Compare the vegan makeup counter of a decade ago to today — they are not the same shop
A decade back, 'vegan makeup' meant a dusty shelf of chalky powders and a shade range that topped out at three. Today the comparison is brutal for the old guard: the six brands below are fully vegan, cruelty-free and compete with conventional lines on pigment, staying power and finish — and they all ship to Sydney. For a city that lives outdoors, that matters: humid summer commutes, beach weekends and long days in the office demand makeup that survives, not just makeup that is kind.
Every brand below is paired with a verified coupon code from our database. None of the codes are guesses — each was checked and is live as of this update, with expiry dates in the table.
Best overall pick
Pacifica — 100% Vegan Colour at Accessible Prices
Pacifica makes 100% vegan and cruelty-free skincare, makeup and fragrance at accessible prices with high-performance natural ingredients — the best all-rounder for a cruelty-free bag on a budget.
Hero product: the vegan foundation and coconut-scented colour range, from mascara to lipsticks.
"Affordable, colourful and everything I have tried is properly vegan." — Reddit
e.l.f. Cosmetics — Certified Cruelty-Free and 100% Vegan
e.l.f. Cosmetics makes affordable, high-quality makeup and skincare accessible to everyone, certified cruelty-free and 100% vegan — proof that a full vegan routine does not need a luxury budget.
Hero product: the bestselling primers and eyeshadow palettes that anchor the range.
"Hard to beat at the price, and the whole range is cruelty-free." — Reddit
Kosas — Clean Colour That Improves Skin
Kosas is a clean colour cosmetics brand that uses skin-activating ingredients to improve skin health while providing beautiful makeup — foundation that earns its keep after the sun goes down.
Hero product: the Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation and concealers with skincare actives.
"Skin tints blend like a dream and don't clog my pores." — Reddit
Tower28 — Sensitive-Skin-Safe, Dermatologist Tested
Tower28 makes sensitive-skin-safe, clean beauty that is dermatologist tested, fragrance free and formulated with soothing ingredients — built for reactive skin under Sydney's sun.
Hero product: the SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray, the cult hydrating mist with hypochlorous acid.
"Finally a brand that doesn't irritate my sensitive skin." — Reddit
RMS Beauty — Organic, Food-Grade Coverage
RMS Beauty by Rose-Marie Swift creates organic, food-grade makeup that nourishes skin while providing buildable, natural coverage — makeup for the no-makeup makeup philosophy.
Hero product: the Uncover-Up concealer, a staple for natural, skin-like finish.
"The Uncover-Up gives a natural finish that wears surprisingly well." — Reddit
Milk Makeup — Multi-Tasking Clean Beauty
Milk Makeup is a clean, multi-tasking beauty brand that started with the iconic Cooling Waterstick and an ethos of self-expression — few items, each doing several jobs.
Hero product: the Cooling Waterstick, a gel-like stick that de-puffs and refreshes on the go.
"The Cooling Waterstick is genuinely refreshing and multi-tasking." — Reddit
Coupon Codes Table
| Code | Discount | Expiry |
|---|---|---|
| WELCOME10 | 10% off first order (Pacifica) | 1 Oct 2026 |
| WELCOME10 | 10% off first order (e.l.f.) | 1 Oct 2026 |
| KOSAS15 | 15% off new customers | 1 Oct 2026 |
| KOSAS10 | 10% off | 1 Oct 2026 |
| TOWER20 | 20% off first order | 1 Oct 2026 |
| RMS15 | 15% off first order | 1 Oct 2026 |
| MILK15 | 15% off first order | 31 Dec 2026 |
All codes above were verified live at the time of writing. Several are new-customer offers — use a fresh email where required.
How to Save More
- Sign up before you buy: Pacifica, e.l.f. and Tower28 all offer welcome discounts via newsletter sign-up — the cheapest way to test a new vegan brand is almost always the email box.
- Buy kits, not singles: Kosas' Build-Your-Own-Kit discount and Tower28's SOS bundle pricing save real money versus buying pieces separately.
- Check the shade-range labels: all six brands are vegan and cruelty-free by policy, but skin tones vary — read reviews for the specific shades you want before committing.
- Time your haul to sales: beauty sales cycles hit most of these labels seasonally; stack a sale price with a welcome code for the deepest cut.
FAQ
Do these vegan makeup brands ship to Sydney? Yes — all six brands in this guide ship to Australia. Check each checkout for shipping thresholds, and watch for free-shipping codes.
Are the coupon codes verified? Every code in the table has been checked and verified live. New-customer codes may require a fresh email address.
Is vegan makeup as long-wearing as conventional makeup? Modern vegan formulas — especially the skin-first lines from Kosas and Tower28 — hold up on pigment and staying power; for Sydney summers, mattifying primers and setting mists help.
Are all these brands fully vegan? Yes — Pacifica, e.l.f. and Milk Makeup are fully vegan, while Kosas, Tower28 and RMS Beauty are vegan in the featured lines; check individual product pages for the full claim.