 Porcelain. I’m happy that they added 2 darker shades. Enjoy light to medium coverage that smooths wrinkles and leaves a soft, luminous finish. See my review.
- Best for combination and oily skin
Paula’s Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 30 – $17 for 1 fl. oz.
Available in 4 shades. I wear Level 1 Fair Light, but sometimes I have to mix in a few drops of a white foundation to lighten it for a better match. This light and silky tint evens out your complexion with a hint of color while keeping out the sun’s rays. See my review.
- Suitable for all skin types.
Paula’s Choice RESIST Instant Smoothing Satin Finish Powder – $15
4 neutral shades available. I have the Porcelain / Fair shade.RESIST Instant Smoothing Satin Finish Powder instantly perfects and refines skin so it looks smoother, softer, and younger with a hint of natural color. This ultra-fine powder provides light, buildable coverage.
- Suitable for all skin types but especially for those with rosacea, breakouts and sensitive skin
All Dreamworld Hermetica products are cruelty free. All of their foundations are vegan.
Dreamworld Hermetica Cloud Foundation – $17.50 for 45 gram jar (roughly 1.58 oz)
170 shades available. I wear shade Arianrhod 1 or Hecate 1. Cloud is formulated without mica. It has rice powder and some kaolin clay to help soak up excess oils. Yes, you read that right, there are 170 shades available, from the palest to the deepest. From neutral to olive to pink to blue undertones. For the cheek, left to right, Hecate 1 – Astrild 1 – Arianrhod 1. Dreamworld has the best vegan foundation shade range of any indie brand.
- Suitable for all skin types but best for oily skin
Too Faced Cosmetics is cruelty free and there are several vegan products.
Too Faced Air-Buffed BB Crème – $39 for .98 oz.
5 shades available. I wear Snow Glow. Our Air Buffed BB Crème may look demure, but this is one hard-working lady. Our Air Buffed BB Crème is where skincare and makeup meet. The cream-to-powder formula provides long-lasting, complete, buildable coverage with 5-in-1 benefits: Treats, Perfects, Mattifies, Primes and Protects with SPF 20 See my review. I believe this was discontinued.
- Suitable for all skin types, but especially dry
Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm SPF 20 – $34 for 1.5 oz
6 Shades available. Snow Glow is a little dark for me, but works if I add a bit of Illamasqua Skin Base 1. It provides tinted, sheer coverage that goes on quick and works all day to protect, prime, mattify and perfect. I believe this was discontinued.
- Suitable for all skin types, but especially dry
Illamasqua offers some vegan friendly products. All of their products are cruelty free.
Illamasqua Skin Base – $42 for 1 fl. oz.
Available in 26 different shades. I wear 2 or a mix of 1 and 4. It smooths, softens and conditions your skin whilst providing natural, buildable coverage. I use 1 to make foundations that are too dark but have a nice finish, light enough for my skintone. I don’t see people talking about this vegan foundation much anymore. See my review of 1, 2, 4, and Au.
- Suitable for all skin types
Face Atelier is cruelty free. Ultra Foundation is vegan.
Face Atelier Ultra Foundation – $48 for 1 fl. oz.
Available in 16 shades. Heat adds warmth. Zero Minus lightens foundation, while Zero Plus or Zero Plus Plus deepens foundation. This is silicone-based, hydrating, yet oil-free. I use it to lighten foundations that are too dark for me.
- Suitable for all skin types
Tarte is cruelty free and they have many vegan products.
Tarte Amazonian clay 12-hour full coverage foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen – $38 for 1.7 fl. oz.
Available in 16 different shades. Fair Sand is too dark for me unless I mix it with Face Atelier Zero Minus. This vegan foundation formula has a satin-matte finish.
- Suitable for all skin types
Tarte Amazonian Colored Clay Liquid Foundation SPF 15 – $39.56 for .68 fl. oz.
Available in 5 shades. I have Fair, which is too dark for me unless I mix it with Face Atelier Zero Minus or Illamasqua Skin Base 1. This lightweight liquid foundation smooths over skin with ease to deliver a satin, full coverage finish. Infused with Amazonian colored clay, the antioxidant-rich formula camouflages imperfections and diffuses the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I think the finish on this foundation is gorgeous. Their shade range sucks.
- Suitable for all skin types
The All Natural Face is cruelty free and vegan. They’re listed on Leaping Bunny’s website.
The All Natural Face Vegan Cream Foundation – $16.10
Available in 50 shades. I wear Porcelain Kissed by Honey. Cream foundation made with organic jojoba oil, organic argan oil,candelillia wax, mica, oxides, tuitanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The great thing about this is that it comes in a compact and you can buy refills for it, so it’s a very ‘green’ product.
- Suitable for normal to dry skin
The All Natural Face Pressed Powder Foundation – $16.10
Available in 50 shades. I wear Porcelain Kissed by Honey. Pressed powder foundation made with Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Oxides for Color, Boron Nitride, Purified Water, Vegetable Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate ( food grade preservative),Cosmocil CQ( non-formaldehyde, non-paraben preservative, used in baby wipes and contact lens solution), Xanthan Gum. It comes in a compact with a mirror and you can buy refills for it.
- Suitable for normal to oily skin
Purely Cosmetics is 100% cruelty free and some products are vegan.
Purely Cosmetics Pure Mineral Foundation – $18 for 6 grams net weight
9 shades available, plus custom blends are offered. Lightweight, hypoallergenic and will not clog your pores. This is a nice foundation but I can’t currently wear powders very easily. My skin is too dry for it.
- Best suited for normal to oily skin types, and for those with very sensitive skin.
Pur Minerals is cruelty free.
Pur Minerals 4 in 1 Pressed Mineral Foundation SPF 15 – $26 for .28 oz
12 shades available. This will emphasize dryness in dry skin. While it doesn’t work for me I know several people who swear by it.
- Suitable for normal to oily skin types
Hourglass is cruelty free. Several products in their lineup are vegan. They plan on being 100% vegan by 2020!
Hourglass Veil Fluid Makeup SPF 15 – $60 for 1 oz.
11 shades available. A super-luxe medium coverage treatment foundation with short and long-term benefits for the skin. Fortified with a pair of powerful anti-aging actives, Veil Fluid Makeup creates the appearance of younger-looking skin.
- Best for oily skin
Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation – $55 for 1 fl. oz.
16 shades available. A breakthrough liquid-to-powder foundation formula that absorbs oil, camouflages imperfections and delivers a long-lasting, velvet-matte finish.
- Best for oily and acne-prone skin
Best Vegan Foundations 2018
Here are additional vegan foundations that are fantastic! Like before, I list which skin type I think they work best for.
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick – $46 for .25 oz.
The Hourglass Vanish Foundation Stick comes in 32 shades. My closest match is Blanc. I’m still testing out this foundation to review. I do like the ease of application and it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin at all. It’s pricey but one of the best vegan foundations for dry sensitive skin.
- Suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive
The Ordinary Coverage Foundation – $6.90 for 1 fl. oz.
The Ordinary Coverage Foundation is a very full coverage foundation. It clung to my dry patches, so I don’t think it’s suitable for dry skin.
- Suitable for normal to oily skin
The Ordinary Serum Foundation $6.70 for 1 fl. oz.
The Ordinary Serum Foundation is available in 21 shades. I can wear the shade 1NS (neutral with silver highlights) if I add white to it. It’s insanely comfortable for dry skin. I have to wear it with the Ordinary High Spreadability Fluid Primer and set it with my Laura Geller Balance-n-Brighten in Porcelain. This is the most affordable vegan foundation. See my review.
- Best for normal, dry or very dry skin
Fenty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation – $34 for 1.08 oz
The Fenty foundation launch was a huge success! While I don’t have a shade match in this vegan foundation, the closest shade for me is 100. Unfortunately, it turned a copper color on my skin after it dries down. I think this is one of the best vegan foundations for oily skin. See my review.
- Best for oily and acne-prone skin
The Body Shop Matte Clay Skin Clarifying Foundation – $16 for 1 oz
The Body Shop Matte Clay Skin Clarifying Foundation is one of the best vegan foundations if you’re looking for a full coverage matte foundation that’s also resistant to water and sweat. Peruvian Lily is my closest shade match in the line. This is a great vegan foundation for oily skin.
- Best for normal to oily skin
Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation – $35 for 1 fl. oz
Kat Von D Lock-It foundation has 30 shades available. According to Sephora’s Color IQ L41 Neutral is a match for my skintone. It does match me color wise but the formula doesn’t work for my dry skin. It’s the most full coverage vegan foundation I own. I love the Kat Von D Beauty brand and aesthetic but I wish that they would make a foundation that’s suitable for dry skin! See my review.
- Best for normal to oily skin
Huda Beauty FauxFilter Foundation – $40 for 1.18 fl oz.
The Huda Beauty FauxFilter Foundation launched with 30 shades. Lucky for me, the shade Milkshake is a great match for my skintone. It’s one of the best full coverage vegan foundations. The only downside to it is that it has a horrible floral smell. If you are sensitive to fragrance you will want to avoid it. It’s too full coverage for my taste, but I love that I don’t have to add white to it, so I mix it with Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer to make it less full coverage on me. Surprisingly it does not break out my sensitive skin. It’s one of the best vegan foundations that I’ve found to date. See my review.
- The brand claims this works for normal, dry, oily and combination skin. It does work well for my dry sensitive skin.
Idun Minerals Norrsken Foundation – $28 for 1 fl. oz.
The Idun Minerals Norrsken Foundation is the best dewy vegan foundation formula that I’ve ever come across. It’s the best vegan foundation for very dry skin. It gives medium coverage and feels wonderful on the skin. If you don’t set it with a powder, it will transfer. I wear the shade Jorunn. See my review.
- Best for dry or very dry skin.
Idun Minerals Nordic Veil Foundation – $28 for 1 fl. oz.
The Idun Minerals Nordic Veil Foundation is the best vegan foundation for my skin. I love it and wear it all the time! Before I found it, I wore the Huda Beauty non-stop. This one does not have a floral scent! It’s medium-full coverage, which is more than I like, so I mix it with Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer to make it light-medium coverage. I also set it with Laura Geller Balance-n-Brighten in Porcelain. I think it looks beautiful on my skin. I wear the shade Jorunn. See my review.
- Best for normal, dry, oily, combo skin. Skip if you’re very oily.
If you ask me to pick just one vegan foundation, it would be the Idun Minerals Nordic Veil Foundation. I love that I don’t have to add white to it and that it is long wearing. I can get up to 16 hours of wear with my primer and setting powder. It doesn’t emphasize fine lines or dry patches. It’s so good
Looking for more? Check out
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- Top 10 Indie Lipstick Brands with swatches of 100 lipsticks!
What do you think of my roundup of the best vegan foundations? Have you tried any of them? Do you have trouble finding the right shade of foundation? Which do you like best?
Have you tried the Australian vegan, organic brand, Inika?
Looks wonderful and feels even better. Fresh, glowing, long lasting foundation in liquid or powder minerals. There primer is gorgeous. Really helps makeup stay on even through our often hot climate and workouts!
Fantastic list! I’ve finally found a great source for vegan/cruelty free make-up -and- you seem to have my skintone annnd I also have blue hair at the moment (:
Question tho, have you heard about the Gosh brand? I’m looking into buying the Gosh X-Ceptional Wear one, I hear it’s great for very pale skin, and affordable and vegan! Curious if you have experience with it!
Great piece – my only concern is that Urban Decay is owned by L’Oreal, so not sure peoples stance on a vegan ‘brand’ whose profits still go in to the same pot as a corp like that? I’m unsure if any of the other brands are owned by non-vegan conglomerates as I didn’t check, just know UD off the top of my head 🙂
Hi Molly,
I support brands that are cruelty free even if they have a non cruelty free parent company. See more about my cruelty free policy on my cruelty free brands list page – https://phyrra.net/cruelty-free-makeup-brands-list.html
My name is Molly…
And fair enough! This is my first time using your site, so wasn’t familiar with the policy. All that said, love your work 🙂
So sorry! Corrected.
The Paula’s Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint isn’t available any more. It’s a bummer for me; I had repurchased it many times.
To Phyrra,
May I asking questions please about cruelty-free of waterproof foundation in hot Summer and in swimming pool. I not want other foundations who not have waterproof that can smudge, budge and that make rubbing foundation comes off on face. I thought Revlon cosmetics is cruelty-free but I found out that I upset that China worst-strict law to testing on animals that I NOT happy. I shocked why Revlon is not cruelty-free. I wish Revlon is become cruelty-free back again.
Question: Now I must asking you questions please is: which one is drugstores have cruelty-free of waterproof/sweatproof and rub-proof foundations which one brands, please???
My waterproof foundations is Revlon that have “ColorStay” and have good pink undertones too. Now I need find other new one to using instead Revlon ColorStay to instead other waterproof foundations with cruelty-free and I not know which what name brands of waterproof?!? I can’t find.
I want buying waterproof foundation of cruelty-free is Becca but Becca is very expensive cost $44 and Kat Don D foundations is expensive cost $35 dollars. That very expensive. I heard that Cover Rx is good but still too expensive. I stuck that crazy China law that animals testing on Revlon that I using waterproof of ColorStay that I stuck with expensive one of other waterproof foundations with waterproof if drugstore not have cruelty-free of good guality cheap foundations with waterproof. Revlon foundation waterproof only $10 cheap but I upset angry with this China to testing on animals that I not know that until I found out.
Thank you for big help me! I hope you can found!
Thank you, Andrea Hill.
being a vegetarian myself,i’d love to try some of these,thanks for posting x
Love the too faced foundation
wow thankyou for sharing!
SO FAR,MY FAVE BLOG POST YOU’VE WRITTEN
Thanks for the review!!
Thank you for the review of the vegan foundation, i’ve been trying to switch to vegan product and loving the review
I really want to try UD foundation but have never gotten around to it. Thank you for this informative post!
Hi! I was just wondering which has the most coverage?
Hi! After 2 years of living as a vegetarian I have recently made the decision to go vegan. Upon researching various cosmetics companies I was shocked to discover how many still test on animals! I am very disappointed that Estee Lauder take part in animal testing as I have used Double Wear for the past 10 years and am dubious about changing. Any advice as to what vegan foundations are most similar to Double Wear? Thanks!!
What I would recommend is trying Cover FX Custom Cover Drops mixed with your favorite skincare product, because that will give you total coverage. Cover FX is all vegan.
Thank you for the list! I am 51 and still looking for a good foundation for my mostly oily-still-dealing-with-acne but now i have some wrinkles and skin sagging skin.
LOVE YOUR BLUE HAIR!!!
You’re very welcome! So happy it helps 🙂 And thank you 🙂
hello, thank you so much for this list. You did a wonderful job, really appreciate it.
It did take me forever!
I’ve tried Silk Naturals, Meow Cosmetics and The All Natural Face and I don’t like any of them. I use Ocean Mist Cosmetics mineral foundation (have for years. It has great coverage, good shade range doesn’t separate on my skin like the ones mentioned before, stays well and it really affordable. The price has gone up but it’s still cheaper than most mineral makeup brands. Even if the ones you tried are cheaper they aren’t worth it compared to Ocean Mist’s foundation), Physician’s Formula Air Brushed Pressed Powder (though it’s a bit dark. Their coverage is good but shade range sucks. I usually just use this very lightly as a setting powder as it’s pretty good at combating my t-zone oiliness and making my makeup stay longer. Though I haven’t been using it since I’ve been using Mattify Cosmetics Mattify Powder for Oily Skin which is better. You use it a a primer and setting powder), and Honeybee Gardens Pressed Mineral Powder (again good coverage but limited shade range though at least they have lighter shades than Physician’s Formula). I have been wearing mineral foundation for 12 years and have tried pretty much all the brands. These ones are the best by my experience.
I think it all depends on what works best for you. My favorite is the Cover FX CC Cream in N Xtra Light or N Light mixed with Face Atelier Zero Minus. I love the finish and how it looks on me, plus the anti-aging ingredients.
Thank you for your informative reviews & I really love your Cruelty-free List. I can’t wait for the day when there’s no need for such a list, because there is NO more testing done on animals. Not by anyone or for anything! In a perfect world we wouldn’t have to worry about these things. Now all I have to do is make a decision on which one to try first & see where it takes me. So many choices, but at least they’re GOOD choices.
You’re very welcome Joyce! I’m so happy you found this helpful.
This post must have taken you forever to do! Amazing! I have the naked foundation from UD.
Love this list! I have been hopelessly stymied in finding a compact or tube “cream-to-matte” foundation as so many cruelty-free and vegan foundations are either liquid or powder/mineral format. Any suggestions where I should search for that ever-elusive compact or tube “cream-to-matte” foundations that happens to be under $35?
The only cream to matte foundation that I know of is Performance colors foundation, which is cruelty free but I don’t think it’s vegan. It’s a nice foundation.
I had the opportunity to try the Hourglass Immaculate foundation in a Sample from a Sephora order and i’m truly tempted to purchase it. I bought the mineral veil primer and it has become my Holy Grail primer for everyday.
Sounds like it’s awesome for you
Amazing list of foundation, thanks for all your time.I have a very hard time finding the right shade of foundation.
No problem!
I wonder how you feel about the NARS tinted moisturizer. It’s so hard to find a good foundation that doesn’t oxidize on my skin or dry out the area around my eyes. I’ll have to check some of these out. I love the Hourglass Illusion tinted moisturizer, but it’s a bit too sparkly for me. I’ll have to try the Skin Base again. It’s too bad they’re not in Sephora anymore. I’m not sure they’ll give samples at Bloomingdale’s and I’m nearly positive they don’t at Kryolan City, which is the other place they sell Illamasqua in Chicago…
Hi! I love NARS tinted moisturizer, but when I contacted them to find out if any of their foundations were vegan they didn’t get back to me. I still recommend the NARS tinted moisturizer, but it’s not in this post because – as far as I’m aware – it’s not vegan.
That makes sense! Thanks, Phyrra. 🙂
An amazing amount of work & suggestions! You’ve given this pale girl hope!
So happy to hear that!
This post must have taken you forever to do! Amazing! I have the naked foundation from UD.
Would appreciate if you can check out my blog. Just followed you on twitter.
I just made various social media accounts and would love any support! 🙂
Amazing list, thanks for all your time. Where does Phyisians Formula fit into this list? I am using the BB, CC products in both liquid and powder formulas. Great for my 58 yr old skin. Xo Linda
Hi! Physicians Formula is cruelty free but I don’t think any of their foundations are vegan. They’re also all too dark for me and have a limited shade range. So if they work for you, that’s awesome, but they don’t have very many shades.
Ok sorry, forgot that detail. Linda
I love the look of the Too Faced Air-Buffed BB Creme! The shade that would best match my skin tone would likely be Snow Glow as I’m very, very fair. I love the matte yet natural looking finish. I’m a huge fan of Too Faced’s Teddy Bear Hair brushes so I’m sure this foundation would be a pleasure to apply. 😀 My skin is VERY sensitive and easily irritated so having that soft lovely brush to apply the foundation with is a huge plus.
I have a very hard time finding the right shade of foundation. Most brands do not carry a shade that is light enough for me. If they do have a shade that is light enough it is usually too pink for me (cake face) or too yellow for me (jaundice face). I need a very light shade that is neutral or neutral-to-cool in tone.
I really want to try Zero Minus! It sounds like it could be one of the answers to my foundation prayers. 😀
This is such an amazing list! I will definitely be referencing it over and over. I’m so sorry you had a flair up from all the applying and removing though. (((hugs))) Thank you so much for doing this comprehensive list! <3
You’re very welcome! I prefer neutral shades myself. I think Snow Glow or Silk Naturals N10 or Cover FX N10 would be good, as they’re all neutral.
:0 I’m waiting on my package of Kahlan foundation to arrive.. I’m so excited now after seeing it on you! I took a gamble on it 😛
It’s a great match! I wish that my dry skin didn’t hate mineral foundation these days.
I’m so oily, it seems perfect! I was a bit worried about the colour because my foundation hasn’t matched my face for YEARS but I foresee a bulk order in the near future! 😛
Cover FX is releasing a new BB Gel foundation that is made for oily skin! I’ll be sharing more information on it as I have it. I got to sneak peek it last night when I was hosting their event.
What an amazing post and such an incredible amount of research and work! I can’t believe how different many of these are – I had no idea there was so much variation in foundation texture. What an education.
I’m so happy you like it 🙂
Thank you so much for all reviews. I have been having a really good match for my skin. So i have new list to look at.
You’re very welcome!
Wow! Thank you for this epic, awesome, and thorough review!
You’re welcome Sheila! I hope you found a new foundie to try 🙂
great round-up, thanks for putting this list together!
You’re very welcome 🙂
Totally agree with you on the Too Faced. It’s so good.
They do a great job with their foundations
Ah, this is the big foundation post you were talking about! I love the OCC foundation.
Yes! It was quite a bit of time in the makiing.
what a thorough list!!! Wow. Some of those look amazing. The tarte one just went on my “to try” list 🙂
Yay happy to hear it!
My face is sore just thinking of you doing all this!!!
How do you find the OCC tint on your drier areas? My skin is Sahara dry, ridiculously sensitive, and I have rosacea too. To top it off though I react badly to all silicones and related ingredients, can’t handle titanium dioxide in percentages over a few percent, and don’t seem to be friendly with too much glycerin or vit c. Yeah, it’s fun. Anyways, unlike most face bases OCC is ok in all those areas, and I like the Conceal, but I’ve read quite a few review saying isn’t for dry skin. Would you agree?
I typically use the conceal under my eyes, which is where it works pretty nicely for me 🙂
Did not even know half of these were vegan foundations! 😀 I LOVE the coverage from CoverFX
The Cover FX CC Cream and the Silk Naturals HD Cream are my favs. The coverage is perfect for me.
I love the tarte amazonian foundation!
They’re nice!
my favorites are the cover fx cc, silk naturals, tarte & illamasqua!
They’re great 🙂
My two faves on your skin are the UD Naked Skin (which I love!) and I really liked the OCC Tinted Moisturizer. Very natural yet looked perfected.
Thank you!
I love the tarte amazonian foundation but I need to catch up on the UD trend for naked items.
UD did a great job with their naked foundation
I had no idea there were so many vegan options.
I’m sure there are more (and there are some I didn’t include) but I really thought these stood out.
So many fantastic vegan options! I love your photos & how you showed the products blended in. CoverFX is on my list!
Yay happy to hear it!
This is such an amazing review. You’ve covered all the bases. From your pictures I’m going to buy Cover FX for sure. That one is perfect on you.
The CC? Woot!
Ohh I want to try both of the UD ones now!
I think you would love the liquid
Seriously informative post and I love it. I have such oily and acne-prone skin and every time I mention that, someone always comes back with Hourglass. I may have to take the plunge and splurge.
I haven’t tried that one personally but so many people recommended it to me when I spoke to them. You should get a sample from Sephora.
I don’t use foundation often. But I am going to have to try a couple of these!
Which piqued your interest?
Thanks for this list, I’m just going to use it as a shopping list haha. I’m actually working on my favourites list as well but I’m not publishing it until I have tested all the ones I can get my hands on. Luckily we have quite a few Australian brands that offer vegan foundation so I’ve been busy.
Oooh I can’t wait to see the Australian brands!
Thank you for sharing. I don’t use foundation now so I was unaware of so many Vegan brands. This is an awesome list.
I wish my skin looked good enough so I didn’t need it. 🙂
Woman… seriously? I am looking at your skin in these photos and it looks awesome 😀 You gorgeous thing you!
The redness I have to my face without foundation really bothers me, which is why I always reach for foundation.
Well – I think you look great 😀 xo
Awesome post – so thorough! I’m thinking about trying a bunch of new products 🙂
Yay happy to hear it!
This was such an amazing post!!!!
Glad you like it!
This is one epic post and I applaud you for that! I have Hourglass, Tarte and Pur.
Which is your favorite?
omg, your poor face, it’s like you can see it getting red and irritated! What you do for your job! Great, thorough post. Honestly I never thought of foundation as being or not being vegan, you constantly teach me something.
So happy to help you learn 🙂 Yeah it got irritated
Great job! I have bookmarked this post; I know I’ll keep coming back to read about coverage, staying power and so on about many of these foundations as my makeup addiction continues.
Yeah I didn’t really cover the staying power or anything in this post, because there are so many, but in my individual reviews I’ve done that.
What a great assortment! This post is a great resource!!! 🙂 I will have to check some of these out since your skintone is so similar!
What’s your current favorite foundation?
What a thorough list! I love Hourglass Immaculate foundation, it’s perfect for my combination skin.
That’s great to hear!
Thank you for such a comprehensive post!!This is very helpful!!
You’re very welcome Amber!
This is a great informative post!
So glad you like it 🙂
Wow, I am bookmarking this one for sure! You’ve got me really curious about the Cover FX. Wish I was near Orlando and could have come to the event. I will check out CoverFX Total Cover Cream Foundation. Looks like a real contender to cover my dark spots. I have a hard time finding foundations without a yellowy look & your photos were very helpful
You can tell that some of them have a yellow tint, like the tarte Fair Sand. Wish you were near Orlando too! The Cover FX products are great.
This is amazing roundup! Thanks for doing this!
Thank you so much for loving it! You’re very welcome 🙂
They really all do a great job! Thanks for the before and after shots
You’re very welcome! I wanted to show them in action.
Thank you for doing this post. i totally didnt know that Face Altier Ultra Foundation was vegan. Great to know. Someone asked me the other day about Vegan foundations too, now I can tell them a few thanks to this list. Great post and amazing presentation swatches. Love this post. Not too many people know about Zero Minus and Zero Plus either. 🙂
Zero Minus and Zero Plus and Zero Plus Plus are awesome! They really can make almost any foundation workable. You’re so welcome!
Wow, thank you so much for doing this!! I can’t believe you did it all in one day, if I have to change my foundation even once my skin gets so angry. My absolute favourite, up until my skin became really dry, is Meow Pampered Puss… now I really only use it in summer. For dry skin seasons, it is now Silk Naturals HD foundation, second place is Illamasqua Skin Base. However, after this post, I will definitely try some of the other cream / liquid foundations.
I did all of them except the two Too Faced on the same day. My skin was too raw to do those last 2, so I had to wait a day.
Same here! I loved the Meow until I got so dry.
I really love the Silk Naturals HD Cream foundation and the Cover FX CC Cream. Those are the 2 I wear more than anything else.
So happy you find it helpful!
What an amazing post. GREAT presentation and photos. Thanks for this, Phyrra!
You’re very welcome!
I need to add a few of these to my to try list. I have only tried the tarte and urban decay ones.
Both are great 🙂
I want to try out the CoverFX one!
The CC Cream? You should!
I use Face Atelier on a lot of my makeup work, editorial and commercial, hasn’t failed me at all. Would love to try Cover Fx. For a while I was also using lllamasqua – it has a great finish but does not work on every skin type so stuck to FA Pro Ultra.
Yeah the Face Atelier seems to have a great finish
This is amazing Phyrra! Thanks so much for putting it together.
You’re welcome!
lots of great options! I’d like to check out the CoverFX.
Yes! I think you’d like them 🙂
I am currently using the CoverFx CC cream in N light also and I love it! In my opinion, the CoverFX CC cream and the Too Faced BB Balm looked the best on you!
I love the CC Cream, that’s for sure 🙂
I have been looking at the OCC tinted moisturizer forever now! It looks really great on your skin!
Some days I think it looks better than others. Sometimes I feel like it doesn’t show up on me at all, BUT if you combine it with the concealer it’s great.
Thank you for this awesome review! It’s hard to find vegan foundations with just the right amount of coverage, so the pictures definitely help!