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12 Best Cruelty-Free and Vegan Blushes for Every Budget (And Every Skin Tone)

by Aly Laughlin

May 28, 2020

Blush is one of my favorite things. It makes me look and feel more alive, and it's a great multitasker for eyes and lips too! My 5-minute morning makeup routine involves a touch of pink blush on my cheeks, eyelids and lips, with a little mascara and brow gel.

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"This long-wear, matte blush is infused with lock on primer powder to ensure a full day of perfectly placed blush. [It] grips your cheeks like second skin."

One of my favorite blushes also happens to be the most affordable option on this list. It comes in 7 matte shades, all vegan. My favorite is "Always Cheeky", a brightening peachy pink. I love it because it doesn't fade throughout the day, and it has incredible color payoff so I've barely made a dent. You can find them at elf, Ulta and Target.

Brand elf
Price 6$
Quantity 0.35 oz.
Finish matte
Buy elf
Ingredients

Talc, Dimethicone, Silica, Nylon-12, Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Palmitate, Boron Nitride, PTFE, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate (Ve), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Bambusa Arundinacea (Bamboo) Stem Powder, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, May Contain (+/-): Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850)

2. Milani Baked Blush

"These richly pigmented, highly buildable [baked] blushes feature satin and shimmery shades...for the ultimate pop of cheeky color for any skin tone."

The cult classic Milani Baked Blush in "Luminoso" is actually vegan, along with 10 other stunning shades! Like its name, it has a very luminous finish. This is my go-to blush when my skin is feeling a little dull. It brings instant light to the face; no highlighter needed. Other than Milani, they're sold at Ulta and Target.

Brand Milani
Price 7$
Quantity 0.12 oz
Finish luminous
Buy Milani
Ingredients

Mica, Talc, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Palmitate, Polysorbate 20, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Isohexadecane, Sorbitan Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 80, Hexylene Glycol, Tin Oxide, Nylon-12, Sorbitan Oleate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 7 (CI 15850), Red 6 (CI 15850), Ultramarines (CI 77007),Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985)

3. Flower Blush Bomb Color Drops for Cheeks

"Each drop of this silky, lightweight formula blends seamlessly. Buildable and natural looking for a perfect flush every time."

A great vegan cream blush from the drugstore is the Flower Blush Bomb. They have a lightweight gel formula that blends out beautifully and lasts all day. It comes in 7 vegan shades, and because of their cream formula, they're really easy to mix together for a custom hue. My personal favorite shade is "Pinched", a radiant nude pink. Find em at Flower, Ulta and Walmart.

Brand Flower
Price 10$
Quantity 0.3 oz
Finish dewy
Buy Flower
Ingredients

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Synthetic Wax, Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Behenyl Dimethicone, Isododecane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Cehydroacetate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Disodium Edta, Tropolone, May Contain (+/-): Red 7 Lake, Titanium Dioxide, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Iron Oxides, Red 6 Lake, Dimethiconol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disodium Edta, Tropolone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Magnesium Chloride

4. Colourpop Pressed Powder Blushes

"A rich blush that glides on smoothly and leaves cheeks with a natural and healthy flush. This formula contains silky powders that adhere to the skin, providing long wear and colour that stays true all day."

These blushes are incredibly well-loved for their buildable formula, pigmentation and cute packaging. As of now, all of Colourpop’s many pressed powder blush shades are vegan except for "Why, Hello", “Enchanted Mirror” and “I Need Space”. When in doubt, look for the vegan leaf symbol (pictured below) on the product page before you order. The largest selection is on the Colourpop website, but they also sell some at Ulta.

Brand Colourpop
Price 10$
Quantity 0.21 oz
Finish matte
Buy Colourpop
Ingredients

Talc, Nylon-12, Magnesium Myristate, PTFE, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Octocrylene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Iron Oxides, CI 77492 (CI 77499), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Mica (CI 77019), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850)

5. Pacifica Cheeky Cherry Cheek Stain

"Blur the lines of no-makeup makeup with our versatile liquid cheek stain that is buildable and can be easily applied with your fingers. Infused with skin-loving naturals including sweet cherry, sappan bark extracts and vitamin E."

A new affordable cream blush on the market, the Pacifica Cheeky Cherry Cheek Stains are perfect for a subtle "no-makeup makeup" look. They come in 3 sheer cherry-infused shades that look flattering on a multitude of skin tones. They're available at Pacifica, Ulta and Target.

Brand Pacifica
Price 12$
Quantity 0.5 oz
Finish dewy
Buy Pacifica
Ingredients

C9-12 Alkane**, Dextrin Palmitate, Silica, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Mica, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Tin Oxide, Caesalpinia Sappan Bark Extract, Prunus Avium (Sweet Cherry) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Citronellol*, Geraniol*, Linalool*, Parfum*, May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)
*our scent blend with natural and/or essential oils **vegetable derived

6. Nabla Cosmetics Blossom Blush

"Blossom Blush gives you a natural and healthy look that revives your complexion and recreates the effect of a cheek that is fresh and naturally flushed into different shades."

The Blossom Blushes come in 12 versatile vegan shades. My favorites are "Daisy" and "Nectarine", and I keep them in my huge magnetic palette for everyday use. Nabla's magnetic refill system allows you to choose between putting the pan into a custom pallete or compact. I find these blushes have a high-end velvety texture and a they blend in flawlessly for a natural, second skin effect. Aside from the Nabla website, you can find them at Ulta.

Brand Nabla Cosmetics
Price 12$
Quantity 0.12 oz
Finish matte
Buy Nabla Cosmetics
Ingredients

Talc, Mica, Squalane, Zinc Stearate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Capryloyl Glycine, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Tocopherol, Silica, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower, Tin Oxide, Alumina, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum (Fragrance), May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Red 7 Lake, Red 6 (CI 15850), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140)

6 Luxury Blushes

7. Clove + Hallow Hydratint Blush Serum

"Get a hydrated, healthy flush with this lightweight blush serum infused with meadowfoam oil and hyaluronic acid."

A perfect option for dry skin, the Hydratints give cheeks a hydrating, lightweight flush of subtle color. Its formulated with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid and meadowfoam oil to hydrate and plump the skin. In addition to the Clove + Hallow website, you can find it at Petit Vour, The Detox Market and Amazon.

Brand Clove + Hallow
Price 20$
Quantity 0.5 oz
Finish dewy
Buy Clove + Hallow
Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Coconut Alkanes, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Silica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, PVP, Gluconolactone, Stearic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Iron Oxide CI 77491, Iron Oxide CI 77499, Manganese Violet CI 77742, Iron Oxide CI 77492

8. Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek

"Two-in-one stick doubles as a sheer blush and hydrating lip tint. Color payoff builds as you swipe."

The Milk Lip + Cheek is a two-in-one hydrating cream blush stick with mango butter, peach nectar and avocado oil. It comes in 5 sheer vegan shades. My favorite is "Werk", a dusty rose. I absolutely love the stick format because it's really easy to use for a quick makeup look. Plus, you get a huge amount of product which is enough to last a lifetime. They also come in a mini size perfect for travel. Lip + Cheek is available at Milk Makeup, Sephora and Amazon.

Brand Milk Makeup
Price 28$
Quantity 1 oz
Finish dewy
Buy Milk Makeup
Ingredients

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Cire de Candelilla, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Silica, Fragrance (Parfum), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Wax, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isopropyl Myristate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil/Huile Végétale Hydrogénée, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Palmitic Acid, Sorbitan Tristearate, Mica, Limonene, Linalool, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850)

9. Ere Perez Beetroot Lip & Cheek Tint

"Long-lasting tint for cheeks and lips. Water-based formula featuring beetroot extracts to nourish and hydrate skin. Rich in antioxidants, this healthy tint acts as a natural stain and lasts all day."

If you're looking for a fun clean option, the Ere Perez Lip & Cheek Tints deliver a vibrant pop of color derived from beets! While I can't verify whether the beets are sourced from Schrute Farms, I can verify that they produce incredibly vivid shades of pink and red, perfect for a natural stain. Other star ingredients include rosehip oil and blue agave. You can find them at Ere Perez, The Detox Market and Amazon.

Brand Ere Perez
Price 28$
Quantity 0.12 oz
Finish dewy
Buy Ere Perez
Ingredients

Water, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Extract, Beta Vulgaris (Beetroot) Extract, Glycerin, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Methylcellulose, Agave Tequilana (Blue Agave) Nectar, Potassium Sorbate, May Contain (+/-): Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, CI77891, CI45410

10. Kosas Color & Light: Crème Cream Blush & Highlighter Duo

"An ultra-blendable cream blush and highlighter palette in versatile duos of balancing, brightening, foolproof, clean, and skin-conditioning formulas—each duo is available in two levels of intensity for color that complements every mood and every skin tone."

Kosas makes beautiful clean blush and highlighter duos made with apricot, rosehip and jojoba oils. They come in 8 different coordinated colorways, all vegan. Kosas also makes a powder version if cream blush isn't your thing. The duos are available on the Kosas and Sephora websites.

Brand Kosas
Price 34$
Quantity 0.32 oz
Finish dewy
Buy Kosas
Ingredients

Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Micocrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina), C10-18 Triglycerides, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Commiphora Myrrha Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethyhexylglycerin, Silica, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360)

11. Cover FX Monochromatic Blush Duo

"Consciously formulated without talc for a weightless texture and seamless application, these richly pigmented duos deliver an airy, breathable veil of color. Use the matte and shimmer shades individually or layer them together to customize your finish."

This is the perfect option when you can't decide between matte and luminous blush. The pigmented duos give you the flexibility to create a variety of looks with a multidimensional finish. They come in 6 striking shade combinations, all formulated without parabens, gluten, mineral oil, fragrance, talc, sulfates and phthalates. In addition to Cover FX, they're available at Sephora and Ulta.

Brand Cover FX
Price 38$
Quantity 0.51 oz
Finish matte and luminous
Buy Cover FX
Ingredients

Matte Blush: Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Myristyl Trisiloxane, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/dicaprate, Mica, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 6 (CI 15850), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360), Ultramarines (CI 77007) Shimmer Blush: Mica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Squalane, Glycerin, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silica, Dicalcium Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

12. 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush

"Gorgeous shades of fruit pigmented blush give cheeks a flush of healthy, natural color. Our antioxidant-rich formula softens skin while you wear it, with anti-aging rosehip oil and nourishing cocoa and avocado butters."

These luxurious clean blushes get their color from natural pigments like cherry, pomegranate, peach, plum, cranberry, and strawberry, and are formulated rosehip oil, cocoa and avocado butters. The finely pressed rice powder in the formula makes them feel extra smooth to the touch. The 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush is available in 12 vegan shades at 100% Pure and Amazon.

Brand 100% Pure
Price 38$
Quantity 0.32 oz
Finish luminous
Buy 100% Pure
Ingredients

Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado Butter), Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Pigmented Extracts of Carica Papaya Fruit (Papaya), Prunus Armeniaca Fruit (Apricot), Daucus Carota Sativa Root (Carrot), Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit/ Leaf/Stem (Tomato), Rubus Idaeus Fruit (Raspberry), Fragaria Vesca Fruit (Strawberry), Prunus Persia Fruit (Peach) and Prunus Serotina Fruit (Cherry), Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit (Goji Berry) Extract, Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Mica (natural shimmery mineral)

More Blush

Another great way to expand your options for obtaining the perfect rosy flush is to use your bullet lipsticks as blush. Lipstick can be applied to cheeks with your fingers or with a stippling brush. I prefer using my fingers because it helps warm up the lipstick to blend it seamlessly into the skin, but I also love the EcoTools "Sheer Finish Blush Brush" ($8) for a more airbrushed effect.

As an added bonus, it can create a lovely monochromatic look if you use the same lipstick you're wearing on your lips. For a more natural look, stick to shades without shimmer. A few of my favorite vegan lipsticks for this technique are the Flower Petal Pout Lip Color in "Berry-More"($8), Lisa Eldridge Luxuriously Lucent Lip Colour in "Love of My Life" ($28) and 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Pomegranate Oil Lipstick in "Foxglove" ($30), but any bullet lipstick will work!

Like I said in the beginning, blush is one of my favorite things. So naturally, I'd love to hear about your favorite vegan and cruelty-free blushes in the comments!

Other Vegan Guides

If you're looking for more vegan guides, start here:

This Complete List of Vegan Makeup Brushes Will Help You Go Fur-Free
15 Must-Have Vegan Handbags That Make Leather Obsolete
The Complete List of Vegan Shoes From 100% Vegan Brands

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