tarte cosmetics animal testing policy

Hey guys.

I have received an email from a Tarte representative in regards to their animal testing policy. As always I will share it:

"Hello Camila,

  Thank you for contacting tarte cosmetics customer service. tarte cosmetics is not owned by a parent company. We are a cruelty free brand recognized by PETA that does not support animal testing or work with companies that do. Also, our products are not sold in China.  Please email me if you have any other questions.
Thank you!"

HOORAY!!

Finally a company that cuts the bs and gets to the point. I have watched many YouTube Beauty Gurus, that use cruelty-free makeup, talk about tarte cosmetics, so I had a good feeling about their company; however, I felt inclined to do my own research. Tarte is also in PETA's cruelty free list. (click here to access it) They are not on LeapingBunny's. It could be that they haven't gone through the process, or don't feel like they need to be certified by both companies. As of now I would feel safe about purchasing from Tarte. If you know anything, that might make me change my idea of tarte cosmetics feel free to email me at ca.alva@yahoo.com . Comment and let me know what you think.

-Camila :)

Urban Decay Update

UPDATE: (April 28, 2013) Urban Decay was purchased by L'Oreal Paris, sometime in November of 2012. L'Oreal is NOT cruelty-free. To read all the details click here. To read my correspondence with L'Oreal click here. 

DISCLAIMER: This was published BEFORE L'Oreal purchased UrbanDecay!!!!
_________________________________________________________________
Hey guys.
 So I received a reply from a Urban Decay representative in regards to selling in China.

My question:

"[names are omitted],Thank you for your correspondence. I have one question, that wasn't addressed in the link you provided. Does UrbanDecay sale in China? If so, how does the company get around the Chinese animal testing policy? Thank you in advance.Camila Alvarez "

Response:

"Hi Camila,We currently do not sell our products in China.Best Regards,[any names will be omitted]"

So, as you can see Urban Decay is completely cruelty-free. 

1. their "raw materials" are not tested on animals. 

2. nor are their final products

3.they DO NOT sell in China 

4. they have many vegan products 

5. They are listed on PETA's and Leaping Bunny's list of Cruelty-free companies.

6. I will be adding them to my cruelty-free list, once it's done. Unless, new information arises.

For now, I would feel comfortable buying their products. Not that I will anytime soon, I'm a college student after all. This view might change if, like i mentioned new information arises. 

It's difficult to know 100%, that a company is cruelty-free. That's why it's important of us to petition and to ask, and ask, and ask, for these companies to go cruelty-free. It's the power of the many. Vote with your money for cruelty-free companies. Hopefully, someday we will live in a society that values the life's of animals. A society, that see's them as friends rather than petri-dishes.

-Camila A.  

P.S. Leave your opinion or/and feedback. I would love to hear people's opinions. 

Urban Decay

Hey guys.
I emailed Urban Decay, using the format letter. I received a reply today. I would like to share it :

"Dear Ms. Camila Alvarez,
Customer Service has forward your email to me.
    We at Urban Decay Cosmetics are extremely concerned about our customer's satisfaction and do value the input from our devoted customers, so we appreciate you writing to us in regards to the research you are doing on animal testing. Please refer to the following links on our website to answer your questions-
http://www.urbandecay.com/Animal-Testing-Policy/animal-testing-policy,default,pg.html   We hope you continue to enjoy products from the Urban Decay line as you will continue to see our quality is amongst the very best. We truly appreciate and thank you for your patronage.
   Best regards,
UD Regulatory DepartmentUrban Decay Cosmetics LLC

833 W. 16th StreetNewport Beach, CA 92663Phone: 949.631.4504"

If you go to the link provided here is what it says:

"Animal Testing PolicyUrban Decay is a cruelty-free brand and is committed to ending animal testing. We do not test our finished products on animals, nor do we allow others to test on our behalf. Additionally, we require our suppliers to certify that the raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are not tested on animals. Our practices are certified by both PETA and The Leaping Bunny Program (CCIC) as cruelty-free."

Usually when companies state that their final product is not tested on animals, it implies that their ingredients might be tested on animals. However, it specifically states that the "raw materials" meaning the ingredients are not tested on animals. UrbanDecay, also states that they require suppliers to certify the "raw materials" as cruelty-free. If you have looked at the cruelty-free lists offered by both PETA and LeapingBunny.org you would be similar with UrbanDecay as one of the few huge makeup companies that are widely known as cruelty-free. So why was I inclined to follow up on them?

Its important to conduct your own research. Its easy, specially in our society, to be gullible and apathetic in regards to facts or news. Although, PETA and LeapingBunny are both committed to helping those of us who want to go cruelty-free, they can make mistakes. In order for me to feel secure in my purchase of cruelty-free cosmetics I need to "see" the truths for myself. I encourage you to use PETA and Leaping Bunny and my blog as accessories to your research. That's another reason I strongly encourage you all to email these companies and ask them about their policies. See for yourself first, then make an educated decision. If you do contact these companies please share below in the comments or email me at ca.alva@yahoo.com.




So now, how do I feel about purchasing from UrbanDecay?

I feel more comfortable. Will I go out and get myself the Naked Palette, as of now? No. I heard many contradictory stories about UrbanDecay. From random blogs. (Read veggiebeauty.com).

Therefore, I emailed them back, asking about their policy for selling in China. Many cruelty-free companies sell in China, through the web and therefore, do not need regulate to China's required testing on animals policy. Once, I get a response I will share it here.




Comment below and tell me how you feel about UrbanDecay.




-Camila

Burt's Bee's, Un(bee)lievable

Hey guys. So today I got a reply from Burt's Bee's, specifically a Burt's Bee's employee at the Consumer Care Team. I would like to share that email and then express how I feel about it. 

"Dear Miss Alvarez,

      This is Leigh with Burt's Bees. Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us with your concern. We appreciate the opportunity to share our stance on animal testing and our relationship to Clorox.
     We are passionate about our principles and we do not conduct any manner of animal testing nor do we ask others to do so on our behalf. Our products are certified under the Consumer Information on Cosmetics’ (CCIC) Leaping Bunny program, whose seal we proudly display on our packaging. Learn more about the Leaping Bunny seal at leapingbunny.org.
      Yes, Burt’s Bees is owned by Clorox and they are aware of, and fully support our position on animal testing, as they are also committed to the welfare of animals. In fact, using non-animal product safety evaluations is the norm at Clorox. Animal testing is a rare exception, used only when required by law or when all other efforts have been exhausted to establish a product's safety profile. If you would like to read Clorox’s full policy on animal testing, please use the following link: http://www.cloroxcsr.com/products-safety/.
In addition, you may find our Corporate Social Responsibility Report of great interest. It is located at burtbees.com/CSR. If we can provide any further information, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-849-7112 or burtsbees@consumerreply.com.
      GMO is an organism (such as a plant) that has been genetically modified. We reject the use of GMOs because not enough is known about their use and we are not convinced that they are natural or safe. Furthermore, we do not believe GMOs should be used in any kind of personal care products.
     Currently, there is a lot of controversy concerning GMOs and until researchers conclude that this technology is safe we will not use it in any of our products.
     I am sorry but none of our products are certified vegan.
All the best,

Consumer Care Team"

Camila's View:  

I feel extremely disappointed. Burt's Bee's is one of the biggest companies out there the targets natural products. How can a company define itself as natural and "nature becomes you" when they are using animals as petri-dishes for your experiments? Sure they don't test their products on animals, only when "required by law"?? This is a misconception MANY people have, the law (USA) DOES NOT require companies to test their products on animals. Check out : the FDA website to see their regulations on animal testing.    Further, they are owned by Clorox, which is the parent company, meaning even if you buy Burt's Bees stuff, those millions of dollars also go to Clorox and funds their animal testing. By the way Clorox owns Burt's Bees!!?? Clorox makes cleaning supplies, like Bleach that has many chemicals. These two companies seem almost complete opposites!   If you are serious about going cruelty-free, you MUST look at the parent company as well. I will definitely STOP buying from Burt's Bee's and encourage all who want to go cruelty-free, or are cruelty-free and didn't realize Clorox owns Burt's Bee's to stop buying their products. 

 

P.S. Feel free to leave me what you think about this in the comments. Did you use Burt's Bees? WIll you continue to buy from them?