Why I am Cruelty Free with My Makeup💄🐰

-Beauty and Makeup-

Above: Urban Decay Naked Petite Heat Palette - Urban Decay do not test on animals but sell in China. This blog is going to go into my thoughts as feelings on all levels of Cruelty Free Makeup

So I have been fully Cruelty Free with my makeup for a year and a half now. I made the choice on the run up to Christmas of 2017 when I was watching a lot of make-up and beauty related videos and I was finding myself wondering about how many new make-up products were being produced. Were all of these being tested on animals?

I started doing my research into some of the brands that I had been buying since I was a kid and found that my make-up bag was a pretty cruel zone. Companies like L’oreal, Maybelline and Max factor testing continuously on animals just so that I could have a shimmery eyeshadow? I just couldn’t make it add up. I could no longer justify buying makeup for what I consider my vanity. So I decided to make the change and it happened around the time where I was needing to replace a lot of items so this turnover took action very quickly.

When shopping cruelty free it is important to do your research as often a lot of brands will claim ‘they’ do not test their products on animals but oftentimes this means that they are paying a third party to do the testing for them. I tend to look indepth into the language used - often companies that do not test on animals will say, “The product has not been tested on animals,” as there is no loophole for this way of phrasing, as the product has not been tested on. However a loophole that companies will often try to go through, is concealing or not making it clear if they sell products in China. If the product is sold in China, it has been tested on animals.

Above: Nyx Bare with Me Tinted Skin Veil (Cruelty Free, although Nyx us owned by L'oreal who is not Cruelty Free). The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation (The Body Shop is known for being one of the more prominent Cruelty Free brands but actually they aren't as much they portray it. Again they are owned by L'Oreal who do test on animals and also they sell in duty free's in China which although aren't always tested on, can be subject to random testing).

In China it is essential by law that all cosmetics are put through animal testing, so this means that even if the brand says it does not test the cosmetics that you are purchasing, as a brand they are aware that their products will be tested in China by a second party.

There are differing opinions towards this. I do understand the argument that if it is not tested in the country you purchase from, the product you have bought it free of that. Although some view it as, the product will be tested at some point by someone and they don't want to be associated with that. I also understand that brands, by not selling in China would making a very big financial cut, as the market for makeup in China is huge and companies want to make their money. I have been caught out by this, thinking a brand was cruelty free when in fact it sells in China, only too realise later on. However, I still keep the item and use it up.

Above: Makeup Revolution Liquid Highlighter (Liquid Champagne).

I find that if I am looking for a product, my safest bet is Superdrug own-brand products. MUA, Revolution and B, all of which are owned by Superdrug, who do not sell in China and do not test on Animals. A lot of their products are also vegan if that interests you.

With that comes my thoughts. I personally don’t care who it is doing the testing, I don’t want to buy products that are tested on animals. I can’t justify it in my own mind and I would rather enjoy products that don’t make me feel guilty. That being said it is very difficult as companies often try to hide how Cruelty Free they are because they know people are starting to fight against it. We are all trying our best and where I draw the line morally and where another person does is completely different. I personally am not as strict with my skincare and will be posting a blog post on that really soon. A vegetarian who doesn’t eat meat for ethical reasons and may buy make-up tested on animals. Everyone is doing their bit and when it all adds up we will be looking at a more positive world.

Thanks so much for reading my thoughts and feelings on this. I hope to make a full blog on some of my favourite cruelty free products.

Tell me you thoughts, where do you draw the line with Cruelty Free Makeup? Or have you found brands you love and stick too and they just happen to test on animals? I'd love to hear all opinions and views 🌍