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Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Cruelty Free Cosmetics VS Vegan Cosmetics



CRUELTY FREE -

For a product to be truly cruelty free, there should be no testing on animals at any time during the process of creation. It is important to understand that many products manufactured by companies do not test their finished products on animals and therefore justify themselves as being a cruelty free company. Some companies go as far as to label their products as, "NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS", when in fact the ingredients used to make those products were tested on animals by a third party. This does not make for a true cruelty free product.

One of the best ways to know if a product is cruelty free is to look for the Leaping Bunny logo. The Leaping Bunny standard is clear for both cosmetic and household products. It states:

"The Standard is short for the Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals, a voluntary pledge that cosmetic, personal care, and/or household product companies make to clear animal testing from all stages of product development. The company's ingredient suppliers make the same pledge and the result is a product guaranteed to be 100 percent free of new animal testing. All Leaping Bunny companies must be open to independent audits, and commitments are renewed on an annual basis." 

Please note that a company may have undergone the process of becoming Leaping Bunny certified without sporting the logo on their products. You can view a complete list of companies who are Leaping Bunny certified in the, Compassionate Shopping Guide.

Can a company be cruelty free without being Leaping Bunny certified? Absolutely. However, Leaping Bunny does not guarantee a company is truly cruelty free without certification.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) offers their list of companies and brands that are cruelty free at, Caring Consumer Guide.

* It is important to note that although a brand may be Leaping Bunny or PETA certified, some of these certified brands are owned by parent companies that test on animals. (Example: Urban Decay is PETA approved and has the logo on it's finished products. Although Urban Decay does not test on on animals, is owned by parent company L'Oreal which does tests on animals.) 

 VEGAN- 

Vegan cosmetics are free of all animal ingredients or animal derived ingredients.

Weather an ingredient was derived from an animals is not always clear. Many companies remove the word, "animal" from their ingredient label in order to avoid putting off consumers and to increase profit margins. Animal ingredients are used not because they are better than vegetable-drived or synthetic ingredients but rather because they are generally cheaper. Today's slaughterhouses must dispose of the byproducts of the slaughter of billions of animals every yearend have found an easy and profitable solution in selling them to food and cosmetic manufacturers. -PETA

For a detailed list of animal ingredients to avoid and their alternatives, please see PETA's, Animal Ingredient List.  PETA's Caring Consumer Guide notes which products are vegan and cruelty free.

Vegan products may or may not be tested on animals so again it is best to refer to the guides in order to help make the best choice.


LINKS:
LeapingBunny.org
CaringConsumerGuide
NautreWatch.org_ConsumersGuide

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

LIST OF 100% VEGAN COMESTIC BRANDS




  • a.dorn ~ 100% vegan!
  • A Girl’s Gotta Spa ~ 100% vegan!
  • ABBA Pure Performance Hair Care ~ 100% vegan! 
  • Ahisma Naturals ~ 100% vegan!
  • AILA Cosmetics ~ 100% vegan!
  • Arbonne ~ 100% vegan!
  • Aromi ~ 100% vegan!
  • Au Naturale ~ 100% vegan!
  • Beautisol ~ 100% vegan!
  • Beauty Blender ~ 100% vegan!
  • Beauty Without Cruelty ~ 100% vegan!
  • Bio Follicle ~ 100% vegan!
  • Biokleen ~ 100% vegan!
  • Box Naturals ~ 100% vegan!
  • Bronze Buffer ~ 100% vegan!
  • Bye Bye Parabens ~ 100% vegan!
  • Cocoon Apothecary ~ 100% vegan!
  • ColorProof ~ 100% vegan!
  • Color Club ~ 100% vegan!
  • Concrete Minerals ~ 100% vegan!
  • CoverFX ~ 100% vegan!
  • Cozette ~ 100% vegan!
  • Crazy Rumors ~ 100% vegan!
  • Crystal Body Deodorant ~ 100% vegan!
  • Dahliana Naturals ~ 100% vegan!
  • Derma e ~ 100% vegan!
  • DermOrganic ~ 100% vegan!
  • DeVita ~ 100% vegan!
  • Dose of Colors ~ 100% vegan!
  • Earthly Body ~ 100% vegan!
  • Eco Tools ~ 100% vegan!
  • Elysian Nail Lacquer ~ 100% vegan!
  • Ella + Mila ~ 100% vegan!
  • Ellovi ~ 100% vegan!
  • Emani ~ 100% vegan!
  • Everyday Minerals ~ 100% vegan!
  • EVOLVh ~ 100% vegan!
  • Flo + Theo ~ 100% vegan!
  • Forager Botanicals ~ 100% vegan!
  • Furless Makeup Brushes ~ 100% vegan!
  • Geek ~ 100% vegan!
  • Georgie Beauty ~ 100% vegan!
  • Glam Natural ~ 100% vegan!
  • Green Tidings ~ 100% vegan!
  • Harvey Prince ~ 100% vegan!
  • Hempz ~ 100% vegan!
  • HeartCoeur ~ 100% vegan!
  • Hugo Naturals ~ 100% vegan!
  • Hurraw! ~ 100% vegan!
  • Johnny Concert Glamour ~ 100% vegan!
  • JustNatural ~ 100% vegan!
  • Kaeng Raeng ~ 100% vegan!
  • Kelley Quan ~ 100% vegan!
  • Kester Black ~ 100% vegan!
  • Kimono ~ 100% vegan!
  • Kosia ~ 100% vegan!
  • La Fresh Eco Beauty ~ 100% vegan!
  • Laughing Devil Designs ~ 100% vegan!
  • Light Mountain Natural Hair Color ~ 100% vegan!
  • Lime Crime ~ 100% vegan!
  • Lina Hanson ~ 100% vegan!
  • Lip Glosserie ~ 100% vegan!
  • LVX ~ 100% vegan!
  • Mad Hippie ~ 100% vegan!
  • Mei Yin Naturopathics ~ 100% vegan!
  • Meow Meow Tweet ~ 100% vegan!
  • Metamour Skin Care ~ 100% vegan!
  • Method ~ 100% vegan!
  • Modern Minerals ~ 100% vegan!
  • Mount Purious Raw Skincare ~ 100% vegan!
  • Mr. Bean Body Care ~ 100% vegan!
  • MUN ~ 100% vegan!
  • My Konjac Sponge ~ 100% vegan!
  • Nature’s Gate ~ 100% vegan!
  • NCLA ~ 100% vegan!
  • North Coast Organics ~ 100% vegan!
  • Not A Sponge ~ 100% vegan!
  • Nouveau/Organica ~ 100% vegan!
  • Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) ~ 100% vegan!
  • O.R.G. Skincare ~ 100% vegan!
  • Own ~ 100% vegan!
  • Pacifica ~ 100% vegan!
  • Pelle Beauty ~ 100% vegan!
  • piCture pOlish ~ 100% vegan!
  • Piggy Paint ~ 100% vegan!
  • Preserve ~ 100% vegan!
  • Priti NYC ~ 100% vegan!
  • Purbliss Candle Co. ~ 100% vegan!
  • Raven’s Creek Soap Co. ~ 100% vegan!
  • Red Apple Lipstick ~ 100% vegan!
  • Relogy ~ 100% vegan!
  • Replere ~ 100% vegan!
  • Rock Your Hair ~ 100% vegan!
  • Root Science ~ 100% vegan!
  • Sappo Hill Soapworks ~ 100% vegan!
  • Schmidt’s Deodorant ~ 100% vegan!
  • Scotch Naturals ~ 100% vegan!
  • Sevin Nyne ~ 100% vegan!
  • SkinTea Ochaya Organics by Sayuri Marie ~ 100% vegan!
  • ShiKai ~ 100% vegan!
  • Sir Richards ~ 100% vegan!
  • Soultice Spa ~ 100% vegan!
  • SpaRitual ~ 100% vegan!
  • Sugar & Oats ~ 100% vegan!
  • Swagger Cosmetics ~ 100% vegan!
  • The All Natural Face ~ 100% vegan!
  • The Fanciful Fox ~ 100% vegan!
  • Tiki Bar Soap ~ 100% vegan!
  • Trust Fund Beauty ~ 100% vegan!

Thursday, February 19, 2015

TRUTH BEHIND EXOTIC SKIN FASHION


"Pythons skinned alive and left to die in agony" -Daily Mail, 2015. This is the ever familiar truth behind the fashion industries obsession for animal skins.

It is estimated that 440,000 pythons are slaughtered in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Veitman each year to be made into handbags and shoes. In addition there are other breeds of snake, reptiles and crocodiles slaughtered by the millions annually for the exotic skin trade.

Snakes are hunted and taken from their homes in the jungles. They are usually bolted to a tree where they are cut open from one end to the other and skinned alive. Because of the snakes low metabolism, many remain alive for hours and even days before dying a slow agonizing death. Some snakes receive a blow to the head. A pipe is then logged down their throat and they are pumped full of water as their bodies expand. Throats are tied up so that water cannot escape and they are left this way for several minutes. Their heads are then impaled on a meat hook and skin forcefully ripped from their body.

                                                            Snakes often skinned alive

Lizards are decapitated or have their throats slowly cut and struggle to breathe while they remain alive. Crocodiles and alligators are kept in filthy over crowded conditions and are bludgeoned to death or otherwise shot.  Some are killed by using a chisel or mallet to sever the animals spinal cords which causes paralysis to the body. Many are skinned alive.

From designer Calvin Klein's aligator jackets to stars Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Kim Kardashian, famous for wearing skins and fur, how is it that we as a people support and admire such a people as this?

Please choose to not purchase animals skins. To otherwise do so, one is supporting a cold blooded and cruel industry. You can encourage others to stop wearing skins by sharing the video link below narrated by actor and animal activist Joaquin Phoenix.





LINKS:

SHOCKING_TRUTH
PETA_EXOTIC_SKINS
JOAQUIN_PHOENIX_VIDEO
DAILY_MAIL
FOR_CHANGE_PETITION

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Looking for a great salon shampoo and conditioner that's not tested on animals? How about Kenra!

Shampoo $23 - 33.8 oz
Conditioner $31 - 33.8 oz

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT: 

Kenra Professional Moisturizing Shampoo replenishes moisture to dry damaged hair. Formulated with extra emollients and hydrolyzed wheat protein. 

Kenra Professional Color Maintenance Conditioner revitalizes colored and chemically treated hair to a softer, smoother, shinier conditioner. Silk proteins repair and strengthen while emollients detangle chemically treated hair.

REVIEW

I realize I should have probably purchased the Color Maintenance shampoo to go along with the Color Maintenance Conditioner, but regardless this is an amazing moisturizing salon shampoo that has replenished softness to my hair.  It lathers well, cleans thoroughly and has a nice soft scent.  

The conditioner detangles leaving hair feeling smooth and healthy. I love the added volume I get once hair is blown dry. The large bottles are worth getting because they last such a long time. 

I made my purchase at Ulta. If you're looking for an excellent salon brand of shampoo and conditioner, Kenra is an excellent option. Kenra is also featured on Peta's, "Don't Test List" which means that both ingredients and finished product are cruelty free!

LINKS:


Kenra_products

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Derma/e, Hydrating Facial Wipes, (Cruelty Free) Review

Price: $7.99

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT: These pre-moistened, ultra soft facial wipes deliver a surge of natural hydration while lifting away makeup, oil and impurities. Contains Hyaluronic acid, grape seed extract, maqui berry. Manufactured in solar powered facility. 

REVIEW: I've been searching for cruelty free makeup remover options and discovered Derma/e Hydrating Facial Wipes which are a convenient grab at local stores such as Ulta. The wipes work effectively to remove makeup and my skin looks healthier after almost a months use. The main ingredient is hyaluronic acid which helps to moisturize, combat aging and heal skin. The cons are that it comes in a package with 25 wipes rather than a 30 day supply. Packaging could be improved as the seal does not hold up well.

Overall, I'm happy with this purchase and would buy it again. There is also the liquid base makeup remover for those who prefer liquid remover over wipes. Please see: Evenly Radiant Makeup Remover with Chamomile and Cucumber.



                                                                 (Back of package)

Links:
Youtube_Derma/e_Wipes
Derma/e

Friday, February 6, 2015

CRUEL ANGORA WOOL TRADE



This is what we call, "Sick Fashion". 

Being a huge lover of bunnies, it is with heavy burden that I touch on such a topic. However, with no regard to myself in an attempt to forget such things for my own well being and peace of mind, it is far more important to help inform people in effort to save innocent lives.

Over the past couple years, there has been heated outrage as people have become aware of the angora wool trade via undercover video footage shot by Peta Asia (see video link below). Thankfully, due to public furry, some stores such as the GAP have banned use of angora material in their production of clothing. It is when people speak up, boycott products and sign petitions that such progress is made. One should never underestimate the power they have to make a significant difference.

THE ANGORA WOOL TRADE:

90% of angora wool comes from China where there are no laws or penalties to protect animals. Smaller quantities are produced in Europe, Chile and the United Staes.


Undercover investigators have filmed workers violently ripping the fur from rabbits who's front and back legs are tightly tethered with rope in order to aggressively stretch out the body's skin during this cruel procedure. Rabbits scream at the top of their lungs struggling desperately to escape and many appear to go into shock.

Of the methods to remove rabbit wool, one involves plucking or "scalping" by hand. Workers aggressively yank the wool out from the skin. It is a very brutal method of which rabbits further inflict wounds on themselves in a desperate attempt to break free. The plucking technique results in better quality of wool/fur and more money.

Other ways of removing wool include shearing, or the use of scissors, all of which are a traumatic and painful experience. Bodies are left cut and bloodied.

Living out their days confined to small and filthy cages living in their own waste, these rabbits will be stripped of their fur every three months. In two to five years the surviving victims are hung upside down to have their throats slit and lifeless bodies sold.

It is thought that there are 50 million rabbits living in angora farms in China, producing over 4,000 tones of fur each year.

When people wear angora, there is no doubt they are supporting animal abuse and the slow painful agony of rabbits. Please do not purchase angora materials or products commonly found in fashion and home decor.




LINKS:

DAILY_MAIL
ANIMALS_ARE_NOT_OURS_TO_WEAR
VIDEO_FOOTAGE_PETA_ASIA
FACEBOOK_AGAINST_ANGORA_CRUELTY
HOW_ANGORA_FUR_IS_REMOVED
THEGUARDIAN






Thursday, February 5, 2015

SILK CRUELTY


As many of you may know, silk comes from an insect called the Silkworm.  In actual fact, it is not a worm at all but rather a caterpillar. Likewise, what we refer to as, "silk" is in truth caterpillar spit produced from their salivary glands which solidifies once in contact with oxygen. 
The silkworm weaves a cocoon of silk, or more correctly spit, in order to protect itself during the process known as, "Pupa". This is the period where it develops into a moth. However, most silkworms do not make it out of their cocoon alive as they are steamed or more commonly boiled to death. They are killed because if allowed to complete full cycle, a moth will eat it's way through the cocoon where the silk would break and be rendered worthless. 
Though most wouldn't call the silkworm cute or consider it significant due to the fact it is an insect, it nevertheless is an animal that has full capacity to feel pain and suffering. It may not have ability to scream when afflicted with pain, but even this small creature is known to jump high in the air within the cocoon itself when being boiled alive as means of escape. 
Please choose to avoid materials made of silk. 


FACTS:

    • Silk production is used for making things such as clothing, bedding material and furniture. It is also used in some cosmetics. 
  • 3,000 silkworms are killed to make one pound of silk
  • Very few moths are spared in order to lay eggs for the continuing re-birth of silkworms. 
  • 300-400 eggs are laid by a single moth. 
  • Once unraveled, a single cocoon is between 300 and 900 meters in length
  • China and India are the leading producers of silk with China producing 58,000 tons of silk annually.

LINKS:

BeautyWithoutCruetly
TAKEPART
AnimalRights