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First lets talk briefly about the origination of makeup!
The origination of makeup can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians. One of the most notable features being the use of kohl which was a combination of metal, lead, copper, ash and burnt almonds, placed mainly all around the eyes. This was believed to have ward of the evil eye and bad spirits. Some reports also indicate that beetles and small insects were crushed and applied to the lips, this was done to achieve a red colour. Over the years as scientific curiosity increased, animals were often experimented on prior to any theories being applied to humans. Similarly over the years, animals were used to test cosmetic products before they were sold to be consumed by humans.
So what is cruelty-free makeup?
A product that is described as cruelty-free would have been created without any testing on animals. This would be applicable to the creation and production process.
There is a difference between the two that should be noted, being that, even though no animals may not have been used during the manufacturing process, some companies may use animal testing during the production stages.
Equally if the end product is not tested on animals but has been tested on animals throughout the creation process then essentially the product is not 100 percent cruelty-free. Some products may also state that it is required by law to be tested on animals, these are also not 100 percent cruelty-free!
So much confusion, what do we look out for?
Heres the main thing to remember, in order for a product to be 100 percent cruelty free, it will not have been tested on animals during the production and manufacturing nor will it have been tested on animals once the product was finalised. Some companies may use third parties to test their final product on animals and this would mean that the product is not cruelty-free. If the packaging does not clearly specify whether a product is cruelty-free then there you could carry out your own research and contact the company directly, most companies will be direct and clarify their position but others may not be so forthcoming and those are the ones to watch out for!
Where to find a list of 100 percent cruelty-free products
To ensure you’re buying products that are actually cruelty-free, look for those featuring the Leaping Bunny logo or PETA’s bunny logo. Both organisations thoroughly check companies and their procedures to determine whether they meet cruelty-free standards. However, be careful in ensuring that the featured bunny is official as some may not be genuine! It is always best to carry out your own research!
Other ways you can check for cruelty-free products is by doing a quick search online, although some sources may not be completely reliable it would definitely be a step in the right direction. Finally, you can check products by scanning the barcode using a cruelty-free mobile app. Some popular ones commonly used are Leaping Bunny App, Choose Cruelty Free App, Bunny Free App (PETA)
Another thing to take into consideration that makeup that is cruelty-free may not be vegan. This is a topic that we also cover in one of our upcoming blogs. To keep up to date you can subscribe to our blogs by visiting www.glamdeva.com/blog
