Trust issues

In the words of Charlie Brown, “AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Shortly after starting my cruelty free research, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Revlon did not test on animals. They were on PETA’s “Do Not Test” list and I found several different websites and blogs that posted they were cruelty free; I verified this information through their website, including a live chat with a customer service rep who assured me that, “All ingredients used by Revlon and all products manufactured and sold by Revlon comply with both U.S. and European Union laws and regulations, including full compliance with all Europe-wide bans on testing of cosmetics and cosmetics ingredients using animals, which are part of the European Cosmetics Directive. Revlon has long been an industry leader in the elimination of animal testing. In 1986, Revlon was the first beauty products manufacturer to close down its animal testing facilities completely. In addition, Revlon holds its suppliers of ingredients and components to the same standards. All chemical supplier purchase orders require confirmation by the supplier that it does not perform animal testing on materials supplied.” What a revelation! How glorious! So much information, right there at my fingertips!

Fast forward a couple months and today, I received an email from the Leaping Bunny (I get email alerts from them; you can sign up too at www.mybeautybunny.com )that Revlon is conducting third party animal testing (see full blog post here; note the quote by the Revlon founder - interesting). In my more recent research, I have been asking that question specifically, but Revlon was among my early research and, partly from my inexperience and partly from the seemingly all-inclusive response given to me above, I didn’t specifically ask about third party testing. I am trying to get more specific proof that Revlon is indeed conducting third party testing, but in the meantime, PETA and the Leaping Bunny are well-trusted organizations and if they now both say Revlon is a [dirty, rotten] company that allows animal testing, then it’s generally safe to assume it’s true.

What.   A.   BUMMER.

This is so disheartening to me. While I don’t tend to use any Revlon makeup products anymore, they used to a make a Luxurious Lengths mascara that I LOVED, and I even just encouraged my sister to purchase a Revlon mascara, based on the fact that it was a cheaply priced, drugstore/Walmart available brand and that it was cruelty free. It was so nice to feel like I had Revlon in my back pocket as a widely available, bargain priced option. I was so proud of them because, despite being such a large company and offering lower priced products, I thought they still managed to be progressive and eliminate animal testing, despite it being an (allegedly) easier and cheaper alternative. I feel like Charlie Brown after Lucy yanks the football away at the last second.

After reading today’s LB blog post, I put some more effort into my Revlon research. Revlon is indeed now on PETA’s “Tests on Animals” list. The online Revlon CSR gave me the same exact statement I got from them in March. After reading through it veeeeeerrrrrryyyyyy carefully many, many times, I am disturbed to realize that this is one of the most deceptive animal testing policy statements I have encountered. I broke it down by section and realized just how many loopholes they’ve provided themselves. My full point by point analysis is below but this also made me realize that as careful as I’ve come to be about interpreting these statements, it’s so easy to be misled.

I’m starting to become so disillusioned by big corporations. Yes, I believe in a capitalistic society but I also believe that America is a place where you stand up for what’s right and for your beliefs. End of story. It’s evident that so many companies believe in profits. That in and of itself doesn’t make a company inherently evil, but when there ARE alternatives, it’s so sickening to think that people are still OK with the torture and experimentation of animals for the sake of an increased profit margin, all the while creating images of themselves as trustworthy, seemingly transparent, friendly, ethical, and responsible (generalizations). I’m sure I’ll explore this issue more in my blog; I recognize that it’s so complex and not at all a black-and-white, easily navigable topic.

But, long story short – like Lucy with her sneaky football move, Revlon is officially on my shit list.

I contacted them (7/12/12) through the live chat feature on their website and below is our interaction with my side by side analysis [my comments in bracketed italics]. I KNOW I’m being picky here, but I think that’s the point (I feel like to slip through the loopholes, they would say, a la Marshall on HIMYM, “LAWYERED!”).

Carolyn: Does Revlon contract for third party animal testing on its products or ingredients?

** Thank you for waiting. You are number 1 in line.

Thank you for waiting. You are now chatting with Kelley

Kelley: I'll be happy to help you.

Kelley: Revlon is in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations related to animal testing. All ingredients used by Revlon and all products manufactured and sold by Revlon comply with both U.S. and European Union laws and regulations, including full compliance with all Europe-wide bans on testing of cosmetics and cosmetics ingredients using animals, which are part of the European Cosmetics Directive. [To my knowledge, the ban is not fully effective until March 2013, so this likely leaves a loophole; this statement indicates their products are not tested on animals due to a European ban, but if that ban is not actually being fully implemented yet, they can’t be in violation of it. Sneaky, sneaky.]

Revlon has long been an industry leader in the elimination of animal testing. In 1986, Revlon was the first beauty products manufacturer to close down its animal testing facilities completely. [Obvious loophole for third party testing here.] In addition, Revlon holds its suppliers of ingredients and components to the same standards. [This is not meant to be sarcastic, but literally, specifically what standards?]  All chemical supplier purchase orders require confirmation by the supplier that it does not perform animal testing on materials supplied. [The specification of “chemical supplier purchase orders” could leave a potential loophole. What other suppliers, other than chemicals, are allowed to do animal testing?]

To assure product safety, Revlon relies on the judgment of pharmacologic, toxicologic and medical experts, non-animal alternative test methods and the established safety of formulations and ingredients. [Do not specifically state that they do not also use animal tests.] Revlon is committed to providing safe and effective products and will continue to comply with all government laws and regulations necessary to assure the quality, safety and efficacy of its products. [Leaves themselves open to performing animal tests because of government regulations, either now or in the future.]

Carolyn: I saw that Revlon is now on PETA's list of companies that test on animals; can you please explain why your cruelty free status has changed?

Kelley: This statement is the only information available. [It’s frustrating that they cannot/will not deviate from their set “script” to address a specific concern.]

Carolyn: So you can confirm that Revlon does not solicit outside companies to perform animal testing on its behalf?

Kelley: I will be happy to resend you our statement but this is the only information I have available at this time. [Again, she’s not answering my specific question because of having to stick to the “script” but the fact that they don’t come out and simply state, “We don’t test on animals for any reason, we don’t use any ingredients tested on animals for any reason, and we don’t solicit or allow anyone to test on animals on our behalf for any reason” speaks volumes.]

A small victory

I’ve been gathering up some research in anticipation of starting this blog and I couldn’t think of a better day to start than today. Some of you may be aware that about a month ago (June 2012), Urban Decay cosmetics made an announcement to start selling their products in China (which, for those of you who don’t realize, REQUIRES animal testing to demonstrate product safety). UD has always been a leader in the fight against animal testing; opposition to animal testing is one of their core values and their motto was “we don’t test on animals; how could anyone?” They also have an ever-expanding list of vegan products. So needless to say, this decision was a huge shock and a slap in the face to their loyal customers, who are most often rabid and voracious fans of the brand (myself included). While they put some BS PR-spin on the website (they wanted to go into China and change the culture from the inside out), we all saw through it and realized this decision was based, as so many business decisions are, on profits.

Both PETA and the Leaping Bunny immediately revoked their cruelty free certifications, they were barraged with venomous Facebook posts, tweets, and emails, and bloggers tore them a collective “new one.” A petition (actually, I think multiple) was started to try to convince UD to reverse their decision and not break into the Chinese market. UD said they would have a web chat to discuss their decision and answer questions, but it never happened. They took down their explanation on their website. They dodged questions on their Facebook page. As of 14 June, they said they were still going to have the webchat, but after that post, it was radio silence.

Then, today (7 July), an email was sent out and a Facebook post went up with something I truly didn’t expect; they listened. UD decided to reverse their decision and not start selling in China.

They realized just how many customers they were going to lose and how important being cruelty-free is to their fans. I am truly amazed. I am thrilled. I am ecstatic. I am itching to go buy some new eyeshadow. I’m still pissed that they put us through this in the first place, but I am honestly amazed that they actually listened, re-evaluated, and changed their minds.  

At first, I didn’t particularly want to forget and forgive (and let’s hope no one forgets), but then I realized that this is a huge victory. This is exactly what we (those of us who do not support companies that test on animals) want; we do not spend money in order to get companies to change their policy. It worked. UD is a much smaller company than say, a L’Oreal (animal testers), a Cover Girl (animal testers), or a Dior (animal testers only because they sell in China), but they are highly regarded nonetheless. Their products are high quality and their fans are quite literally fanatics. I hope that this incident sends shockwaves (OK, at least ripples) through the cosmetic industry. Obviously, there are already so many companies that test on animals and people buy them anyway, through a combination of ignorance and apathy, but I hope some of the bigger companies will take note that although relatively small, there is a customer base who will staunchly support a company based on its opposition to animal testing.

So, the good news is that Urban Decay is back on my Cubby-approved list. I’m a huge fan of a lot of their products; my favorite is their 24/7 Eyeliner; it literally lasts for 24 hours. No joke. It does. Not. Move. Mildew is an awesome olivey-green and their new black, Perversion, is BLAAAAACK. Their eye shadows are beautiful and highly pigmented and their eye shadow primer is amazing (I like Sin the best; it’s a light, champagney color that disappears under other colors). I give them 4 out of 4 paws. I’ll try and get some more specific product reviews about them in soon, but in the meantime, if you haven’t tried their makeup – DO IT! It’s pretty awesome. And now you can purchase with a clean conscience!

And so it begins...

This all started with some sad puppy dog eyes.

Ok, so not exactly SAD puppy dog eyes, but puppy dog eyes none-the-less.

As you may or may not be aware, I'm a little obsessed with my dog, Cubby. I think he is the best thing ever. EVER. I cannot imagine my life without him and he has literally inspired me to be a better person. I also am super in love with makeup. I may not bother with it every day, but I am definitely a makeup junkie.  It’s just fun.

While snuggling with my little prince one day, it just kind of hit me; I would never let anyone harm this sweet animal so how could I contribute to thousands of animals being harmed for humans’ vanity? In the United States, there are NO laws that require animal testing for cosmetics (or ingredients). NONE. ZERO. There are tons of regulations that require proof of a product’s safety, sure, but none that REQUIRE testing on animals. This is 2012, folks. Scientists can clone sheep, nuke a civilization back into the stone ages, and make tiny little treadmills for shrimp (no, seriously, look it up). There are plenty of alternate options to testing on animals. Lots of companies use them all the time. So why would any company still decide to harm, mutilate, poison, experiment on, and kill our furry little friends? Yes, there are still countries in the world (*ahem ahem* CHINA) that DO still require certain products and/or ingredients to be tested on animals but they can SUCK IT because there is quite literally no need for it. And in my book, any company that chooses to put profits over the well being of animals can also SUCK IT.

So, this blog is just documentation of my quest to transition to only supporting companies that have made a commitment to banning animal testing completely. There are lots of online resources to share this information (like PETA’s cruelty free list or The Leaping Bunny) as well as blogs that review products, but one more can’t hurt. This is not intended to be some sort of end-all, be-all resource on cruelty free products, but instead, just me sharing my journey to hopefully help you choose to be cruelty-free. I’d like to share information that I find online, as well as information direct from companies’ customer service departments; there are LOTS of loopholes and grey areas regarding a company’s stance on animal testing. Disclaimer: this blog is not about the writing; just the info sharing. I’ll do my absolute best to proof-read and keep it grammatically correct (ish) but please don’t judge my writing. I just want to help the animals!

So here’s my stance: my goal is to only buy cosmetic and household products (I’m not counting pharmaceuticals or food in this) from companies that do not test on animals whatsoever; no testing of finished products, no testing of ingredients, no contracting other companies to test on their behalf, no selling products in countries that require testing on animals, and not being owned by another company that does participate in animal testing (eg Burt’s Bees’ products are not tested on animals, but they are owned by Clorox, who does test on animals). I’ll post whatever research I find as well as reviews of items I’ve found and where you can purchase the same or similar things.