Going Cruelty Free And Need Advice.

Feb 17, 2016

Natalie D.

So the title says it all, I recently decided to go cruelty free by October thirteenth. I just realized how many big name makeup companies that I asked people that were cruelty free really aren't (ex. Maybelline, L'Oreal etc.)
I would like suggestions for foundation, concealer, mascara and eyeliner, preferably drugstore. I also would like advice on how to deal with the fact that I no longer can buy non cruelty free items like the new L'Oreal pallet nior for example. The reason why I am going cruelty free is my cat Toulouse lost a leg and half of one tooth to a fox trap intentionally set by someone back in 2014. I would also like to know if and why you chose to go cruelty free

Feb 17, 2016

Jamie D.

How cruelty free do you want to go? What do you consider cruelty free? I only ask because there's a lot of gray area in regards to this particular topic.

For instance, while brands like NYX and Bite Beauty are considered "cruelty free", their parent companies, or the companies that own them, are not cruelty free. NYX is owned by L'Oreal, and Bite Beauty is owned by Kendo (a subsidiary of the LVMH company) who are also not cruelty free.

Another thing to consider is that many brands, like Nars, for instance, who are "cruelty free" but produce animal hair bristle makeup brushes. Although all hairs are said to be gathered humanely, many cruelty free advocates argue that you can't possibly be cruelty free when manufacturing natural bristle brushes. (Nars is actually owned by a non-cruelty free company anyways, just FYI).

I think you get the gist. It's a really complicated subject matter, and I'd encourage you to do your own research and decide how extreme you want to make your decision. I personally researched this when I started working for Lush Cosmetics since they're all about fighting animal testing, but in practice I'm very bad at buying only cruelty free. As you may be starting to realize, it's a very hard thing to do.

Feb 17, 2016

Viva D.

Jamie hit it spot on :) also know that it is a requirement for all products sold to China have to be tested on animals before it can be bought in china.

Feb 17, 2016

Natalie D.

I would still buy even if the parent company is not cruelty free.

Feb 17, 2016

Jamie L.

Essence is also a really great cruelty free company! You can find their stuff at ulta and some targets I think. Nyx's matte foundation is pretty good but there isn't a very wide range of shades. I use Essence's super fine felt tip eyeliner and I love it, however it will transfer if you don't wear eyeshadow too. I've also heard their mascara is amazing. Ulta's line of makeup recently went cruelty free and it's not too bad. I used their double duty pressed powder before I got into high end makeup and I loved it. They just launched some highlighters and a color correcting concealer palette as well. I buy cruelty free as much as I can because of how inhumane animal testing is and in my opinion there is no reason to sacrifice the lives of hundreds of animals for me to feel pretty. Don't get me wrong, I still love my Mac lipsticks and Laura Mercier setting powders, but I try to keep the things I'm going to repurchase over and over again cruelty free. I started becoming cruelty free about a year and a half ago and justified my Mac purchases with their gay rights campaigns and AIDS charity. Lol.

Feb 18, 2016

Natalie D.

I feel like going cruelty free is slightly impossible for these five reasons
1. The closest ulta or sephora is over a hour or more away
2. My skin is very pale, with an odd olivey undertone
3. I have sensitive skin and eyes
4. The only brands that I can get locally do not carry concealer and foundation in my shade
5. The only foundation that's ever matched me exactly is the loreal luminous foundation by loreal. Which isn't cruelty free.
Not to mention a lot of my favorite products aren't made by cruelty free brands

Feb 18, 2016

Grace T.

I would recommend looking on YouTube at some of the you tubers who use cruelty free makeup and what they would recommend...that's what I've been doing and I've actually found some amazing products...Hope I helped!!😀😀

Feb 18, 2016

Shaye M.

You should check out the Australis Website :) cruelty free.

Feb 19, 2016

Michelle W.

Have you thought about using Indie products? There are tons of options! Life's Entropy offers some foundation mixers, to lighten or shift the tone. They also have a brow pomade that is supposed to be amazing. Hello Waffle has a great collection of shadows and powders. Blackbird for matte shadow pans. Shiro has some amazing products as well. They are cruelty free and have amazing options. The cons are it can take some time to get the products, but the pros are that a lot of them offer sample sizes at reasonable prices so that you can test them out and see if you like them!

Feb 22, 2016

Sateona A.

I'm sorry about your cat :( Try Milani, wet n wild, ELF, Prestige, NYX, Sonia Kashuk, Pacifica and Jordana.