Clothing/Cosmetics and Animal Abuse Article from All-Creatures.org



The Best Makeup Trend is Compassion

From Alejandra Tolley, Food Empowerment Project
April 2024

My journey to veganism would've taken a lot longer if it weren't for my opposition to animals in testing labs. This led to me to start learning how animals are treated inside the food system. While ensuring my makeup, haircare, and skincare were free from animal testing, I wanted to translate my view of animals into how I ate. After learning how animals are used to test cosmetics, my compassion extended beyond my beauty regimen and went into my food choices.

abused lab mouse
Cosmetic testing victim

My interest in makeup stemmed from my love for horror movies. I dreamed of becoming a special-effects makeup artist, and I decided to pursue it fully—until I learned what happens behind the scenes of cult-favorite beauty products. I worked at multiple makeup retailers right after high school until my early 20’s, and during that time, I learned about formulas, ingredients, and what makes a makeup or skincare product “effective.”

As someone who also dealt with problematic skin, I was eager to try everything that may help or cover my skin. At the time, my dad would help me by making facemasks in the kitchen, and one of his go-to’s was lemon! (The perks of having an enthusiastic DIY Mexican father!) This is when I first learned that natural products can target certain skin concerns, and it also started to get me thinking about how makeup is made.

When I learned about brands with cruelty-free labels, I wondered what made certain brands cruel? This led me to research, and what I found was horrifying. This deeply impacted me, and I began to speak out against this injustice at every opportunity.

My journey to veganism would’ve taken a lot longer if it weren’t for my opposition to animals in testing labs. This led to me to start learning how animals are treated inside the food system. While ensuring my makeup, haircare, and skincare were free from animal testing, I wanted to translate my view of animals into how I ate. After learning how animals are used to test cosmetics, my compassion extended beyond my beauty regimen and went into my food choices.

When I worked in beauty retail, I would spend time during my shift researching which plants and herbs soothe and brighten the complexion, which flower extracts create tints and colors, and how we can build a functional routine without harming our skin and animals.

Cruelty-free (CF) beauty is at the heart of my vegan activism because I don’t think any animal should suffer for human benefit; a new eyeshadow palette, for instance, is not worth it .

What’s pretty about a rat being forced-fed toxic chemicals? What’s beautiful about conducting eye and skin irritation tests on bunnies? What about minks being electrocuted, gassed, and beaten to death for eyelashes? Guinea pigs and mice are also subjected to invasive and painful tests—not required by law. How can any of this suffering make anyone feel beautiful?

These animals have a right to their own skin, fur, and eyes.

It makes you wonder why beauty companies still continue to test on animals. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), states that cosmetics “do not require that animal tests be conducted to demonstrate that the cosmetics are safe.”

This reiterates that this practice is not only cruel but unnecessary.

As you can imagine, I was a nightmare employee when I worked in beauty retail for five years as I would only show customers cruelty-free products, which resulted in certain makeup brand vendors not favoring me. However, I was given half of product inventory from other vendors because of my desire to promote products that didn’t harm animals. Customers were more than willing to learn about plant-based alternatives to their favorite cosmetics, and I’m so grateful I got to share my passion for cruelty-free makeup with them. They not only took home a new product but some information about the beauty industry that changed their hearts and minds about what they purchase going forward.

I noticed that these customers would repeatedly return to restock their favorite CF and vegan products. I think it’s because these formulas are free from animal testing and made with plant-forward ingredients. Many are inspired by ancient beauty rituals.

Indigenous women tinted their cheeks and lips with cherries, berries, and petals. They darkened their eyebrows with bark and clay. Indian women harness the power of ayurveda, a sacred system of beauty that uses turmeric and sandalwood to create masks and creams. Rice milk used as a toner is a centuries-old secret for Korean women to keep their skin hydrated and healthy. For generations, African women have used shea butter, moringa oil, and baobab oil to deeply moisturize their hair and skin.

We wore the colors of the Earth on us for centuries, and it didn’t harm us. Why do we now resort to animals for cosmetic testing? Using more natural, cleaner, organic, and simple ingredients is better for our skin, the planet, and the animals.

While I am a passionate CF beauty advocate, I also think of the animals used in labs for other types of testing, such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides. Beagles, cats, monkeys, and birds are also used for lab testing. Their suffering does not promote product safety; instead, they promote the idea that they are not seen as sentient beings who deserve to live a life free from exploitation. More than 115 million animals are estimated to be used for lab testing globally every year. Half a million of those animals are used for cosmetics.

Transitioning to a CF and vegan makeup routine doesn’t have to happen all at once. As someone who tossed their foundation right away, I acknowledge that this isn’t doable for everyone, and one may want to start slower. Some makeup retailers offer a refillable program so you can bring your empties to be recycled. You can also begin to replace each product and research brands that offer similar alternatives to your current routine. The beauty market is filled with incredible BIPOC-owned CF and vegan beauty brands.

By immersing myself into the world of makeup and skincare, I fell in love even more with the industry knowing we can create change for animals while still embracing and celebrating our love for all things beauty.

My favorite beauty trend showcases that one can achieve a flawless makeup look or a hydrated skin routine without an animal paying for it with their life. 


Posted on All-Creatures.org: July 30, 2024
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