Boots and Companies || Animal Testing Inquiry

Hey guys. So I started spotting a lot of interesting Boots products at Target and so I decide to shoot them an email and inquire about their animal testing policy. Boots actually manufactures brands like: No7, No7 Men, Botanics, Indeed Laboratories, Boots Expert, Champneys, Poppy King, Boots Extracts, and Mark Hill.

Before I emailed them I did some research but I couldn’t find clear answers. I did see them on NotTested under the ‘ambiguous’ categorization. I did find some forums that mentioned No7 specifically as not cruelty-free. Just a disclaimer, you can’t trust forums to be 100% accurate. Anyways, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I emailed using the template I always use. Click here to check it out.

I received a reply, here it is:

Dear Camila

Thanks for contacting us about animal testing and I apologise for the delay in responding to you.

Boots and its subsidiary businesses do not test any products or ingredients on animals, and do not commission others to do so on our behalf. In fact in March 2013 it became illegal for any company to test cosmetic products or ingredients on animals in Europe. 

The issue of animal testing on products and raw materials is one we take very seriously at Boots UK. For over 20 years our policy for cosmetics and toiletries has been that we do not carry out, or ask our suppliers to carry out on our behalf, animal testing on either ingredients or finished products and you can rest assured that we apply our policy rigorously.

Boots would like to see an end to all animal testing, and we fully supported the development of the ban on animal testing on ingredients that came into force in the European Union in 2013. The ban applies to all cosmetics products purchased from any store across the EU and completes the ban that started with  finished products in 2004 and was extended to cover most types of ingredient testing in 2009.  The 2013 law has completed the ban for all forms of animal testing for both products and ingredients and now ensures that all companies in our industry in Europe are now aligned with the same policy that Boots has had in place for over 20 years.

We would definitely like to see an end to all animal tests. We fully support the intentions of the BUAV and take a keen interest in the development and introduction of alternative forms of safety testing.

I hope you find this helpful and reassuring.

If you need to know if any of our products contain a certain ingredient like Carnuba wax please send the product identity code to me and I can request a list of ingredients from our Product Team. Unfortunately, I am unable to provide this information on a whole range and do need to seach on products individually.

Kind regards

I liked the reply. I'm always for companies that support banning animal testing.  It makes me want to support them. I had no idea Boots helped with the 2013 European animal testing ban.

As you can tell they didn't address whether or not they sell in the Chinese market, so I emailed them again!

I said:

Thank you so much for emailing me back, I truly appreciate it. I am very happy with everything that was mentioned. However, one very important question wasn't addressed. I was wondering if Boots sells any of it's products of any of its' company's in the Chinese market? 
Thank you again! 

This was their reply:

Dear Ms Alvarez

Thank you for contacting us. I am sorry that we did not answer you enquiry completely and I hope I can help you further.

I can confirm that Boots do not sell our products to the Chinese Market as this would contradict our Animal Testing Policy.

Thank you again for contacting us. If we can help in any further way, please let us know
Kind regards 

What do you guys think? I really think everything they mentioned is very strong and specific; they didn't seem ambiguous to me at all. Also, like I mentioned before NotTested has them under the ambiguous category; however this list hasn't been updated in a long while. So keep that mind. I really feel comfortable support Boots!

Leave me your feedback.

Lots of Love,

Camila

facebook | twitter | instagram | bloglovin'

ǝrǒmǝ || CandleBay :: Cruelty-Free Status

Hey guys!

So I have a candle from ǝrǒmǝ, it's the Pecan Pie! 

I saw they have a Peta bunny and so I felt pretty safe buying it and I couldn't find a parent company online so that also gave me comfort. 

Now ǝrǒmǝ is a manufactured by CandleBay and so I contacted CandleBay and asked about their cruelty-free status.

I wanted to learn more about their policy!

I used the template I always use. You can find it here!

Hello, My name is Camila Alvarez. I am the writer for HumanelyChic (humanelychic.blogspot.com), a cruelty-free beauty blog. I am interested in buying from your company but would like to be assured that your products are cruelty-free. I have some questions I would appreciate you address. Please be sure to answer all of them as the answers you provide are very important to both my readers and myself.  

1. Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals?

2. Do you test ingredients or products on animals through a 3rd party? If your answer is no, how do you ensure that your manufacturers do not test? 

3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals?

4. Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals?

5. Do you have a parent company? If so who are they? 

6. Do you/your parent company currently or have plans to market and sell your products in the Chinese market, which requires animal testing by law to sell in that country? 

7. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source? 

8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?

Thank you in advance for you cooperation!

I received a reply the following day! Here is what they said. 

Dear Camila,

All of the lines that we manufacture are cruelty-free, NO animal testing of any kind is ever done concerning our products.
Questions 1 thru 6 are answered NO
Question 7 -  We only use plant based, essential oils in our candles and diffusers and
Question 8 - THEREPE, THEREPE LUXE and EROME

Let me know if you want our wholesale information e-mail and what we require to open a wholesale account.

Thank you for your interest,

So yeah guys I would definitely feel safe buying from them! Again, they are PETA certified and so that adds to my ease. I am not being paid to say this but I really like the one candle I have and think you should check out their site! I will have a review showing you the candle I have!

Lots of Love,

Camila

facebook | twitter | instagram | bloglovin'

Besame Cosmetics || Animal Testing Policy

Hey friends!
A couple of days ago on my Facebook page I promised to post my correspondence with Besame Cosmetics. Sorry, it has taken me a while. I've had a long week. 

I emailed Besame Cosmetics using the template I always use. 

Hello, My name is Camila Alvarez. I am the writer for HumanelyChic (humanelychic.blogspot.com), a cruelty-free beauty blog. I am interested in buying from your company but would like to be assured that your products are cruelty-free. I have some questions I would appreciate you address. Please be sure to answer all of them as the answers you provide are very important to both my readers and myself.  

1. Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals? 

2. Do you test ingredients or products on animals through a 3rd party? If your answer is no, how do you ensure that your manufacturers do not test? 

3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals?

4. Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals?

5. Do you have a parent company? If so who are they? 

6. Do you/your parent company currently or have plans to market and sell your products in the Chinese market, which requires animal testing by law to sell in that country? 

7. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source? 

8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?
Thank you in advance for you cooperation!

If you email companies feel free to use the format above as a guide or exactly as is! Just make sure you use your name! 

Here is Besame's Reply. 

Greetings, Camila!

Thank you for your interest in Besame Cosmetics!

1.Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals?
We never test on animals for anything we produce.

 2. Do you test ingredients or products on animals through a 3rd party? If your answer is no, how do you ensure that your manufacturers do not test?

No ingredients or products tested on animals. We are an independent local manufacture, so we are the ones to decide how the products are tested.

 3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals? 

No.

 4.  Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals?

No

 .5.Do you have a parent company? If so who are they?

N/A

 6.Do you/your parent company currently or have plans to market and sell your products in the Chinese market, which requires animal testing by law to sell in that country?

No.

 7.  Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source?

We use Carnuaba wax in our lipstick. None of our ingredients are organic because a lot of ingredients we use do not come in an organic form.

 8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?

Our Cream Rouge, Crimson and Apricot are Vegan.
Please let us know should you have any other questions, we are here to help!
Warmest Regards,

I'm glad that they addressed and answered all the questions.  I would feel safe purchasing from them! They were very nice and open throughout our correspondence, which has nothing to do with their cruelty-free status but it's much appreciated. 

What do you think? Do you think their reply is thorough enough? If you have any questions you would like me to ask Besame? Let me know !!

Lots of Love,

Camila

facebook | twitter | instagram | bloglovin'

Hourglass || Cruelty-Free Correspondence

Hey guys. I wanted to share the correspondence I had with Hourglass. It’s a good one.

I emailed them saying:

Hello, My name is Camila Alvarez. I am the writer for HumanelyChic (humanelychic.blogspot.com), a cruelty-free beauty blog. I am interested in buying from your company but would like to be assured that your products are cruelty-free. I have some questions I would appreciate you address. Please be sure to answer all of them as the answers you provide are very important to both my readers and myself.

1. Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals?

2. Do you test ingredients or products on animals through a 3rd party? If your answer is no, how do you ensure that your manufacturers do not test?

3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals?

4. Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals?

5. Do you have a parent company? If so who are they?

6. Do you/your parent company currently or have plans to market and sell your products in the Chinese market, which requires animal testing by law to sell in that country?

7. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source?

8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?

Thank you in advance for you cooperation!

By the way, feel free to use this format when you contact companies. Obviously, use your name.

This was their reply:

Hi Camilla, thank you for your email. Please find answers to your questions below.  

Best,

{names omitted}

1. Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals?

Hourglass does not test products on animals.


2. Do you test ingredients or products on animals through a 3rd party? If your answer is no, how do you ensure that your manufacturers do not test? 

Hourglass does not test ingredients or products on animals through 3^rd parties.  Written confirmation is provided by all contract manufacturers.


3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals?

Hourglass contract manufacturers do not test ingredients or products on animals.


4. Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals?

No


5. Do you have a parent company? If so who are they? 

No, we are privately owned.


6. Do you/your parent company currently or have plans to market and sell your products in the Chinese market, which requires animal testing by law to sell in that country? 

No


7. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source? 

Hidden Corrective Concealer & Femme Rouge Velvet Crème Lipstick – both contain carnauba wax from organic source.

Film Noir Kohl Pencil, Film Noir Mascara, Superficial Lash Mascara and Trace Lip Liner do contain this ingredient but not from an organic source. We are currently discontinuing Film Noir Kohl Pencil, Superficial Lash Mascara and Trace Lip Liner.


8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?

Ambient Lighting Powder – Diffused Light

Ambient Lighting Powder – Dim Light

Ambient Lighting Powder – Ethereal Light

Ambient Lighting Powder – Luminous Light

Ambient Lighting Powder – Radiant Light

Ambient Lighting Blush – Diffused Heat

Ambient Lighting Blush - Luminous Flush

Ambient Lighting Palette

Brushes

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Ballet

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Child

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Ignite

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Imagine

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Lush

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Nectar

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Origami

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Primal

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Reflect

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Siren

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Truth

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Verse

Illume Bronzer Duo

Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation

Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick

Panoramic Long Wear Lip Liner

Veil Fluid Makeup

Veil Mineral Primer

 I’m really excited and happy with their correspondence. They answered all the questions and even listed their vegan products. I will be supporting Hourglass and hopefully you also feel safe supporting them.

Lots of Love,

Camila

facebook | twitter | instagram | bloglovin'

Josie Maran Cruelty-Free Correspondence

Hey guys.
I wanted to share the emails a wonderful reader/friend of this blog sent me. Aurelie. She sent them to me a while back, but I honestly haven't had much time. I try to post at least once a week, and I usually post a Snatch-It-Up Sunday.

I am interested in buying from your company but would like to be assured that your products are cruelty-free. I have some questions I would appreciate you address.

1. Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals?
2. Do you test ingredients or products on animals through a 3rd party? If your answer is no, how do you ensure that your manufacturers do not test?
3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals?
4. Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals?
5. Do you have a parent company? If so who are they?
6. Do you/your parent company currently or have plans to market and sell your products in the Chinese market, which requires animal testing by law to sell in that country?
7. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source?
8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?

Thank you in advance for you cooperation!

They sent her this reply:

Thank you for taking the time to write in, my name is [name omitted]. We deeply apologize for the delayed response, as we're closed over the weekend and the past several days for a company-wide training. Josie Maran Cosmetics is a 100% cruelty-free brand and does not conduct animal testing—nor do we allow any other parties, including our suppliers, to conduct animal testing on our behalf. We're proud to be listed on PETA’s official website as a cruelty-free company.

http://www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/365.aspx?SearchUrl=%2Fliving%2Fbeauty-and-personal-care%2Fcompanies%2Fsearch.aspx%3FTesting%3D0%26Range%3D4%26PageIndex%3D2

Please write again if I can help in any way!
Best,

As you can tell, this reply is very vague. Cool, they are part of PETA's list, but that doesn't answer questions like their parent company, etc.

Aurelie, emailed them back:

Hi [name omitted],

You omitted to answer to those questions,

I will really appreciate if you answer to those questions below.

Thank you so much!

4. Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals?
5. Do you have a parent company? If so who are they?
6. Do you/your parent company currently or have plans to market and sell your products in the Chinese market, which requires animal testing by law to sell in that country?
7. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source?
8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?

 This was their second respond:

Hi [name omitted],

Thank you for following up with us. Josie Maran Cosmetics is a 100% cruelty-free brand and does not conduct animal testing—nor do we allow any other parties, including our suppliers, to conduct animal testing on our behalf. We do partner with our suppliers and manufacturers to ensure our high standards, values, and visions are aligned with being a cruelty free brand. In regards to vegan products, each of our products has a list of icons on the product page. There will be a vegan free icon associated with products that are gluten free. I hope this helps and have a great day.

Please write again if I can help in any way.
Best,

Again, they did not address question #6. Which, in my opinion, needs to be answered!!

She emailed them for the third time.

Hi [name omitted],

Thank you so much for your patience.

You omitted to answer to one last question - the one about Chinese market.


I will really appreciate if you answer to this question below.


6. Do you/your parent company currently or have plans to market and sell your products in the Chinese market, which requires animal testing by law to sell in that country?



Thank you,

 You go Aurelie! I love this correspondence! I'm such a nerd, I get so excited!

Hi Aurelie,

Thank you for your response. Our products are not sold in the Chinese market though Josie Maran Cosmetics to our knowledge and consent. Josie Maran Cosmetics is a 100% cruelty-free brand and does not conduct animal testing—nor do we allow any other parties, including our suppliers, to conduct animal testing on our behalf. We're proud to be listed on PETA’s official website as a cruelty-free company. We stand by our values and vision, especially when it comes to animal testing. I hope this helps and have a great day!

Best,

Aurelie and I agree that based on Josie Maran's answers to the questions, we would want to support them. They meet the three critieria I look for when determining a company's cruelty-free status.

 Aurelie emailed them back, thanking them for their time. I wanted to share their reply to her. It's not necessary for determining cruelty-free status, however I think companies that treat their costumers with respect deserve to be acknowledged. 

Absolutely-if you have any other questions, concerns, or feedback, please don't hesitate to share. We really value customer feedback her at Josie Maran!

Please write again if I can help in any way.
Best,

Isn't that a lovely email to read? I have received quite a number of emails that are not so friendly.

I hope you found this post helpful! I certainly did. Thank you Aurelie! You are awesome & you are going to help so many with this post!

Lots of Love,

Camila

facebook | twitter | instagram

Tarte bought by Kose || Are they still Cruelty-Free?

Hey guys.

If you don't know by now, I'm sad to say, that tarte has been bought by Kose. Kose is a Japanese brand. I'd never heard of them before and what I do know is from Logical Harmony's post. Please read that blog post!

By the way, if you've never checked out Logical Harmony, which was started by Tashina, you MUST. (I'm sure you guys have).

tarte made it official on their facebook page.

To all of our tartelettes: As you may have heard, tarte has recently been acquired by Japanese company KOSÉ. It’s truly been an amazing ride, from the little venture Maureen Kelly started in her bedroom 15 years ago to the global powerhouse we’re privileged to join. Our vision has always been to create beauty products that are ‘healthy treats for your skin,’ foster the highest level of customer service and give back to the community and the environment. By joining the KOSÉ family and adding to that rich portfolio, we can build on what we’ve already accomplished with powerful products and explore expanding the tarte brand in new and exciting countries. And rest assured, we are committed to remaining a cruelty-free brand and will not test on animals. Maureen will stay on as the CEO and looks forward to continuing a lasting relationship with our tartelettes.
xo, the tarte team!

As for HumanelyChic, I will no longer consider tarte a CF company and will remove them from my CF list.

This is very disappointing news! :( I'm sorry for all of you that have loved tarte for years.

Lots of Love,
Camila

Nature's Better Body || Animal Testing Inquiry

Hey guys! I received an email, a month or so ago from a representative of Nature's Better Body. They wanted to send me samples of one of their products to review.

However, I had never heard of their company before. Therefore, I inquired about their animal testing policy, using the format I use to contact all companies.

I would like to work with Nature's Better Body, but first I would need you to answer questions (provided below). Once, I determine if Nature's Better Body meets the criteria I look for determining a company's cruelty-free status, then we can discuss my reviewing your product. Thanks for thinking of me.

1. Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals? 

2. Do you test ingredients or products on animals through a 3rd party? If your answer is no, how do you ensure that your manufacturers do not test?  

3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals? 

4. Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals? 

5. Do you have a parent company? If so who are they?  

6. Do you/your parent company currently or have plans to market and sell your products in the Chinese market, which requires animal testing by law to sell in that country? 

7. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source?  

8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?

I received a reply, a couple of days later.

1. Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals? We never test on animals 

2. Do you test ingredients or products on animals through a 3rd party? If your answer is no, how do you ensure that your manufacturers do not test? No, all of our products are designed and made in Los Angeles in our own facility.  We test our products with our family and friends exclusively. 

3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals? No 

4. Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals? No 

5. Do you have a parent company? If so who are they? No 

6. Do you/your parent company currently or have plans to market and sell your products in the Chinese market, which requires animal testing by law to sell in that country? No 

7. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source? We do not use either of these ingredients in our products. 

8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase? Our eye cream is currently our only product, we will be releasing more soon. 

As you can tell, they meet the criteria I look for when determining a company's CF status.

I rarely get emails from companies seeking to send me products to review. Which doesn't bother me (sure it'd be nice) because I started this blog to share information and meet people who had similar interests, not to get 'stuff' out of it. I'm excited to be working with Nature's Better Body!

Leave me any feedback you'd like!

Lots of Love,

Camila

facebook | twitter | instagram