BellaSugar

How Much Does Animal Testing Matter to You?

BellaSugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 06:00:33 -0700

I love animals and have been a vegetarian for 12 years, but I admit that my medicine cabinet probably has some products that have been tested on bunnies, rats, dogs and guinea pigs. This has inspired me to do a little more research, which I'll share with you soon. For now, though, I want to know where you stand on the issue.

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Kate Hudson's Animal-Friendly Haircare Collection

BellaSugar — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 05:00:07 -0700

Oscar-nominated actress, Hollywood mom and all-around cute lady Kate Hudson is about to add one more title to her resume: Co-creator of a haircare line. She's teaming up with stylist David Babaii to develop David Babaii for Wildaid, a forthcoming eco-friendly haircare collection free of sulfates, parabens, animal products and animal testing. Slated to feature shampoos, conditioners and styling tools, it should hit stores later this year. According to the press release, part of the revenue will go to wildlife-protection group Wildaid, which means your purchase will help protect endangered animals such as sea turtles and tigers.

Here's what Kate has to say about the collaboration:

"I've been asked to do a lot of campaigns in the past and this feels like the perfect fit for me. David is the best at what he does and he's put so much of himself into the development of this line. And the fact that we can do it in an ecologically responsible and animal-friendly manner that can help preserve wildlife is what makes this truly special."

If this line is able to replicate Kate's locks and help animals, what's not to like? Thanks to mmooney7 for pointing this out!

Reformulation Station: Why Your Favorite Perfume Smells Different

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:00:18 -0800

Have you ever loved a scent, forgotten about it, then come back a few years later only to find that you aren't at all fond of it anymore? Recently, I was reading about the new version of YSL Opium, and it made me think about the prevalence of scent retooling. Most fragrances that stay out for more than a couple of years will be reformulated as a way to freshen the scent and attract a new audience, with new notes and sometimes an entirely different scent. Fragrance companies, however, don't usually make that clear when they relaunch a product. And while reformulation can sometimes mean the addition of cruelty-free ingredients or a subtle update to suit the tastes of a new generation, it can also spell disaster for the fragrance's original fans. Have you ever had something like this happen with a fragrance you love? And did you use the new version, or have to find a different scent?

Bella Interview: Cristina Samuels, Co-Founder of Mode Cosmetics

BellaSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:02:36 -0800

When you're raised around the family business, it only makes sense that you'd follow suit. And for Cristina Samuels and Jennifer Isaac, doing so has been a beautiful endeavor. From the time they were girls, they learned by watching their father, a cosmetic-industry veteran. Now, they're the co-founders and co-owners of Mode Cosmetics, a line of cruelty-free (and reasonably priced!) makeup made in New York.

Just a few minutes with the sisters is inspiring - they're incredibly passionate about their work, and they know their business. If you're interested in a cosmetics-biz career, get some advice from Cristina when you read more.

Your Guide to Deciphering Cruelty-Free Beauty

BellaSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:00:19 -0700

When it comes to animal testing, there's really no reason to do it with cosmetics. And it's not just me and PETA who think this way; the European Union has banned all cosmetics-related animal testing, effective next year. It's not only about saving bunnies from having shampoo poured in their eyes - although that seems like a good-enough reason to me. It's about creating new ways to test ingredients, too; for instance, L'Oreal is developing ways to test on in vitro skin tissue, which is not only cruelty-free, it's also more reliable.

But that's the European Union. In the States, animal testing is unregulated, with major cosmetics companies such as Procter & Gamble continuing to test on our furry friends. If you'd like to avoid animal testing, here are some things to look out for.

The Leaping Bunny, shown here. Whenever you see this cute rabbit, you'll know that the product has been developed without any animal testing in any phase of product development by the company, its suppliers, or its outsourced laboratories. Independent audits confirm this, so the seal is trustworthy.
Final product not tested on animals. Pay attention to the wording here. The final product isn't tested on animals, but its ingredients probably were.
This brand does not test on animals. Again, the phrasing is tricky. Maybe Brand X doesn't test on animals, but its supplier does. Or Brand X has a laboratory formulate its products, and some mad scientist is injecting poor little mice with poison.

If you're interested in finding out which companies do and don't test on animals, these lists should help. Keep in mind that most beauty companies are owned by a corporate parent who owns other companies. For instance, Burt's Bees does not test on animals, but Clorox, its parent company, does. So when you shop, you may want to keep that in mind.

More Bang For Your Buck, e.l.f. Is Cruelty-Free, Too

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:00:30 -0800

I know eyeliner belongs on my face and not on bunnies or kitties, but it's not always easy to decipher which beauty products aren't tested on animals. Love PETA or hate it, you've got to hand it to the group for its annual Proggy Awards, which highlights animal-friendly people and companies. This year's winner of the cosmetic category is New York-based e.l.f.

Short for "eyes, lips, face," it not only stands out in my mind for their animal-friendly achievements, but also because most products cost just $1 . . . and no, I didn't forget any zeros. Sold at major retailers like Kmart and Wal-Mart, you can check out its selection of brushes, makeup, and more online. The brushes get rave reviews from readers, and since they're animal-friendly, I feel OK using them on my face, too.

Proggy Rock: Award-Winning Animal-Friendly Beauty

BellaSugar — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:00:49 -0800

In yesterday's review of an Olay product, most of the comments condemned the company for testing on animals. So today, I thought I'd highlight some bunny- and kitty-friendly beauty products that recently won PETA's Proggy Awards.

The Proggy Awards are given to various animal-friendly companies, people, and products. Check out the winners:

Best Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Line: Urban Decay
This one wasn't a surprise, since Urban Decay has always been strongly against animal testing. It also has vegan products clearly labeled, so it's easy to avoid animal products altogether if you like.

Best Cruelty-Free Personal Care Product Line: White Rain
Whoa. Who saw this one coming? As it turns out, White Rain is another vegan line that doesn't test on animals-proof that you don't need a lot of cash to be a conscientious shopper.

Best Cruelty-Free Personal Care Product: Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Shampoo
I hadn't heard of this shampoo, but it sounds pretty cool. As PETA says, they're not only "vegan and cruelty-free, they are also free of parabens, PVP, and other mysterious petrochemicals." Good times.

To see who scored points in food, entertainment, and religion (yep, religion!), check out the the complete list. Yay for PETA for giving credit where credit's due. Now if they could just put the kibosh on the whole objectification-of-women thing, we'd be best pals.

6 Eco-Friendly, Recession-Proof Beauty Tips

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:00:12 -0800

Going green is more than just a trend. It's a way of life. Being economical about spending? That's also a way of life - especially these days. Well, we're in luck. Kim Carlson, an eco-chic lifestyle expert and author of Green Your Work: Boost Your Bottom Line While Reducing Your Eco-Footprint ($10.17), has some tips on being eco-friendly and frugal when it comes to beauty. Besides cutting back on consumption, Carson also recommends purchasing beauty products that have the Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS) label to ensure cruelty-free standards. Check out her tips on being green all while saving the greenbacks:

Eco-friendly beauty for less than $10

DIY milk bath: Mix together 3/4 cup of nonfat powdered milk, 1/4 cup epsom salts, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 6-10 drops of your favorite essential oil for a relaxing, detoxifying treat.
Humidity check: To prevent your skin from losing moisture, particularly in the Winter, consider purchasing an inexpensive hygrometer, which is a device that measures moisture content in the air. If your humidity is between 20-50 percent, you're good to go. If not, a humidifier should do the trick.

See the rest of Carson's tips when you read more.

Lotion "made" by bees: Burt's Bees Radiance Body Lotion ($9) is phthalate- and paraben-free and is made with royal jelly, a nourishing natural substance.
Cleanse with hemp: Hemp grows quickly and doesn't need much water to be effective. Try Vegan Essentials’ Hemp Washcloth ($7.95).
No too toxic polish: Look for nail polish without dibutyl phthalate, a harmful, irritating chemical. CoverGirl, Avon, Sally Hansen, and Estée Lauder have all switched to phthalate-free formulations, and Carson recommends Suncoat Water-Based Nail Polish ($9.99).
Soap/shampoo combo: SunLeaf Natural’s Shampoo & Body Soap ($7.95) combos are made from olive, coconut, avocado, castor, and organic hemp seed oils. They're also bottle-free (obviously) and great multitaskers - always environmentally friendly options.

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Reader Review of the Day: E.L.F. Mineral Eye Shadow

BellaSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:00:11 -0800

A few days ago I mentioned the bargain priced, cruelty-free cosmetics brand E.L.F.. So, while I was perusing the product review site in search of stellar reviews, I was happy to come across ImmaDiva's opinion on the brand's Mineral Eye Shadow in Mysterious ($3.00). Here's what she had to say about her experience with this shadow:

The quality, shimmer, and color of this is identical to Bare Minerals, and it's at a fraction of the cost. E.L.F. is so cheap and I couldn't believe how long this lasted on my eyes. I used E.L.F. cream shadow as a base and the mineral shadow clung to it all day. And the color payoff was rich! I was pleasantly surprised.

Would you like to see your opinion right here? Just go to our product review site and review to your heart's delight. You could be featured on this daily post.

Lovely Links

BellaSugar — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 08:00:29 -0800

A Touch of Blusher tells us about the new Shiseido Spring Makeup Collection.
Fashionista confirms that Camille Belle has a new scented gig.
Jezebel reports that China is hiring students as Olympics ambassadors. The appearance requirements include strict face and body proportion ratios. Seriously?
Beauty Snob gives us the low-down on her experience with Paula Dorf's Cruelty-Free Makeup Brushes.
Blogdorf Goodman gives us the scoop on the new Zoya Spring 2008 Nail Shades.
Thanks to Spoiled Pretty, we can all receive free samples of Darphin 8 Flower Nectar and Hydraskin Light with any order worth $75 or more.

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