Location

Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany

Founded

2008

Price range

€18.50 – €28

Shipping

USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia + 27 more

ZOEVA Cosmetics

Independent brand — verified
About

ZOEVA is a German beauty brand and one of the great modern success stories in makeup artistry tools. Founded in 2008 in Frankfurt by Sara Von Trzcinski, who remains CEO and founder, it began with brushes and grew into a full colour range without ever losing the craftsmanship focus that made its name. The brushes remain the brand's foundation, and the manufacturing detail explains why. Each one passes through a process of more than thirty individual work steps, and the wood used for the handles comes one hundred percent from sustainable forestry. All materials used in brush manufacturing are vegan, and the brand states that no harmful ingredients or metals are used in production. Alongside the tools sit eyeshadow palettes, complexion products and lip colour built to the same artistry-led standard. ZOEVA describes its positioning as affordable luxury, and its philosophy, summarised as Wear the Love, frames makeup as an expression of individuality, strength and above all self-love rather than correction or concealment. The company commits to building a sustainable business uncompromisingly on an ethical, fair and trustworthy basis, and supports DKMS alongside Caritas Frankfurt, which works with women affected by domestic violence or cancer. As a women-owned business founded and still led by Sara Von Trzcinski, it remains unusual among European beauty brands of its scale and international reach. Priced in the mid-range tier, ZOEVA is a strong choice for anyone seeking vegan, clean and sustainably made European beauty tools and colour from a genuinely artistry-driven brand.

Brand Details

Contract manufactured

Multiple (China/Italy/Czech Republic/Germany/South Korea)

Last reviewed
Oct 2026
Independent brand
Verified
S
Sara Von Trzcinski

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Frequently asked questions

Is Zoeva's quality actually good?
Professional makeup artists like Lisa Eldridge and Mary Greenwell openly recommend Zoeva brushes as affordable pro alternatives, though its liquid lipstick range has been criticized for offering just 8 shades.
When and where was Zoeva founded?
Zoeva launched in 2008 from Germany, with Sara Von Trzcinski running the business alone for its first three years before it grew into a global brand.
What makes Zoeva different?
Zoeva brushes are handmade using 30 distinct production steps in a specialized brush-making region of China, with handles finished in six separate layers of oil-based varnish.
Is Zoeva cruelty free and vegan?
Zoeva states it doesn't test on animals, and all brush materials are certified vegan, though its broader cosmetics line isn't fully vegan and holds no formal certification.
What's the bigger story behind Zoeva?
A single Italian YouTuber's 2010 brush review video, viewed over 200,000 times, triggered Zoeva's first major sales surge years before influencer marketing became standard beauty strategy.
Who founded Zoeva?
Sara Von Trzcinski founded Zoeva after failing to find quality, affordable makeup brushes, buying 10 unbranded ones from a manufacturer and selling them from her living room on eBay.

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