The 29th installment of my #MondayMantra series: I am WORTH IT.
Just because a product is cruelty free one day, the next day it could change, as companies are bought and sold all the time. The best thing you can do is read package labeling and do THE BEST YOU CAN. In our ever-evolving world, that’s all anyone can do….their best. —-Carolyn J. Braden, 1/14/18
My Quick Visual Review on L’Oreal’s Rouge Signature Lip Gloss:
Photography by Carolyn J. Braden
Pin me! www.carolynsbloomingcreations.com
Photography by Carolyn J. Braden
Pin me! www.carolynsbloomingcreations.com
Photography by Carolyn J. Braden
Pin me! www.carolynsbloomingcreations.com
Photography by Carolyn J. Braden
Pin me! www.carolynsbloomingcreations.com
Photography by Carolyn J. Braden
Pin me! www.carolynsbloomingcreations.com
My extended review:
In receiving three complimentary lip glosses to test for L’Oreal via Influenster, it spawned me to do a heavy investigation into animal testing and cruelty free beauty products.
It was not something I sought out or even expected. I was simply in the shower recently (where I do a lot of my heavy pondering) and just thought “Hey, I wonder if L’Oreal is a cruelty free brand?”, something I’ve been wondering about many brands lately. I grabbed a bottle of my L’Oreal EverPure shampoo and saw the phrase “Formula not tested on animals”.
That wording bothered me.
The formula wasn’t tested on animals, but I wondered about all the research that went into making the actual product. So, I finished showering, dried off and immediately Googled “L’Oreal Cruelty Free.” The first article that came up was from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), so I clicked on it.
Upon reading the article (it was a very informative and not a scary at all), I learned that though L'Oreal has worked towards becoming cruelty free, they still cannot be considered a cruelty free brand.
Why?
Because they sell their products in China. The Chinese government still makes any brand that wants to sell in their country test on animals. While L’Oreal has worked with China to “loosen up” on the law, it is still in effect.
In learning this, I started researching Suave, Oil of Olay, YSL, OPI, Sally Hansen, CND, Dior, and many other brands I’ve been using and sadly, they all sell in China and are not cruelty free. So, while I have loved using some of these brands over the years, I will no longer be purchasing them. I will do the hard work and research before making my beauty purchases from now on. I research the food I eat (we eat organically and non-GMO in our house) so now I’ll add beauty to my research regimen.
I’ll also start writing “I AM WORTH IT” in my journal every day to remind me that doing the research and going cruelty free is helping myself and animals everywhere, for every little bit helps. When I think of all the unconditional love my pets give me, I know that they are worth it.
How I’ll Be Going Cruelty-Free:
My “little sis”, Jordan, mentioning to me recently that she was looking for less inexpensive cruelty free beauty brands and it helped me reach the point of knowing it was time for our household to go 100% cruelty free.
I’ll be using up any non-cruelty free products I have left and start replacing them with brands that are cruelty free throughout 2019 and beyond.
Examples of my replacements:
Instead of the L’Oreal Rouge Signature lip gloss (though was lightweight, very long lasting and had beautiful colors), I’ll be looking forward to trying a similar product from Kat Von D, a brand I’ve recently been introduced to and love. Her brow pomade lasts ALL DAY and the reviews for her Everlasting Liquid Lipstick on Sephora’s website look outstanding. There are ton of colors too! While the L’Oreal product is $12, the Kat Von D is $20, the price is still worth it to me.
Instead of the Suave dry shampoo I’ve been using, I’ll use one from Lush. I’ve tried it Lush’s version and liked it, but discounted it because it was more expensive. Now I realize it’s worth the higher price when I think about the overall quality (it lasted a very long time) and Lush’s company philosophy (tested on humans, not animals), makes it even more worth it.
Instead of the eyelash primer I’ve been using from Dior, I’ll be switching to Grande Cosmetics. I’ve used their primer before and loved it, but was always torn between Dior or Grande. Being cruelty free, Grand Cosmetics made my decision to switch to their products quite easy.
Instead of using my current moisturizer from GlamGlow, I’ll be researching other moisturizers I can use that are cruelty free such Jack Black, 100% Pure, and Purlisse, all brands I’ve used before and liked.
Anytime you are in doubt whether a product is cruelty free or not, simply Google the product brand+cruelty free. You’ll get tons of useful links you can use for research from websites such as Cruelty-Free Kitty, PETA, and Ethical Elephant.
There are a TON of products that are cruelty free, so I am confident I can always find a replacement for something I’m currently using. I currently use It Cosmetics and love the line. They are currently cruelty free (see the logo at the bottom of their website) and certified by PETA, however, they are owned by L’Oreal, which is not cruelty free. Their cruelty free stance will be something I’ll constantly check on, as I encourage you to do the same with cruelty free products you are using.
Just because a product is cruelty free one day, the next day it could change, as companies are bought and sold all the time. The best thing you can do is read package labeling and do THE BEST YOU CAN. In our ever-evolving world, that’s all anyone can do….their best.
Sending our light and love to all who need it!
Backstory on my mantra series:
A mantra is a word, phrase, or sound that is repeated to aid in meditation. You could also compare it to a sort of prayer. I feel my journaling and writing of my mantras is a form of meditation or prayer. It calms me and helps me make better sense of my feelings and all the thoughts swimming around in my mind.
I believe saying or writing something repeatedly, as you already have it, aids one in attaining dreams and goals. If you write something as you already have it, it makes you feel, somehow, as if it is truly happening no matter how drastic or scary it may seem. It's like a trick to help your brain catch up to what your heart desires.