Monday, 21 September 2015

Going Cruelty Free

I've always been aware of 'cruelty free' products & I've always hated the thought of animal testing for vanity reasons but over the last few months it's really stuck in my head.
So... Since around April time I've been actively looking into cruelty free brands and to be honest with you, I'm shocked at how many make up brands still test on animals! Especially with the alternatives so widely available now.

I always thought going cruelty free would be way too much hassle and super difficult, but I've found it super easy and I thought I'd give some tips on how best to go about it!

1. Find reliable websites to check cruelty free status
The thing that's probably been the most help while I've been trying to switch to cruelty free is the internet. So many sites exist nowadays (official and non official) that list all cruelty free brands & also tell you the status of your favourite companies.
One of my favourite sites to use is Leaping Bunny: which allows you to look at not only make-up, but deodorant, hair care and household items like Candles.
I also love PETA's cruelty free list:
I know PETA have been contested on their animal welfare and standards as a charity but this list is incredible and I wouldn't use them normally due to things I've seen but this search tool is very handy and quick.
Another way I've learnt about new brands is through blogging sites, Cruelty Free Kitty and Wife Life are two women dedicated to finding the best cruelty free make-up available.

2. Cruelty free doesn't mean expensive!
I don't know why but there often seems to be a myth that cruelty free products are going to cost the earth and at one point I imagine they did. However, now the technology is so advanced there are more and more affordable cruelty free brands on the market. Boots natural range, Soap and Glory, Lush Cosmetics and NYX are just a few examples.

3. Parent companies can test, but smaller companies might not
This one is a bit more of a personal preference but for me, if I discover a parent company tests on animals it doesn't matter if the smaller ones don't. Parent companies are larger companies that often buy or own smaller brands to support them. For example, The Body Shop claim not to test on animals but I will not buy their products as they are owned by parent company L'Oreal who are well known to test on animals. This means that a lot of TBS profits go directly to L'Oreal.

4. China
Again, this is another personal opinion tip. Due to Chinese laws and standards, products imported must be tested before they can be sold on the market. Unfortunately animal testing is still widely used. So for a company to not test on animals here but do in China, still affects my view on the company

5. Brands can change their stance
Brands and companies are always evolving, which means that they can change their stance on animal testing, for good and bad. MAC for example, used to be cruelty free but are now listed as testing on animals. The same can happen the other way round so it's sometimes very difficult to keep up.

There are a few pointers on how to get started on becoming cruelty free. I find it difficult sometimes & am still going through old products but from now on I will not be purchasing any products tested on animals.

Let me know your favourite cruelty free brands!
See you soon,
Lucy x