16 Affordable Clean Makeup Brands That Won't Break The Bank

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I’ve been there and I get it- switching to clean makeup can be a daunting task.

I was loyal to my Maybelline Gel Eyeliner and my L’Oréal Double Extend Mascara for more than a decade and breaking up was hard to do. They were literally the last two items in my routine to be switched out after trying one too many green brands that just didn’t cut it for me (raccoon eyes, anyone?). 

There are good reasons why you have to pay a premium for cleaner products- we’re talking safer formulas, quality ingredients, less fillers, small batch production etc. However, in the last few years I’ve discovered many clean makeup brands that are not only wallet-friendly (most of the products are under $30!) but perform as well as their conventional counterparts.

In this post I am sharing the brands (with BIPOC- and LGBTQ-owned ones marked with an asterisk) along with my tried-and-true favorites, so pin, share or send this to a friend or family member because clean beauty should be for everyone. Can I get an amen?

Looking for skincare? Check out 20 Budget-Friendly Clean Skincare Brands You Need To Try.

[Credit: Alima Pure]

1. Alima Pure*

A carbon-neutral, certified B-Corp that formulates their products with pure and natural ingredients, Alima Pure is a great place to start, with its MAC-ish chic (and refillable!) packaging and diverse range of shades and colors. Prices range from $14.00 for their lip tints and eyeshadows to $42.00 for their liquid foundations.

My pick: Pressed Foundation with Rosehip Antioxidant Foundation ($34 or $22 for the refill) for buildable coverage and easy application and touch-up on the go

[Credit: Axiology]

2. Axiology*

Axiology strives to be "the most ethical lipstick on the planet", and they come pretty close! Their winning clean, vegan and cruelty-free formula contains just 10-ingredients, and their packaging is handmade from recycled trash by a women’s cooperative in Bali. Prices range from $14 for their balmies to $30 for their lipsticks.

My pick: Lip to Lid Balmies ($14) for the same nourishing formula without any packaging waste- genius! 

[Credit: Clove and Hallow]

3. Clove+Hallow

Clove+Hallow was created by professional makeup artist Sarah Biggers with the motto “Safety, meet Swagger”, with top-notch products that are good for your skin while still being swoon-worthy and fun to play with. Prices range from $15 for their bronzing powders to $36 for their pigment palettes. (Use code NIHAO15 to get 15% off your order!)

My pick: Lip Velvet ($19) for a liquid-to-matte lipstick with a vibrant, budge-proof finish

[Credit: Cupid & Psyche Beauty]

4. Cupid & Psyche Beauty

Cupid & Psyche is a line of gluten-free, paraben-free and eco-friendly lipsticks founded by beauty and fashion photographer Tracy Toler-Phillip, with a shade for every mood and skintone and pigments made from natural minerals. (Use code NIHAO for 10% of your purchase to go towards RAICES!)

My pick: All their lipsticks ($23) offer buildable coverage from a tint to a bold lip 

[Credit: HAN Cosmetics]

5. HAN Cosmetics*

HAN, which stands for Healthy and Natural, is on a mission to elevate product integrity using natural and certified organic ingredients and offer non-toxic makeup at reasonable prices. Prices range from $15 from their eyeshadows and lipglosses to $32 for their CC cream with SPF 30+.

My pick: All-Natural Multistick ($16) for a gorgeous pop of color on your cheeks, lips or eyes

[Credit: Honest Beauty]

6. Honest Beauty*

Helmed by Hollywood superstar Jessica Alba, Honest Beauty is about doing beauty differently. They have a comprehensive line of skincare and makeup that celebrates diversity, backed by years of R&D behind every single product. Prices range from $8.99 for their tinted lip balms to $19.99 for their eyeshadow palette.

My pick: Extreme Length Mascara + Primer ($14.99) for a dramatic boost of length, volume and definition

[Credit: Lilylolo]

7. Lilylolo

The award-winning Lilylolo from London is one of the pioneers of clean beauty movement and has achieved cult status by marrying natural ingredients with the ultimate in mineral-based technology. Prices range from $12 for their mineral eyeshadows to $34 for their eye palettes.

My pick: Smoke & Mirrors Eye Palette ($34) with a versatile range of shimmering and matte shadows that can take you from day to night effortlessly

[Credit: Mineral Fusion]

8. Mineral Fusion

Mineral Fusion is an EWG-verified mineral cosmetics line that is described as professional performance meet healthy standards, with the goal to leave your skin better than when they found it. Prices range from $7.99 for their liquid lip gloss to $32.99 for their Mineral Foundation and Setting Powder.

My pick: Mineral Bronzer ($32.99) for a natural, sun-soaked glow on your skin

[Credit: Plain Jane Beauty]

9. Plain Jane Beauty*

Former educator turned makeup artist Lake Louise saw the lack of darker shades in the market and launched Plain Jane Beauty in 2011 as the first green beauty brand with inclusivity at its core, offering 17 shades from fairest to darkest. Prices range from $8 for a lip butter to $42 for creme foundation.

My pick: Creme Minerals Foundation Stick ($36) for natural-looking skin with medium-to-full coverage and a luminous glow

[Credit: P/Y/T Beauty]

10. P/Y/T Beauty

P/Y/T Beauty is better-for-you beauty without the BS (bad stuff) and sticker-shock, with lasting, high-performance makeup that delivers on its promises. Prices range from $15 for a lip gloss to $34 for a eye palette and mascara set, and they always have promotions running.

My pick: All + Nothing Concealer ($18) with a built-in brush (yes!) that provides all-day coverage for your undereyes and other imperfections

[Credit: Range Beauty]

11. Range Beauty*

Dubbed "clean beauty for the forgotten shades", Range Beauty was founded by fashion industry veteran Alicia Scott to address the lack of options for darker skin tones. It is a makeup line with skincare benefits, and prices range from $10 for a loose eyeshadow to $21 for their foundation.

My pick: True Intentions Hydrating Foundation ($21) that is specifically designed to treat and preent eczema and acne 

[Credit: Root Pretty]

12. Root Pretty

Root Pretty was founded on the belief that what you put on your face should be natural and safe at a price anyone can afford, while promising only the best certified organic & natural ingredients & none of the commonly used fillers. Prices range from $8 for their tinted lip balm to $22 for liquid makeup foundation.

My pick: Organic Aloe Setting Silk ($16) for a smudge-resistant, silk matte finish to your makeup

[Credit: Hope Trope]

13. Silk Naturals

Silk Naturals is a brand founded with integrity –  every ingredient they use is carefully researched – and they have an astounding range of colors and clean "dupes". Prices range from $4.50 for loose eyeshadow to $11.99 for cream foundation.

My pick: Velvet Matte Lipstick ($5.99) for hyper-pigmented, long-wearing shades that can also double as a blush

[Credit: Tower 28]

14. Tower 28 Beauty*

Tower 28 wants to capture the magic of an easy, breezy day at the beach, with high-performance makeup made from skin-loving ingredients (especially for eczema-prone skin). Prices range from $14 for a lip jelly to $28 for their facial spray.

My pick: ShineOn Lip Jelly ($14) for a non-sticky lip gloss with the comfort of a balm

[Credit: W3LL People]

15. W3LL People*

W3LL PEOPLE is founded by a trio of an elite makeup artist, a cosmetic dermatologist and a tree-hugging entrepreneur, all driven by the same desire to provide premium cosmetics without harmful chemicals found in conventional makeup. Prices range from $13.99 for their lip butter to $28.99 for their foundation sticks and tinted moisturizers with SPF.

My pick: Narcissist Foundation Stick ($28.99) for a dewy, crease-free complexion and easy application 

[Credit: Zuzuluxe]

16. Zuzuluxe*

The younger sister of Gabriel Cosmetics, Zuzuluxe is a complete makeup line with bright, bold colors for a younger demographic. Prices range from $16 for their eyeshadows to $31.30 for their liquid foundation.

My pick: Mosaic Illuminator ($29.80) that can be worn alone or over foundation for a subtle lit-from-within glow

Have you tried any clean makeup brands? What are some of your favorites?

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