Many GFMG readers ask for help when it comes to gluten-free lipsticks/glosses. For many celiacs who transition to a gluten-free beauty routine, switching to gluten lipsticks is often one of the first steps. Of course it’s best to make sure that all of your makeup is safe, but the fact that lipstick can easily get in your mouth makes this even more crucial.
MAC is a prestige brand of makeup sold in some department stores, their own stores, and online. MAC does not make gluten free makeup, per se, but they do pay enough attention to their products to be able to say which of their products has glutinous ingredients and which don’t. They do acknowledge that even products that don’t contain glutinous ingredients can come in contact with gluten, so gluten free is not. Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer Lipstick. Purchase $35 in Clinique products and get the Fresh Faced Forward (2584914) for $59.50 (valid thru 12/4/21)! Free Gift with Purchase! 4.40 out of 5 stars.
So, what lipstick/gloss brands are gluten free? I’ve reached out to nearly all the makeup companies out there and put together a list of lipstick/gloss brands that are 100% gluten free. I’ll also share my favourite lipsticks/glosses that I’ve used. So keep reading to find out!
List of Gluten Free Lipstick/gloss Brands
The following makeup brands are all gluten-free and offer lip makeup. This list will be kept as up to date as possible but brands may change their formulations. Be sure to double check the ingredients before purchasing.
Best Gluten Free Lipsticks
Below is a list of gluten-free and lead free lipsticks in all varieties of shades, finishes, and prices!
1. Mineral Fusion Lip Stick
My all time favorite gluten-free makeup brand and I highly recommend their lipstick if you are looking for a classic lipstick that isn’t full of harsh ingredients. It’s formulated with pomegranate, red tea, shea butter and jojoba seed oil that keep your lips soft and moist. Not only it goes on smoothly with great staying power, but the shade range allows you to look natural, or make a bold statement.
2. Ecco Bella Natural Moisturizing Lipstick
This lipstick-lip balm hybrid from Ecco Bella is perfect for those who aren’t a fan of regular lipsticks. The moisturizing texture applies sheerly for those who want a wash of color, but they can be built up to have great pigmentation. No more flaky lips with this FlowerPower Lipstick.
3. Gabriel Cosmetics Lipsticks
A lipstick that nourishes your lips to keep them looking healthy. Gabriel Cosmetics made sure to pack this lipstick with strengthening ingredients like Aloe and Jojoba Seed Oil to maintain luscious lips! The packaging screams timeless beauty and the formula enhances your natural features. You can pair with other Gabriel products for an even better seamless application.
4. Zuzu Luxe Lipstick
Zuzu Luxe Lipsticks are the ultimate classic lipsticks that are updated for the modern world. From funky purples, vivid reds, and polished neutrals there is a shade for everyone. If you are looking for a budge-proof application, Zuzu Luxe will go on smoothly. Apply with a brush for a crisp look or simply swipe on for an incredible color payoff.
5. Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Lipstick
I’ve been in love with this lipstick from Honeybee Gardens since I first got my hands on it. It is so moisturizing and doesn’t wear off quickly like most others. The color look natural and it’s a vegan formula so you don’t have to worry about any nasty ingredients like with conventional lipsticks.
6. Alima Pure Velvet Lipstick – Natural Lipstick with Avocado Oil
For a long-lasting finish, opt for the Alima Pure Velvet Lipstick. The semi-matte formula offers rich color and helps moisturize your lips with Avocado Oil and Squalene. This product is Cruelty-Free and Alima Pure is taking on environmental responsibility by reducing its carbon footprint.
7. ILIA Color Block High Impact Lipstick
ILIA has been revolutionizing the beauty industry by redefining how clean makeup can provide exceptional quality. Made for all-day everyday wear, it’s a great choice if you want a luxurious feel to your makeup without sacrificing quality. This lipstick is formulated without SLS, SLES, and Parabens. Intense color without harmful ingredients. The packaging is also recyclable.
8. Au Naturale Eternity Lipstick
This lipstick from Au Naturale is a vegan, cruelty-free formula that delivers full-spectrum color play and great staying power. Enriched with castor seed oil, jojoba seed wax and all other moisturizing ingredients, this lipstick is a lip therapy even for extra dry lips. With its silky lightweight texture, it glides on effortlessly.
9.Bite Beauty Power Move Creamy Matte Lip Crayon
Bite Beauty’s Lip Crayon covers the bases and works also as a lipstick . Whether you are a multitasker, minimalist, or makeup beginner, you’ll love this product in your makeup bag. The defined crayon will allow for easy application without needing a lip liner. In this Lip Crayon, you will find all natural ingredients like Pomegranate Extract, Orange Peel wax, and Wild African Mango Butter.
Best Gluten Free Lip Gloss
For those who prefer a lip gloss for some shine, from the subtle to the eye-catching, check out the following glosses that are free of gluten.
1. Zuzu Luxe Lip Gloss
Finding that perfect lip combo is what we all dream of, and this gloss from Zuzu Luxe can give us the perfect result. The sheer finish provides exceptional shine, with a tint of color. Wear it alone or as a lip topper with your favorite products. Like most Zuzu Luxe products, these are vegan and cruelty-free.
2.Colourpop Ultra Glossy Lip
Colourpop became a cult classic brand especially among Gen Z. The Ultra Glossy Lip is a fan favorite for its clean formula, unique shade range, and the affordable price point. The packaging has a sleek look and the formula provides a hi-gloss finish. Perfect for those who are beginners or who want to feel luxurious on a budget.
3.ILIA Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil
A trend that needs to continue is formulating makeup products to provide skincare benefits. The Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil by Ilia is formulated with Hyaluronic Acid and Meadowfoam Seed Oil. It’s there to protect your skin barrier while still acting as a makeup product. You don’t have to sacrifice healthy lips for a makeup look anymore.
4.Ecco Bella Natural Lip Gloss
Eco Bella is making lip gloss practical to reapply on-the-go and hassle-free. The Good For You Gloss has a built-in mirror on its packaging making it a versatile product. With 4 powerful shades to choose from you are guaranteed great color payoff and long-lasting coverage. Applying gloss is no longer a hassle.
5.Mineral Fusion Polished Liquid Lip Gloss
Give your lips their daily dose of antioxidants with Mineral Fusion’s Polished Liquid Lip Gloss. At the perfect price point, you get a 100% natural formula that contains White Tea and Vitamin C to help protect against environmental stressors. The squeeze tube packaging has a nostalgic feel and resembles the first glosses we had as kids.
FAQs:
Do you need gluten free lipstick?
If you suffer from celiac disease, or are gluten sensitive/intolerant, then gluten free lipstick is a must because you ingest a lot of it – think of how often you lick or bite your lip. And it only takes a small amount of gluten to trigger an reaction.
As a celiac myself, I had constant problems with my lips breaking out, before I figured out it was the lipsticks that were causing it. After going gluten free, no more issues with my lips!
So if you use gluten-containing lip products but find you continue to have symptoms, consider switching to gluten-free – you’ll find it helps.
Thank you for reading the gluten-free lipstick guide, and I hope you found some great gluten-free brands and products. If you have any favorite gluten-free lipsticks, please share them in the comments as well!
Last Updated on 07/05/2021
MAC Cosmetics needs no introduction. A well known name in the contemporary cosmetics world. Beauty enthusiasts have MAC in their kitty or bucket list! Today, let’s have a look at MAC’s cruelty-free status!
This Canada based makeup brand has now spread its wings all around the globe. MAC’s Ruby Woo is ‘the’ lipstick for all red lip lovers for a couple of decades now. You can’t ‘un-see’ the mesmerizing effects of Studio Fix Powder Compact, Fluid Foundation or Fix+ as well.
However, MAC has been criticized time and again for its shady cruelty policies. Should you buy a MAC product as a cruelty-free supporter or leave it for good? These are the facts to consider.
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Is MAC Cosmetics Cruelty Free? Is it Vegan?
MAC – Past & Present
1984 –Makeup Art Cosmetics Inc is popularly known as MAC Cosmetics. It was founded in 1984 by two photographers turned makeup artists. They’re Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo.
This Toronto based makeup brand wanted to fill up the ridge. This gap existed between long stay and photo-friendly makeup.
Initially, MAC was popular among focused audience of fashion & makeup world. Within a few years, its popularity reached to mass beauty users.
The brand started its journey with lip colors. Later, they ventured into face makeup.
1994 –In 1994, beauty giant Estee Lauder bought major stakes of this brand.
Certified Gluten Free Makeup
1998 – In 1998, there was a demise of one of the founder member. As a result, Estee Lauder became the sole owner of MAC.
Lipstick Gluten Free List
MAC holds its position among top 3 makeup brands in world ranking. MAC has collaborated with several huge artists. For instance, Sia, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, & Elle Goulding.
What MAC Says about their Cruelty Free Outlook?
Here’s something interesting from MAC’s official website. It is under the tag of ‘Working Toward a Cruelty-free World”.
“M·A·C does not test on animals. We do not own any animal testing facilities and we never ask others to test on animals for us. While some governments conduct animal testing to prove safety before they will allow us to sell our products, M·A·C has never tested on animals and we continue to be a leader in the movement to end animal testing globally. To this end, we are proud to partner with IIVS (INSTITUTE FOR IN VITRO SCIENCES) to expand the use and acceptance of non-animal testing methods worldwide.”
This is the same old ambiguous statement. You can find it in every subsidiary of non-cruelty free Estee Lauder conglomerate.
The statement tries to convince you how animal-friendly MAC’s policies are. Sadly, the mention of exception breaks all the illusions MAC was trying to create.
Gluten Free Foundation Brands
Moreover, they do not share clear data about their ingredient testing policy. The above statement does not confirm how the suppliers treat the product ingredients.
PS: In cosmetic industry, animal testing is majorly performed at the ingredients level, not in the complete product level. Here is a detailed Cruelty Free Guide.
Cruelty free timeline
MAC used to be a biggest promoter of cruelty-free in cosmetic industry. They used to promote their products as ‘tested on models not on animals’.
But then the merger of MAC with Estee Lauder occured. (tragic!) As a result, this brought a huge change in their original policies.
Hence, MAC broke all their ethics promises towards their loyal cruelty-free consumers. And guess what?
2005 –MAC got launched in China in 2005.
They even brought changes in their testing policy. All done to entertain the mandatory animal testing practices by Chinese government.
2012 – In 2012, it was disclosed that MAC runs animal testing on their own. This news created lots of buzz among the users and beauty community.
There were urges and protests by various animal welfare organisations. For example, PETA’s youth chapter. However, MAC did not budge. No changes in any of its policies.
Is MAC Cruelty Free?
No. Nope. Nada. Nah. MAC is not a cruelty-free brand.
In fact, MAC’s parent brand is also an animal cruelty brand.
2005 – MAC used to be a cruelty free brand until 2005. In 2005 MAC started selling their products in mainland China.
Currently, they are in compliance to Chinese policies. Accordingly, all imported products have to go through mandatory animal testing step. This is the cosmetic product safety guideline over there.
2012 – MAC chose monetary gain over customer loyalty & animal welfare. Additionally, they started animal testing on their own since 2012.
Till this date, MAC funds the Chinese government to run cruelty test on their products.
Is MAC manufactured in China?
Not known. Majority of MAC’s color products are manufactured in US and Canada. Not adequate information is available to tell if MAC makes products in mainland China or not.
Is MAC currently being sold in China?
Yes. MAC has several standalone stores in China. Also, they sell their products through their own China website & Sephora.
MAC products are widely available both online and offline in mainland China. In fact, China is currently one of the major consumers of MAC.
Is it vegan?
No. MAC products are definitely not vegan.
MAC uses animal derived ingredients like carmine and beeswax to make their world famous makeup range.
Do we recommend MAC?
Not at all.
Sorry folks! We can’t recommend a shady brand like MAC.
MAC is neither cruelty free nor vegan. They aren’t even clean & green. Just like many other non-cruelty free brands MAC tries fool customers. They market their products as ‘never tested’ on animals.
On contrary, they allow and obviously ‘pay’ governing bodies to perform animal testing on their products.
PETA has even included MAC in their ‘brands to avoid’ list for this contrasting duality.
Alternatives to 5 Highly Recommended Products from MAC
Here are some cruelty free dupes of MAC.
- MAC Retro Matte Lipstick Ruby Woo
You saw this one coming. Obviously! This is one of the bestseller worldwide. A beautiful red lipstick with ultra matte finish. This blue toned red color never goes wrong with anyone. Perhaps the reason why so many celebrities swear by it?
The best cruelty free dupe of Ruby Woo is Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in Creeper. Affordable & cruelty free, give me one please! (I am on a lookout for a better dupe though!)
- MAC Pro Longwear Concealer
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer is another star product from MAC. The wide shade range, blendable formula and superb staying power are some USP. Covergirl TrueBlend Concealer is the best cruelty free dupe of this amazing concealer. Find the list of the best cruelty free concealer here.
- MAC Prep+Prime Fix+
Fix+ is MAC’s all in one prep+set product. This watery liquid is originally a fixing spray but it doubles up as primer water. You can even use it as a base for eye shadows and shimmers. NYX Dewy Setting Spray is a good dupe for this.
- MAC Eyeshadow
Rich pigment, color variety & lasting power makes MAC Eye Shadows superior. You can get dupes of the cult favorite shades from this range (Carbon, Amber lights, etc.) in Colourpop cruelty-free eyeshadow collection.
- MAC Soft & Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish
One of the favorite strobe highlighter for many. ELF Baked Blush is an awesome substitute that comes with the same healthy glow and flawless finish.
PS:Before you go, do share any MAC dupes you’re found of in the comments below!
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