Cruelty-Free Beauty - The Products You Should Be Buying

June 15th, 2017 at 10:00am

There has been an increasing demand for cruelty-free and vegan beauty products which is a beautiful thing in itself! After going vegan four months ago, I decided that I was going to be more conscious about which companies I buy my cosmetics from. I sorted through all of my cosmetics (including makeup, skincare, shampoos, etc.) and did research on each of the companies I regularly bought from to see which ones were cruelty-free and which ones tested on animals. I’m excited to share my findings with you, and I encourage you to do some research on your beauty products as well!

What exactly is animal testing in the cosmetic industry?

Animal testing is when companies use live animals, like rabbits, hamsters, mice, and other small rodents (or mammals) to experiment with new chemicals to see the physical reactions before adding them to beauty products. Chemicals are injected into their skin, eyes, ears, and even into their stomachs which often causes them pain from reactions, chemical burns, and even death.

Fortunately, more and more companies today are changing their testing policies and going cruelty-free! Every cosmetic I used in this look is from a 100% cruelty-free company.

I started with the Glossier super pure serum and the Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting primer. For my face, I used Tarte Amazonian clay BB tinted moisturizer, Tarte smooth operator Amazonian clay pressed finishing powder, and Too Faced Born This Way concealer. To contour and highlight, I used the Anastasia Beverly Hills The Original Contour Kit, and BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in the shade Pearl. I used the Colourpop Bangin’ Brunette Brow Pencil to fill in my eyebrows. For my eyes, I used the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Too Faced Sweet Peach palette, Tarte Tarteist Double-Take eyeliner, Bare Minerals Lash Domination mascara, and Too Faced Better Than Sex waterproof mascara. I finished off by setting it all with the Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray.

Other companies that DO NOT test on animals include:

  • BeautyBlender
  • BH Cosmetics
  • Cover FX
  • IT Cosmetics
  • DryBar
  • E.L.F.
  • Hourglass
  • Kat Von D Cosmetics
  • Lush
  • Nars
  • Stila

Companies you may not have known DO test on animals:

  • Benefit Cosmetics
  • Chanel
  • Clinique
  • CoverGirl
  • L’Oreal
  • MAC
  • Revlon
  • Tom Ford
  • Aveeno
  • Glamglow
  • Makeup Forever

Have you done research about where your cosmetic companies from? There are so many amazing brands that do not test on animals, and simply being aware about which companies you buy from can contribute to the ending of cruel and unnecessary animal testing! For the complete list of cruelty-free cosmetic companies, please visit Cruelty-Free Kitty’s site.

Got any tips for staying cruelty-free or anything I may have missed? Put your two cents in in the comments below about your fave cruelty-free cosmetics or beauty tips!

Author

  • Rachel Zuckerberg

    I am from Detroit, MI and I am a freshman at Columbia College Chicago studying fashion business. Other than fashion, I am passionate about dance, cosmetics, traveling, and music/concerts.