Bunnies Prefer the “No Makeup” Look
Hi. My name is Lauren and I am a makeup addict. I first became exposed to makeup when I was about 5 years old. The makeup obsession began with my mom’s best friend. She was a licensed cosmetologist whose hair, makeup, and nails were always perfect (she also believed in eating chocolate cake for breakfast). She hadn’t had her own daughter yet, so I got to be her living doll. It was awesome. She would do my hair and makeup, as well as paint my nails before she’d return me to my (very annoyed) dad. The day my mom finally allowed me to regularly wear makeup was the best day of my life. I remember buying my very first high end purchase. Naturally, it was from MAC. Russian Red lipstick. My personal, holy grail of a red lipstick. I bought all my lipsticks from MAC when I started really getting into makeup. I thought I was so cool. That was, until I found out that MAC still tests on animals.
Back in the archaic age of the early 1900s, I wouldn’t bat an eye at the fact that animal testing was a regular occurance. It was a completely different time where technology was but a shimmer in someone's eye. I’m not sure if you heard though, it’s the 21st century… And we’re still testing makeup and beauty products on animals. This is just simply a fact that everyone knows but pretends they don’t. I am here to help open your eyes. Here’s the types of things that are done to rabbits, mice, rats, and guinea pigs, just to make sure we can find that perfect shade of red lipstick (FYI, it’s Fenty’s Perfect Universal Red):
Skin and eye irritation tests where chemicals are rubbed onto the shaved skin or dripped into the eyes of restrained rabbits without any pain relief.
Repeated force-feeding studies lasting weeks or months to look for signs of general illness or specific health hazards such as cancer or birth defects.
Widely condemned "lethal dose" tests, in which animals are forced to swallow large amounts of a test chemical to determine the dose that causes death.
At the end of their life of pure torture, the animals are killed by asphyxiation, neck-breaking, or decapitation. Pain relief is never provided.
In the United States, most of the animals that are actually used for cosmetic testing isn’t counted in official statistics and they’re not covered under the Animal Welfare Act. There are no official counts on how many animals die for our vanity. How convenient. It has been estimated that around 100,000 to 200,000 animals die every single year (world-wide), due to cosmetic testing alone.
This. Is. Not. Okay.
In terms of age, the United States is but a mere baby compared to the rest of the world. We, as a country, have no laws that ban animal testing (California, however, has banned it! I love my state). The European Union, India, Israel, New Zealand, and Norway have all banned cosmetic animal testing. When is our turn? China is the only country that requires animal testing to be done on cosmetics (Fun Fact: Even if the brand itself does not do animal testing, if they sell in China, the government can remove their products from the shelf and test them on animals).
Right now, there are over 7,000 ingredients that have been proven to be safe to use in our cosmetics and beauty products. Is 7,000 really not good enough to ensure the shininess of our hair and the smoothness of our skin?
All of this is why, for 2018, one of my New Years’ resolutions was to go cruelty free for my beauty. This year, I didn’t purchase any products from companies who conduct animal testing. I love makeup. I love putting it on. I love buying brand new products. I love face masks and dry shampoo that makes my hair smell like coconuts. I can be incredibly vain. But my vanity should not come at the high cost of murdering animals. I decided that it just wasn’t okay. I refuse to contribute to the animal testing market. Making this change has not cost me any more money (there are PLENTY of drug store brands that love bunnies too). The only thing it has really cost me is the time and research to find out what brands are truly cruelty free. So I’m making it easy for you babes. Here’s a list of brands that I absolutely love:
Laura Mercier - tinted moisturizer, blush, translucent powders
Benefit - Foolproof Brow Powder
Tarte - Mascara and bronzer
Anastasia - Lipsticks and Highlighter
Pacifica - Cleanser, makeup remover, and masks
Thayers - Toner (it’s basically like flossing for your face)
Good Common Sense Naturals (Bay Area made!)
Alba Botanica - Shampoo & Conditioner
Not Your Mothers - Remember how I mentioned dry shampoo that smells like coconuts?
Luckily, since we are in the 21st Century, there’s so many companies that are cruelty free! More and more companies have decided to make the change. Hopefully, someday, we won’t even be talking about this barbaric activity anymore. Luckily, a blog that I frequently refer to, Cruelty Free Kitty, has made comprehensive lists for makeup, skin care, hair, nail polish ,perfume, period related items, and dental care. The research has already been done for you! How easy is that? Additionally, there’s so many natural brands that are popping up so you can buy local. Check out your farmers markets or local boutiques next time you want to change up your beauty routine. You get to save the bunnies and support your local companies all at the same time! Wouldn’t treating yourself be so much better and more rewarding if you treat the animals too?