Is Morphe Cruelty Free: Iconic Products Full of Controversy

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Teryn Greenway

Makeup Assistant at Glamour N Glow

Teryn fell in love with beauty after she began to use it as a coping mechanism. She quickly became obsessed with makeup. Her love for makeup continued to bloom after she started working at Ulta. Now, she works as a makeup assistant for local filming teams!

Latest posts by Teryn Greenway (see all)

• Urban Decay Heavy Metal Review: Is This Eyeliner a Gamechanger? - February 7, 2023
• My Top Holographic Eyeliner for Sensitive Eyes (Get the Dramatic Look Without Worry) - January 20, 2023
• Is Morphe Cruelty Free: Iconic Products Full of Controversy - August 23, 2022

I first discovered Morphe when I was working at Ulta Beauty in 2017. I set up their first display in my store and instantly fell in love with the giant pallets, that iconic setting spray, and the high-end quality with low-end price brushes. I remember spending hours learning rainbow eye techniques for their pallets, which became a staple of my vanity back in the day.

Today, Morphe is still prestige quality for a low-end price and still makes iconic setting sprays and brushes. In addition, they have significantly expanded with a range of makeup and skincare products and collaborations with huge companies like Coca-Cola!

Morphe was first founded in 2008 by siblings Linda and Chris Tawil. The brand started with a few brushes they sold online and at trade shows.

They expanded to their first in-person store in 2013, opening a location in Burbank, CA. The brand is riddled with controversy (I’m looking at you, Jeffree and James) but most recently have been trying to improve their image and focus on clean makeup products. However, this doesn’t mean that the products are cruelty-free, but I will go over this later.

Also, keep in mind with my recommended products that I have dry skin with neutral undertones and live in Southern California, so I have a dry/tropical climate!

Bottom Line Up Front!

There is not a simple yes or no answer to if Morphe is cruelty-free. The company is also super misleading about whether they test on animals. They clarify on their website that they do not test on animals, but their products are made in China, where it is the law to test on animals.

Since they do not sell the products in China, they can get around the animal testing law, allowing their products to be cruelty-free. However, this is a super misleading statement on their part as they have a parent company that does tests on animals and is made in the same factory in China.

Another mislead to their cruelty-free status is that their products are far from PETA certified, as only a handful of products are vegan. The majority of their products contain things such as animal hair, bee wax, and carmine. The worst part is that Morphe claimed their products were 100% vegan without announcing that certain products contain these animal parts as ingredients.

Is Morphe Cruelty Free?

While I understand that they do not test on animals, I have to say that Morphe isn’t cruelty-free purling based on the number of animal parts in their products and their refusal to acknowledge this until the big lawsuit of 2022. The case is horrifying to me because I choose cruelty-free products because I’m highly allergic to many makeup ingredients that use these cheaper ingredients.

Having a brand I trust come out saying their products are not actually vegan makes it hard to trust anything the brand puts out again.

The latest lawsuit is because some ingredients in their pallets are considered dangerous for the eyes by the FDA, which, you know, sucks for an eyeshadow pallet. The pallets have been known to cause irritation, discoloration (they stain), rashes, and painful allergic reactions. Unfortunately, this is just one of the few cases where Morphe has failed to acknowledge that a product does not fit the cruelty-free brand they strive for.

The pallets labeled “artistry palettes” or “pressed pigments” are what you should look out for in your collection as they purposely avoided using the word “eyes” for this very lawsuit. The list of products involved in this lawsuit is insanely long and worth looking up if you, like me, have sensitive skin or believe in cruelty-free makeup for ethical reasons.

With all this being said, Morphe still creates prestigious quality products for the price of drug store makeup. So, while I don’t agree with a lot of Morphe’s morals, I will admit they have some staple products that I still have in my collection to date. In the suggested products below, I highlight non-vegan ingredients and include a vegan alternative!

The Best of Morphe 2

With the launch of Morphe 2 in 2020 came a whole skincare line designed by gen z creators Charli and Dixie D’amelio. The skincare line quickly grew and includes a handful of makeup items.

Eyes

Keep in mind that while this collaboration is advertised as “clean” and “vegan,” the gel eyeliners “Always Online” in shades Fierce Fuchsia and Berry Lush are involved in the 2022 lawsuit for having non-FDA approved ingredients.

Wink & Wow Nourishing Mascara

Is it vegan?

Yes! The Wink & Wow Nourishing Mascara is cruelty free and vegan. It is made with vitamin E and sunflower seed wax.

Price:

$10 for 4mL

Pros

• Great for dry eyes as it nourishes your lashes.
• Long lasting, I wore it for 12 hours of back to back classes and didn’t have to reapply.

Cons

• It only comes in a 4mL size which is half the size of a standard mascara.
• If I’m being picky, the packaging is plain and gets dirty easily.

Face

Hint Hint Skin Tint

I’ve been obsessed with tinted serums lately. They look fabulous mixed with a radiant foundation for a summer glow. The Hint Hint Skin Tint is among the best I’ve tried on my hunt for the perfect face routine.

Is it vegan? 

Yes! The product is also noncomedogenic, meaning it doubles as skincare.

Price

$18 for 30 mL which is a fairly average size for a tinted serum.

Shades and Coverage 

This foundation has a buildable sheer to medium coverage with a radiant finish. There are 20 shades that are all vegan.

Pros

• It’s very hydrating. However, this is only a pro for my fellow dry-skin babes
• It acts as a serum, so it’s a skincare product and foundation in one. 

Cons

• It doesn’t last all day/would need to be reapplied after about 6-8 hours
• Awful for oily skin
• The shade range isn’t great compared to competing products

Cheek

Perk Up Cheek & Lip Color

I love to keep this in my car for quick color to my lips and cheeks on light makeup days. A little goes a long way, and it’s super easy to blend with your fingers, making it great for on-the-go applications!

Is it vegan?

Yes! The entire Morphe 2 line focuses on clean beauty and is entirely vegan and cruelty free.

Price

$12 per 8 g stick.

Shades 

There are 5 fully vegan and cruelty-free shades ranging from nudes, to pinks and reds, to berry. My personal favorite is Rosy Wishes, a dusty rose color.

Pros

• Easy to blend because of its super creamy formula.
• Doubles as a lip tint and a blush.
• I love a dewy finish, so if you do too, this is a perfect blush!

Cons

• They all have a shimmery finish making them unsuitable for matte and more natural looks. 
• Put on before liquid foundation because it will pull specific formulas. Another tip to avoid this is to rub the product on a blush brush! Then dab the brush on your cheeks for a perfect finish! 

Lip

Glassified Lip Oil

As far as lip oils go, this is nothing super special, but its quality for its price can’t be beat. It comes in a variety of shades, but they are super transparent. I love the shade Extra Glaze because it’s just enough peach to make me look alive but still pull off a natural “no makeup” look.

Is it vegan? 

Yes! The entire collection is vegan and excellent for your skin! I highly recommend Morphe 2 if you love a more dewy and natural look.

Price

It’s only EIGHT DOLLARS for an 8.5 mL lip oil! While higher-end lip oils are better, this Morphe 2 one gives them a run for their money. It’s also an excellent alternative if you’re not looking to spend luxury brand money on a lip oil.

Shades

There are six sheer shades that add just a touch of color and a ton of moister to your lips. My favorite is Extra Glaze, which is a peach shade. The shade range also includes: oranges, pinks, and purples!

Pros

• It leaves your lips feeling nourished for the rest of the day. 
• Subtle tint. 
• Super lightweight, I hardly feel it when I wear it. 

Cons

• It can be a bit sticky, so watch out during windy days if you have long hair. 

The Best of Morphe Brushes

Morphe was founded on their brushes and is still the most iconic item on their storefront. However, keep in mind that unless the tool is labeled synthetic(vegan) it is not cruelty-free. Non-vegan tools will be labeled as “natural” meaning they are made with animal hair.

Vacay Mode Brush Collection

Is it vegan? 

The vacay mode collection is a mix of synthetic and natural brushes. However, most brushes are natural, so this is not suitable if you are looking for fully vegan products.

Price

$48 for the 12 brush set and pleather tubby. 

Vegan/Cruelty-Free Brushes Included

•  Angle Liner Brush
• Lip Brush
• Flat Foundation Brush

Non-Vegan Brushes Included 

• Flat Shadow Brush
• Concealer Brush
• Angled Shadow Brush
• Blender Brush
• Detail Shadow Fluff Brush
• Chubby Shadow Brush
• Blender Fluff Brush
• Blush Brush
• Powder Brush

Pros

• Sturdy carry case and enough brushes to achieve a full face
• Great for those who get creative with eyeshadow

Cons

• The majority of the brushes are not vegan
• I feel like there should have been a liquid foundation brush

Face the Beat Brush Collection

Is it vegan? 

This set has a mix of synthetic and natural brushes, so it is not suitable for those looking for vegan products as there are brushes made with animal hair.

Price

$30 for five brushes and a matching travel bag. This means that each tool is valued at $6.

Vegan/Cruelty-Free Brushes Included 

• Pro Flat Buffer Brush
• Powder Fluff Brush
• Precision Powder Brush

Non-Vegan Brushes Included

• Deluxe Angle Brush
• Highlight Definer Brush

Pros

• You can achieve a full face with these five brushes
• The case is perfect for travel

Cons

• The angle brush and the highlight brush are not vegan

Earth to Babe 7-Piece Bamboo Eye Brush Set

Is it vegan? 

Yes! These brushes are 100% vegan. They are also eco-friendly, and FSC certified. The bag is even 100% canvas with a fully cotton lining. This is the ideal brush set for environmentalists, those sensitive to animal products, and those who prefer vegan/animal-friendly products!

Price

$7.99, which is an insanely good deal. However, this set sales out super quickly whenever it’s restocked.

Every Brush Included is Vegan! 

• Crease Blending Brush
• Pro Round Blender Brush
• Small Chisel Detail Brush
• Detail Crease Brush
• Flat Concealer Brush
• Firm Shadow Brush
• Angle Liner/Spoolie Brush

Pros

• Can achieve any eye look from simple to rainbow with these 7 brushes
• They are made from bamboo, so the handle is sturdy/good quality
• It comes with a 100% canvas and cotton bag

Cons

• I don’t like the color of the ferrule because I don’t think it matches the eco friendly, bamboo feel of the set

Morphe X Lisa Frank Blend Bright Brush Set

Is it vegan? 

Ironically this is the only brush set that’s entirely vegan (aside from the eco eye set). This is ironic because the Lisa Frank eyeshadow pallets are involved in the lawsuit for containing non-FDA-approved ingredients. That being said, this is one of my favorite brush sets I own. The bristles are soft, the handle is sturdy (and adorable), and the Forrest the Tiger case is my go-to travel bag.

Price

$32 for 6 brushes and a case!

Every Brush Included is Vegan! 

• Angled Blush Brush
• Tapered Highlighter Brush
• Firm Shadow Brush
• Pointed Deluxe Blender Brush
• Round Blender Brush
• Tapered Mini Blending Brush

Pros

• Adorable packaging
• Lisa Frank is a childhood icon for 2000’s kids

Cons

• Not enough brushes to do a full face
• Fairly expensive compared to Morphe’s other sets

The Best of Morphe Makeup

While many of Morphe’s makeup line is involved in the lawsuit, there are still a few diamonds in the dust!

Please note I will not be including any eye products as most are involved in the lawsuit and are not considered FDA safe.

Face

Continuous Setting Mist

Is it vegan? 

Yes, the main ingredients are water and fruit oil.

Price 

The regular size is $17 and the mini is $11.

Sizes and Variants 

The OG Continuous Setting Mist comes in a regular (2.8 oz) and a mini (1.3oz) size. The original mist is vegan, however it does contain fragrance, which is harsh to sensitive skin.

The Mattifying Continuous Mist is also vegan, but contains a silicone ingredients that many (like me) are allergic to.  The Luminous Setting Spray launched with the mattyifying and is fully vegan and is made with natural ingredients, but doesn’t set your face fas well as the original formula.

The most recent member of the setting mist family is the Coconut Bliss Continuous Setting Mist. While it’s vegan, it’s made with harsh fragrances that are super aggressive on sensitive skin (and noses). It smells very similar to coconut tanning oil and the scent lingers on your face. However, if you prefer scented sprays, it is the same formula as the original, so great for all skin types and will keep your makeup in place all day.

Pros

• Made with natural ingredients such as vitamin E, B5 and fruit extracts
• I love how the mists spray, they cover the entire face in one simple spritz

Cons

• The scented sprays tend to have a very strong scent that lingers on your face
• The fragrance can be irritating to sensitive skin

Cheeks

Blush Balm Soft-Focus Cream Blush

Is it vegan? 

Yes! All of the cream blushes are vegan.

Price

$12 per container.

Pros

• Super buildable, so you don’t have to be scared to put on too much
• Comes in a cute compact with a mirror
• It is made with cupuacu butter, which makes it super moisturizing

Cons

• The color range could be better
• It can lift some foundations, so apply with a wet sponge to avoid this

Lips

Out and Pout Lip Trios – A Non-Vegan Product

Is it vegan? 

No, some of the lipsticks include ingredients like beeswax, honey, and carmine.

The only vegan lip products at Morphe are a part of Morphe 2. They carry a range of oils, tinted balms, and two-in-one lip and cheek creams/sticks. They also have multitaskers that contain an eyeshadow, blush, and lip product in one compact! 

Shades

There are dozens of shades in the trio pack line, but every single one is either nude or red. It’s super disappointing considering how Morphe is known for artistic makeup looks. I hope in the future we get more fashion colors and pinks!

Price

$18 for a matching lip stick, lip gloss, and a lip liner.

Pros

• Tons of color options including some lipsticks that are exclusive to these sets
• Comes with 3 high end level lipsticks for the price of one

Cons

• I prefer matte lips and ever set is meant to be glossy
• While there are tons of colors they are all red or nude, so if you’re a fashion color, pink, or purple lip lover this isn’t the set for you

Morphe’s Best Affiliations

Morphe is known for working with influencers and hot MUAs. These are a few of the staple brands that Morphe carries in their stores!

Please note that I did not include iconic partners such as P. Louise and Suva because they have a large number of products involved in the FDA lawsuit.

Jaclyn Cosmetics

Jaclyn Hill’s brand had a very controversial launch in 2019. The lipsticks came with tiny hairs in the formula and were not safe for use. However, a few months later, she launched a line of highlighters that I fell in love with. Since then, her brand has grown to be one of my favorites.

My Favorite Jaclyn Cosmetics Product: Beaming Light Loose Highlighter

I know that loose highlighter can be scary, especially for makeup beginners, but this is among the best I’ve tried. The shade Bomb is a staple in my collection. I use it nearly every day since it’s buildable in a way that can look natural or glam, depending on how you apply it. For a more glam look, apply with a damp sponge and apply with a tapered highlight brush for an everyday look!

Is it vegan?

Jaclyn’s products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Her products are made in the USA and are carefully produced so that the lipstick catastrophe of 2019 doesn’t happen again.

Despite popular opinion, Jacyln does not use Morphe’s labs to create her own products. Jacyln’s lab is located in Tampa, Florida, and does not have any affiliation with Morphe aside from her products being sold in Morphe stores.

Price

$24 per 4 g container. From experience, a little goes a long way. One container lasts months!

Shades

There are six shades that range from white gold, to bronze, to even amethyst. My favorite is the shade Bomb, which is a golden sand shade. Every shade is 100% vegan and cruelty free.

Pros

• Gorgeous and buildable
• A large variety of shades for a loose highlight

Cons

• I prefer the old packaging, I think the new looks cheaper
• It’s a loose highlight, meaning it can be a bit messy

Jaclyn’s Collaboration with Morphe

Travel with me back to February 2015, when the hottest pallet on the market was the Morphe X Jaclyn Hill Vol 1 pallet. This pallet had me in a chokehold back in the day because the color range allows you to create natural/everyday looks and more artistic experiments. My favorite was mixing the orange and blues to create a sunset look!

About The Collaboration – Drama, Controversy, and Some Really Great Products

Jaclyn spent five years releasing collabs with Morphe, the majority being staples in my collection. Her brushes, while not vegan, are some of the best the company has.

My only real complaint was the original four minis back in 2017 were awful quality compared to the volume 1 and 2 pallets. There were many sketchy things on Morphe’s end where the formula was messed up in these pallets, leaving them super flaky and unpigmented. Jacyln was not responsible for these controversies and repeatedly spoke out about how upset she was by the mistake.

Today, there is only one mini that’s formula has been redesigned to avoid the mistakes of the previous minis. This new one is the Devine Naturals pallet which contrasts the highly colorful and artistic larger pallets for a more natural color range.

Prices 

The large palettes are $32 and contain 35 shades ranging from fashion colors to neutrals. The mini palette, Devine Neutrals, is $18 and contains 12 neutral shades with a mix of mattes, shimmers, and satins. The eye brush set is $29 and the master set is $165. Individual brushes range from $7 to $22 depending on bristle material and usage.

Is it vegan? 

None of the Morphe x Jacyln Hill products are vegan and made at the Morphe lab in China. However, the only Jacyln pallet involved in the 2022 FDA lawsuit is the Volume 2 pallet, meaning that the rest of the collection is safe to stay in your vanity!

Pros

• I swear by the brushes, while there are a handful of non-vegan brushes, they are some of the best quality tools I’ve used
• The vol 1 palette is a MUA staple product

Cons

• The volume 2 palette is still being sold by Morphe even though it has been deemed unsafe for use by the FDA.
• The original minis were the worst eyeshadow I ever tried, but the new mini is great!

Uoma Beauty

Founded by a Nigerian-born woman, Sharon Chuter, Uoma is hands down my favorite Morphe affiliate. She is based in both Los Angeles, California, and London, England. This super inclusive brand prides itself on empowerment and love for humanity.

My Favorite Uoma Beauty Product – Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation

This foundation comes in an insane shade range that includes 51 different options! It is also the first foundation to combine makeup and skincare into one! While it has a matte finish, it is very hydrating and lightweight. I have desert dry skin, and this is one of the very few matte foundations that doesn’t crack on my skin.

Is it vegan?

The entire company is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Their factories are located in London and Los Angeles, where it is illegal to test on animals. The majority of the products are made with skin-happy ingredients!

Shades

There’s a wopping 52 shades ranging from deep (green lid), to rich (orange lid), to tan (yellow lid), to olive (pink lid), to fair (blue lid), to very fair (purple lid) . Each category have a large range of undertones, meaning there is a foundation for nearly everyone. It has a matte finish, but is made with skin care, meaning it’s moisturizing for those, like me, with dry skin!

Pros

• I love the packaging
• A large shade range
• Made with skin care so it leaves your skin feeling moisturized

Cons

• They currently only have the matte foundation and I prefer a dewy finish

Beauty Bakerie

Cashmere Nicole founded Beauty Bakerie after fighting breast cancer in 2011. She became super health conscious and wanted to create high-quality products that were also made with body-safe ingredients. I adore Beauty Bakerie’s inspiring message and cute, baking-themed packaging.

My Favorite Beauty Bakery Product – Lip Whip

If you’re looking for a liquid lip that WILL NOT move for the entire day, this is the one for you. It’s almost too hard to get off and can survive greasy food, sweaty days, and steamy kisses.

Is it vegan?

Yes, the lipsticks are vegan, gluten-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free. Beauty Bakerie strives to make clean makeup products that are prestige quality. However, keep in mind that some of the lippies contain minerals such as titanium dioxide and iron oxide, so if you have metal sensitivities, read the shade ingredients to make sure they’re free of these ingredients!

Price

$20 per lippie.

Shades

There are 22 matte shades that range from fashion colors like black and purple, pinks and reds, to nudes. My favorite shade is Syruptitious, which is a mauve rose, though this is the best black lipstick I’ve ever tried, and I’m a tried and true former emo kid.

There are 4 metallics with a pretty slim shade range. Currently there are only browns and purples in the metallic collection, but I’m hopefully they’ll expand!  There’s 3 créme shades: a mauve, a peach, and a berry. Finally, there are 5 glosses that range from clear to gold!

Pros

• A huge color range that includes nudes, reds, pinks, and fashion colors
• Stays on for the entire day
• Cute packaging and an amazing company

Cons

• It’s really hard to get off, even removers and scrubbing doesn’t work. However, they make a lipstick remover that wipes it right off!
• More popular shades are almost always sold out

Til Next Time!

Morphe may be riddled with controversies and lawsuits, but they are open about the drama and working hard to turn things around and keep a positive reputation. However, keep in mind while shopping the brand that unless it has the vegan logo, it is made with animal products and may not be suitable for sensitive skin.

At the end of the day, all makeup brands are full of controversy. It’s a super dramatic industry (and I love every second of it, haha.) However, the makeup has a prestigious quality for the price of drug store products, so it’s an excellent brand to learn techniques before committing to high-end products.

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