6 Red-Hot Vegan Lipsticks To Drive Your Valentine Crazy

There was a time when most red makeup was derived from animal unfriendly carmine (made of crushed insects), but now there are plenty of compassionate options available. This is great news for vegans who want to wear some pizzazz on February 14, as Valentine’s Day presents the perfect opportunity to try some of the fun and fabulous cruelty-free red lipsticks on the market. Whether you’re a red lipstick devotee or are a bit red-curious, red lipstick makes a bold statement and demands attention, which is why we’re highlighting six brands that’ll help you paint your lips with this flashy, flirty, fun color.

1 Au Naturale

Au Naturale produces makeup for lips (and other parts of your face) that are vegan, organic, and paraben-free. The Eternity Lipstick Sheer is creamy, buildable, and offers one red shade: the sexy and sophisticated Icy Pop. For a rich earthy red, try the Su/Stain Matte Lip Stain in Bangkok, while the High Lustre Lip Gloss in sexy Poppy is sure to impress your Valentine.
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2 e.l.f. Comsetics

If you’re looking for a quick fix and are stocking up on your reds at the local drugstore, e.l.f. Cosmetics presents the perfect option, as the brand is available at many chain stores including CVS, Target, and Walmart, as well as online. e.l.f.’s cherry red Electric Mood x Pitizion Sheer Stick goes on easy and is buildable so you can achieve the perfect look. Other hot vegan options from e.l.f. include the strong-toned Liquid Matte Lipstick in Red Vixen and satiny classic Srsly Satin in Pepper or Persimmon. If you opt to go a little lighter, e.l.f.’s Tinted Lip Oil in Shimmer Red Kiss is perfect for some polish without the weight of a heavier lipstick.
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3 KVD Vegan Beauty

Easily available at Sephora stores and online, this all-vegan brand offers a number of luscious vegan red options. For an intense, bright, attention-grabber that goes on easily and stays on, try the Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Outlaw. Other gorgeous red shades include the bright A-Go-Go and the deep, dark Plath. If you’re more of a cream lipstick gal, try the Epic Kiss Nourishing Vegan Butter Lipstick in Role Breaker, a satin, cool-toned red.
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4 Tarte

Though not fully vegan, Tarte has a long history of offering vegan lipstick options. The Color Splash lipstick in Cha-cha bathes lips in a rich and inviting red that is perfect for Valentine’s Day dates. For something a little less dramatic, try the H2O Balm Lip Paint in Escape, which offers a sheer hint of red. For a gorgeous rich color, try Sugar Coat Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Mauve, a deeper shade of berry red. You’ll have full color coverage and the fun of a shiny gloss on top.
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5 Hourglass

Hourglass is another vegan-friendly brand with some delightful animal-free red lip options. Known for its luscious and high-quality products, Hourglass offers a gorgeous, classic creamy lipstick with the Confession Lipstick in Red 0. Made with a specially formulated vegan replacement for carmine, the applicator on this lipstick is adorned with a decorative beetle to symbolize the company’s commitment to ending the exploitation of animals. 
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6 Pacifica

If you’re still missing that perfect Valentine’s Day red lipstick to finalize your face and are operating on a tight budget, head to Target.com to pick up the Plushious Mineral Lipstick in deep red Velvet Kiss. This moisturizing, strong-colored lipstick comes at an affordable $10 so you have a little extra to splurge on the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. 
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Maya Gottfried is the author of Vegan Love: Dating and Partnering for the Cruelty-Free Gal and Our Farm: By the Animals of Farm Sanctuary.

For more vegan beauty, read:The 7 Best Vegan and Cruelty-Free Beauty Subscription Boxes
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