In middle school, I was so confident in my beliefs and I was not afraid to hold back from leaping about into a diatribe when the moment called for one (or even if it didn't call for one...). Regardless of what the topic was, I was sure to have some deep seeded emotional connection that was terribly relevant to everyone's lives and it NEEDED TO BE HEARD. Quite popular was the topic of animal treatment, or mistreatment, rather. As an on again/off again vegetarian since the age of 8 (what hasn't changed?), I was sure to have a rant conveniently waiting in my pocket. This won't be a post to remind you that Babe has feelings, I promise. Bacon tastes good, I understand. This will be a post will be dedicated to another animal rights issue, though. It is one that probably involves the eye lashes that are fluttering on the eyes with which you are reading this now. It is about MAKEUP, oh my goodness. It is about makeup and all things related to making you feel like a gussied up lady (or gentleman) and the ability to use compassion and knowledge when making selections that will make you feel gussied up on the inside, too. ;)
I made the switch to Cruelty-Free products in, oh, September or October of this past year and so far, I'm still going strong (and plan to continue going on the same way). It has been a learning curve and a little product testing has been necessary but no longer feel like I'm living without. I make sure to google companies before purchasing and honestly, it is quite nice for my brain to help me pick out products and not just my eyeballs reacting to pretty packaging. The reason I feel the need to post this is because from here on out, this blog (when in reference to beauty and yada yada) will be based on this mindset and view point. I'm not quite as bold and forthright as I was when I was fourteen, but this is an issue that I feel deserves to be recognized.
I am now going to refer to a Facebook post I typed up in November of this past year:
"...I've been talking a lot lately about making the switch to cruelty-free cosmetics, and it seems like the biggest reason most people haven't made the switch is simply not knowing which companies test and which companies do not. Although there are a few brands that are willing to say they will NEVER test their products on animals (e.l.f, Coastal Scents, Tarte), a lot of companies seem to live within a gray area-maybe they do not test, but the companies they get their ingredients from do. Perhaps they do not believe in animal testing but allow their products to be tested simply so they can sell to China (Rimmel London). Perhaps they do not test but the belong to a parent company that does (Burt's Bees/Toms). All of these are factors that confuse the consumer and eventually become the reason people are apathetic to the cause. I can honestly say I was one of them...and on the third issue-the parent company issue-I'm still a little confused about how I should be spending my money. Personally, I feel that directing your money to a cruelty-free brand will show its parent company how valuable going cruelty-free can actually be and will eventually end up doing good...but I digress.
Regardless of where you fall on the issue, I do believe it is something we should all be aware of. Cosmetic testing is so unnecessary and only exists anymore to expand a company's demographic into the Chinese market (that requires testing). You don't have to be a vegetarian/vegan (or even remotely sympathetic their cause) to understand that cosmetic testing is a wasteful venture and is nothing but unnecessary cruelty.
We are all on our own paths and so I cannot ask anyone to make a switch they are not yet comfortable with, especially when it has taken myself so long to do so, but I can ask that you get informed and use your dollar to speak for you. I can honestly say that the past few months have shown me that there isn't a single cosmetic out there that I desire (and boy do I desire all of them) that doesn't have a cruelty-free dupe to replace it. It isn't hard, it just requires a little research, and continuous research as companies continue to wiggle in and out of that gray area..."
Did that sound too ranty? I hope not. Basically what I'm saying in one sentence is:
"I am choosing to use compassion in my beauty selection and I hope you will choose to do so, as well".
"I am choosing to use compassion in my beauty selection and I hope you will choose to do so, as well".
If you are thinking of making the switch (or are perhaps just curious - and that is OKAY!), I will attach a few helpful websites. I'm going to be doing a blog post in the next few days allll about my favorite Cruelty Free products, so look out for that!
http://www.leapingbunny.org/indexcus.php
http://www.gocrueltyfree.org/shopper
http://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/
xo
Currently listening to: Sylvan Esso's "Coffee"
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