Are you looking for natural mascara? Here are some of the best brands available right now, including the organic and vegan-friendly formulations, and the zero-waste or refillable mascara brands.

A few years ago, finding natural makeup used to be quite a challenge, and the outcomes often fell short of expectations. Thankfully times have changed. The makeup industry has had a shake-up, and now you can find a plethora of natural makeup brands, offering high-performance products at various price points.

As well as makeup staples such as foundation and lipstick, mascara has undergone a green makeover. Plastic-free and zero-waste options, alongside certified organic, refillable, cruelty-free, and vegan varieties are now readily available. But with so many choices, it can be overwhelming knowing where to begin.

To help you out, I’ve rounded up my favourite sustainable mascaras that tick many ethical boxes, without compromising on performance.

The Best Natural Mascara Brands To Know

Here are the brands to know:

Ere Perez

Ere Perez natural mascara (£28 at Cult Beauty) is the only sustainable waterproof mascara I have come across in my searches. There is a bit of compromise here though. I wouldn’t say it’s as waterproof as some conventional brands – perhaps water-resistant might be a better choice of phrasing as I’ve found it can smudge or run in damp conditions – whether that’s rain or if you’re watching a sad movie!

Whilst it isn’t as waterproof as you might need it to be, I think this mascara is still a good choice. Formulated with organic avocado and mamey oils, this mascara not only beautifies lashes with its rich pigments but also nourishes and conditions them. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, making it an excellent option for those with sensitive eyes.

Beyond its performance, Ere Perez mascara boasts a host of ethical credentials. It’s both vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. What’s more, it’s free from harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, mineral oils, and synthetic fragrances, for that clean beauty experience.

Get 15% off almost everything at Cult Beauty when you spend £25 or over by using the code CBAFF15 at the checkout.

Green People Organic Mascara

I’ve been a big fan of Green People for years and years – using many of its sustainable cosmetics and health and beauty products – from moisturiser to sunscreen and toothpaste.

As a fan of the brand, I wasn’t surprised that its mascara didn’t let me down. Available in both brown and black hues, Green People’s certified organic mascara (£23.50) effortlessly volumises, conditions, and elongates lashes, while maintaining a weightless feel throughout the day.

Don’t just take my word for it though – the glowing reviews speak volumes.

With an impressive 98% of its ingredients sourced from nature and sustainably harvested, this mascara not only cares for your eyes but also treads lightly on the planet. Infused with vitamin E, sunflower oil, and organic beeswax, it provides moisture and nourishment with every application.

The one drawback is that this mascara contains beeswax, so isn’t vegan-friendly.

Sign up for Green People’s mailing list and get 20% off your first order.

Ilia Natural Mascara

Green beauty brand Ilia has a few mascaras in their collection, but my favourite is the Limitless Mascara (£28 from Space NK).

With a remarkable 99% of its ingredients sourced from nature, this mascara offers a cruelty-free and flake-free formula that lifts, curls, lengthens, and volumises your lashes. It’s also formulated with organic shea butter and fortifying keratin, which work together to nourish and strengthen your lashes without weighing them down.

Despite its impressive performance, this mascara is gentle enough for sensitive eyes and safe for contact lens wearers. However, the one downside is that this formula contains beeswax, so isn’t vegan-friendly.

Odylique Organic Mascara

Odylique’s organic mascara (£18.55 at Big Green Smile) was the first mascara to be certified organic by the Soil Association’s COSMOS accreditation.

With an impressive 88% organic content, including nourishing ingredients like certified organic aloe vera juice, shea butter, calendula, sea buckthorn fruit, and pure mineral colour, this mascara offers a 100% natural solution that’s gentle on the eyes and conditioning for lashes.

As well as its impressive sustainability credentials, Odylique doesn’t compromise on performance. With its smooth, fast-drying application and long-lasting definition, this mascara ensures your lashes remain flake-free and clump-free throughout the day.

Reassuringly, Odylique doesn’t use synthetic polymers, solvents, or silicones in its formulations. Its mascara does contain beeswax though, so is not vegan-friendly.

RMS Beauty

RMS Beauty’s mascara (from £15 at Space NK) is free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and talc, as well as nano and synthetic fragrances.

Despite its clean formulation, RMS mascara delivers on performance. It not only enhances the appearance of lashes, making them look thicker and longer but also provides nourishment and strength to each hair. Formulated to resist clumping, flaking, and smudging – this mascara is designed to withstand it all. This helps to ensure you won’t end up with dreaded panda eyes by the end of the day.

While many RMS products are packaged in recyclable glass or metal, mascara poses a unique challenge. While glass or metal are impractical for mascara, RMS has instead opted for plastic packaging made from at least 80% recycled materials.

Zao Refillable Mascara

Finally, Zao’s refillable mascara (£21.99 at Ethical Superstore, with refills for £13.99) comes in a stylish bamboo tube that will look great on your dressing table or on your bathroom shelf.

The ingenious refill system allows you to keep the bamboo case for life, with refill cartridges that effortlessly slot into place. I absolutely love Zao’s approach to refills. Here all mascaras, regardless of colour or type, come in a standard size. This allows you to switch between shades or formulas without the need for a new case each time.

While the refill cartridges are made of plastic, Zao’s refill concept still significantly reduces the plastic waste associated with makeup. While it may not be entirely plastic-free or zero-waste, it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

In terms of ingredients, Zao’s mascara ticks all the ethical boxes. It’s vegan-friendly, using carnauba wax instead of beeswax, and cruelty-free. Plus, it’s gluten-free and enriched with aloe vera and shea butter, providing natural moisturising and nourishing properties for your lashes.

More Sustainable Makeup Resources

If you are looking for more makeup inspiration, then try my post on the best zero-waste and plastic-free makeup.

And watching the pennies? Check out my guide to the best affordable eco-friendly beauty brands for more top cosmetic recommendations.

Wendy Graham