Why choose cruelty-free?
You wouldn't think that in 2017 animal testing in cosmetics would still exist, but sadly it does. With so many alternative methods of testing ingredients it is disappointing and shocking to see just how many cosmetic companies still rely on animal testing!
It is estimated that approximately 100'000 to 200'000 animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and rats, suffer or die each year just for cosmetics! These animals are subject to ingredients being dripped into their eyes, rubbed onto shaved skin and even being force fed the ingredients to test for allergic reactions and irritations. The animals receive no pain relief and are usually killed once the testing is complete.
So why is animal testing still so common? There are a few reasons, however the most talked about reason is because countries like China, have made it a legal requirement for companies to be able to import and sell their products in China.
It can be a daunting experience when trying to make the change and go cruelty-free with your cosmetics. But the good news is there are over 600 beauty brands that are cruelty-free! Here are some frequently asked questions about going cruelty-free.
Is cruelty-free & vegan the same thing?
No, cruelty-free means that it has been manufactured or developed with methods that do not involve cruelty to animals, they can still contain animal derived ingredients like dairy or beeswax. Vegan means that the product contains no animal derived ingredients.
How can I tell if a brand is cruelty-free?
This can be a little tricky. There are a few symbols to look out for on the packaging.
But some of the time brands aren't certified so do not display the symbols. There are a lot of blogs that are dedicated to researching and listing cruelty-free brand, but usually a quick google search will be able to determine whether or not the brand is cruelty-free. Alternatively you can contact the brand and ask them directly if their products are cruelty-free.
What about cosmetics manufactured in China?
Although China requires imported cosmetics to be tested on animals, products manufactured in China and then exported do not require animal testing. So it is possible for a product manufactured in China to be cruelty-free.
What to do if I have cosmetics that are from brands that are not cruelty-free?
Makeup costs a lot of money! It would be a waste to just throw everything out if you have decided to make the move to cruelty-free only. We would suggest using up the products and then not repurchasing once it has run out.
What about parent-companies?
Parent companies are companies that control smaller companies by owning voting stock in that company. So a parent company that is not cruelty-free can own part of a smaller company that is cruelty-free. This can cause quite a moral dilemma when choosing cruelty-free, as the parent company is obviously going to profit from the smaller company, which then some people see as money going towards animal testing. For example: Too Faced (cruelty-free) is owned by Estee Lauder (not cruelty-free), Urban Decay (cruelty-free) is owned by Loreal (not cruelty-free). It is up to the individual whether or not they support companies owned by a parent company that isn't cruelty free, however a quick read of the Peta website says:
"It is important to support these cruelty-free companies, because if their parent company sees that kind and compassionate cosmetics are popular, it may lead to a decision to reject animal testing permanently."
The issue of Mink Lashes
In recent years there has been a huge increase in false lashes popularity, especially Mink Lashes. Due to their softness and fluffiness they have really become the most popular style of lash.
Quite a few of the companies that produce these Mink Lashes claim that they are cruelty-free, as the hair from the Mink is obtained by gently brushing them, therefore not harming the animal.
Here is the issue, Mink are an aggressive, solitary wild animal that can roam for days in the wild. To be able to get the hairs from the mink, they are kept on fur farms, where they are put into tiny wire cages, which goes against their natural instincts. Once their winter coat comes in they are killed, so the hair that is being used either comes from the Mink just before or after it is killed.
There are many great alternatives to Mink Lashes, made from synthetic materials, such as our Faux Silk Lashes or Faux Mink Lashes that produce the same look, just without the animal hair.
What about animal hair makeup brushes?
Unfortunately the hair is again sourced from fur farms, so the same issues as the Mink Lashes applies. Makeup brushes usually use a larger array of animal hair, such as horse, goat and squirrel hair. Synthetic brushes have come along way, so can replace most, if not all animal hair brushes these days.
Our stance at Ooh Fabulous!
As animal lovers, we couldn't morally condone stocking brands that choose to test on animals, which is why we are committed to being a cruelty free store. We thoroughly research each brand we stock to make sure they are cruelty-free. If a brand has a parent company that isn't cruelty-free, we will list this information in the brands bio.
We will never stock animal hair brushes or lashes!
You can read more about animal testing here:
http://www.animalsaustralia.org
You can read more about Mink lashes here:
or watch the video:
https://www.facebook.com/official.peta
Cruelty free blogs:
