Final Update UrbanDecay

Hey guys. So I emailed UrbanDecay on Friday and received a reply today.

(This is the message I sent them)
"To whom it may concern,

I have recently learned that this company has been bought by industry giants L'oreal. L'oreal is not 100% cruelty-free and I am afraid your policy will change because of this fact. I believe the consumer has the right to know whether a company test on animals. Please respond as soon as possible. I will be sharing any correspondence I receive on: [this blog) . 

-Camila Alvarez "

(This is what I received in reply direct from UrbanDecay)

"Hello,

We want to reassure our customers that although our ownership is changing, our principles have not. L'Oreal is the industry leader in finding alternatives to animal testing. We're excited to have a partner who has made and continues to make important changes in our industry.

Sincerely,

Team UD"

So there you go.

Like I mentioned before I do not support company's who has a parent company that test on animals. I do not support Burt's Bees and Maybelline, Revlon, Mac, etc. I will not be purchasing anything from UrbanDecay and hope this is the last time I type their name on my blog.

I am really curious on your opinion. Let me know.

-Camila Alvarez

UrbanDecay

Hey guys. 

So I've been investigating the whole L'oreal is buying out UrbanDecay ordeal and here is what I know so far. 

I looked all over the web and could not find an official press release statement from either UrbanDecay or L'oreal. I did however find a a website phyrra.net , where Phyrra posted her correspondence with UrbanDecay. (Please go click the link to read the original document). 

“As for the sale, we want to reassure our customers/fans that although our ownership is changing, our principles have not. L’Oreal is the industry leader in finding alternatives to animal testing. We’re excited to have a partner who has made and continues to make important changes in our industry. Thank you again.”

So what do I think about this entire thing?

      Honestly, I am so disappointed it makes me almost feel sick to my stomach. 

      Especially, when you are just beginning to replace the items in your makeup collection with cruelty-free. It's not just the convenience of companies like UrbanDecay, it is also the hope they give you about the future of the beauty industry. The fact that these companies can produce high-quality pigments: eyeshadows, lipsticks, lip-glosses; foundations in the fairest of ivory to the deepest of ebony without having to resort to the torture of innocent voice-less creatures. 

       I feel sick to my stomach because I feel that hope I have, not that it has been deminished, but it has been bruised. Meanwhile, it makes me more determined to boycott and educate people about these companies. 

   However, urge you to tell companies lie tarte, ELF, NYX, Wet N' Wild, etc... to stay strong in their animal testing policies. Basically, to let them know that we, the consumers, are out there and demand cruelty-free high-quality products. 

      As for me. I do not have a UrbanDecay product and now will never own one. I would never support a company that would change their moral values in a second for $350 million dollars.

-Camila Alvarez 

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

Maybelline

Hey guys! 
I tried contacting Maybelline. They only allow you to ask one question at a time. This was on their Q & A page. I would like to share it:
Read it for yourself: Maybelline Q & A

"ANIMAL TESTING POLICY.The safety of our consumers is our highest priority at Maybelline, a division of L'Oréal USA, Inc. Our products and ingredients undergo extensive screening so that consumers may purchase and use our products with complete confidence.All the brands of the L'Oréal Group are in full compliance with the requirements for safety in the more than 130 countries in which our products are sold, as well as with FDA regulations and the European Union Cosmetic Directive.L’Oreal is a leader in developing alternative methods to animal testing with the ultimate goal of eliminating all animal testing completely. In 1989, L’Oreal voluntarily stopped using animal testing for the evaluation of its entire range of finished products. The company has invested $800 million over the last 25 years to develop innovative, alternative methods to animal testing, particularly in the area of reconstructed tissue development. We are totally committed to a future without tests on animals.
To learn more about L’Oreal’s work in the area of alternative methods to animal testing, please visit our Sustainability website at http://www.sustainabledevelopment.loreal.com/research-innovation/focus-on-predictive-evaluation/a-new-generation-of-predictive-evaluation-methods.aspx"

     I feel that Maybelline is trying to excuse their unethical behavior by stating that they wish for "a future without tests on animals". Besides that, I feel like this answer is filled with a bunch of unrelated information. These companies try to set themselves up as the good guys when they are as inhumane as humanity can get.
      
       I want to start a cruelty-free list on my blog. I need to gather more information to put together a well rounded list. For now, add Burt's Bees and Maybelline and some others that test on animals, but without evidence I won't add them to my list yet. 

Feel free to comment.

Camila A.