Ulta Haul | Vlog

Something very different. Hope you like it :D
I've had this channel for a few months now. I didn't know what to film and also I don't have an editing system. Which makes it more difficult. It's not the best quality. But it's a start. Check it out if you'd like & subscribe!

Benefit Cosmetics | Animal Testing Inquiry

UPDATE: A lot of you are letting me know (in the comments) that benefit sells in China. Which in itself tells us that animal testing has occurred. I will not be supporting them! Check out their site. 

Hey guys!

I contacted Benefit some time in December. I got a reply from them. I stalled in sharing it because I found it rather vague. However, I thought you'd like to read it and I would also share my thoughts. 

I emailed them using the same format I always use. 

This was their reply:

Hi Camila,
Benefit does not test our cosmetic products on animals. When selecting the ingredients to be used in our cosmetic products, Benefit requires raw material suppliers to provide safety information based on scientifically accepted alternative testing methods that meet international safety standards and regulations. Benefit products must meet both consumers’ needs and consumer safety, while respecting animal life. Benefit continues to strongly support & favor alternative testing and is committed to following all animal testing laws and regulations in order to ensure our products’ safety for the end consumer. 

First of all, they did not address all of my questions. Secondly, as you can tell (I'm sure), the part I've bolded is the definition of vague. They claim to use alternatives to animal testing, but also follow "animal testing laws and regulations". I don't want to speculate too much, but I have a bad feeling about this. I certainly would not purchase from them at this time. I will try to contact them again, asking them to be more specific. I will keep you guys updated. 

Lots of Love,

Camila

What's in My Makeup Bag? | Mini Review

Hey guys. This post is purely, spur of the moment. I was sitting here, thinking up ideas for this blog and decided to talk about the things I carry in my tiny makeup bag. It's a mixture of new products I'm testing out and my "must haves".

I will be featuring just 4 of the products in my bag. If I was to talk about all of them, this post would be more like an essay. I will just go ahead & list of what I have here:

1. wet n wild Coverall Pressed Powder 

2.Real Techniques: i. contour brush, ii.base shadow brush, iii. brow brush

3. Physicians Formula: Organic wear Tinted Moisturizer in Natural to Tan

4. wet n wild's Take on the Day Eyeshadow primer (from Fergie's line)

5. wet n wild's Mega Liner in Black

6.  Milani Color Statement Lipliner: True Instant Color in 02 TRUE RED

7.  Emani's Brow & Liner, Coco-brow trio 

* I have a review on this product, click link if you're interested! 

I do carry a lip-balm. I have the lemon EOS one but because my makeup bag is small I keep it in another pocket of my backpack and forgot to include it. :P

1. wet n wild" coverall Pressed Powder 
I usually use tinted moisturizers and it gives me just enough extra coverage. It claims to be an "all day wear" product, however, I do find myself having to reapply it at least once, through out the day. It also claims to "reduce the appearance of wrinkles...", I'm sure about that, but I will say it makes my skin look soft. I find it a very close dupe for the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, it gives me that same look and feel. (Which I'd used in the past).

2. Physicians Formula: Organic Wear Tinted Moisturizer in Natural to Tan
This one is new and so far I really like it. My skin is far from perfect and I find this provides me with enough coverage to even out my skin tone. Does it erase my spots and/or does it conceal my under-eye circles? No, I would still use a concealer for that. It will only give you a light coverage, so if you're looking for a product like that, I recommend you give it a try. It also has SPF 15. Also, it only comes in two color selections. I find this color a tiny bit light for my complexion. However, that might be because of the SPF. 

3. Wet N' Wild: Take on the Day Eyeshadow Primer:

I am so pleased with this product. I've seen a couple of reviews on Fergie's line for WNW and so I thought about picking up this very carefully. I figured, since I don't have many eyeshadow primers I'd give this one a go & I'm so glad I did. I can't speak about the rest of Fergie's line but I'm super impressed with this primer. You need just the smallest dot amount to get your shadow to last. I literally mean, tiny amount. This has helped my liner (the one featured here) maintain its crisp-line and it DOES NOT flake or smudge on me at all! 

4. Milani Color Statement Lip liner: True Instant Color in 02 TRUE RED

It's beyond smooth! I didn't know what to expect. When I think of other liners available in the drug-store I think: "drying, hard to apply, sheer... "First this is a beautiful red, it's not overly orangey (which don't get me wrong, I like) or too fuchsia it's, imagine that, a true red color. It glides on like butter and will not move! I want to pick up more Milani products. 

I hope this post wasn't too long & fun to read! I'm trying new content here & I really hope you guys like it! 

Lots of Love,

Camila

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essence beauty | Two types of animal testing & did the EU really ban animal testing?!

Hey guys!

I'm sure you've either heard of Essence makeup or seen their products in Ulta stores. They are a drug store priced cosmetics company. I've seen a couple of cruelty-free beauty blogger talk about them, as I'm sure you might have.

SIDENOTE: I encourage you to reach out and email companies for yourselves. I don’t want my blog to me some kind of authority or definite sawyer of which companies are cruelty-free. I put my list out there because that is the list I, personally, use when shopping. Even if I didn’t have this blog I would still use my list, LeapingBunny’s, PETA’s, VeggieBeauty’s as resources. Hopefully, you understand where I’m coming from.

I had emailed them previously, maybe three or four times. I didn’t receive a reply for months. Maybe a month ago I received a reply. I learned a lot about essence as a company that I didn’t know before. (Which really re-enforces the importance of researching the companies you choose to support).

I emailed them using the format I always use.

This is what I received from essence:

Dear Camila,
thank you for the interest in our products and sorry for the delay. We are pleased to answer your question. Yes, it is true that we do not test our products on animals.
Since the autumn of 1998, animal testing for decorative or pampering cosmetic end-products is no longer permitted. Germany is leading the way in Europe with this legislation. We can assure you that cosnova neither conducts testing on animals, nor commissions it to any third parties – not in Germany or anywhere else in the world. We also strongly disapprove of testing on animals with end-products. This is also one of the criteria for the selection of cosnova suppliers as we need to ensure that their products are also produced without testing on animals. Our suppliers need to sign contracts in which they ensure not to do animal test.

Furthermore we do only use substances that conform with the European and International (f.e. FDA) Cosmetic Law and therefore their riskiness has been estimated a long time ago and is considered as safe. According to the use of palm oil or carnauba wax:
Yes, we do use these ingredients within different essence products of our actual product range. Because of the broad spectrum of our product range it is not possible to verify every plant ingredient’s origin for criteria of sustainability.
According to vegan products:
When producing our decorative products we do not use any ingredients directly derived from animals, such as placenta extracts or animal fat. We do, however, use materials such as beeswax, silk, or lanolin (wool fat from sheep) and the natural dye cochenille (CI 75470) which are indeed animal components (animal by-products), strictly speaking. Ingredients or raw materials from animals like pig, cattle, sheep or goat are not used in any of the products, except ingredients as mentioned before like lanolin or beeswax. The goods have passed the quality control and comply with our high standards and the directives of the World Health Organization.
But due to the nature and origin of single product components we do not consider our products as „vegan”. We are sorry, but it is not possible to send a summary of listed “vegan” products. But if there are single products you are interested in, we can check for the use of ingredients called animal by-products.

We hope we have been able to clarify this issue for you and that you will continue to have lots of fun with our products.

Should you have any further questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us again at any time.

Kind regards,
Your essence Team

That’s a lot of information, which is great but it also requires further examination. I first have to email cosnova and ask about their companies and their cruelty-free status, standards, etc. You will notice, they did not address the China question. (China mandates animal testing for cosmetic products that are sold there). I emailed them again! Inquiring about it!

To Whomever it May Concern:
I am doing research on animal testing, and I need to verify a few key points about your company. Please be sure to answer each question.
1. How many companies does Cosnova own?
2. How does cosnova ensure their raw ingredients are not tested on animals?

3. Does cosnova sell in the Chinese market? Where animal testing is required by law.

Thank you so much! Any reply I receive will he shared on humanelychic.blogspot.com, which is my private blog. HumanelyChic currently has over 39,000 views!!
-Camila

This was their reply:

Dear Camila,


Thank you for your message. We would like to provide you with some general information regarding your enquiry about animal testing:
Since the autumn of 1998, animal testing for decorative or pampering cosmetic end-products is no longer permitted. Germany is leading the way in Europe with this legislation. We can assure you that cosnova neither conducts testing on animals, nor commissions it to any third parties – not in Germany or anywhere else in the world. We also strongly disapprove of testing on animals with end-products. This is also one of the criteria for the selection of cosnova suppliers as we need to ensure that their products are also produced without testing on animals.

To guarantee the safety of our products, we are only allowed to use completely harmless ingredients (just like other manufacturers).

One must therefore differentiate between two types of testing on animals. Animal testing to prove the effectiveness of cosmetics can be avoided as there are now sufficiently adequate alternative methods. However, animal testing to ascertain the so-called “toxicological profile” of ingredients are indispensible and mandatory until further notice.

This safety data is required by the German legislation for chemicals; it must be determined for all new raw materials – whether synthetic or natural. It must be established how dangerous a pure substance is in order to implement the necessary safety precautions during manufacture and processing of the materials.
There are no exceptions for this safety evaluation, all manufacturers and importers in the EU must conduct these tests. Unfortunately, this can mean, for example, that an animal test may have taken place to test a specific ingredient twenty or thirty years ago.
The term “not tested on animals” is only legally allowed if no testing has ever taken place on the finished products as well as all of the ingredients. This is never actually the case.

We are not on the so-called “positive list” of the German Animal Protection Association (Deutschen Tierschutzbund). The companies listed there have committed to only using ingredients for which no animal testing has been conducted in the past 25 years, which means that the raw materials are extremely old. In the field of decorative cosmetics this is very unrealistic because we aim to offer our consumers new, innovative and better products and some ingredients are therefore replaced with new and improved versions, which are, for example, kinder to your skin. This is the reason you will find practically no producers of decorative cosmetics on this list.

We hope we have been able to clarify this issue for you and that you will continue to have lots of fun with our products.

Should you have any further questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us again at any time.
Best regards,

cosnova GmbH

I'm really confused about the whole "two-types of animal testing" situation. I makes me weary about EU's ban on animal testing because if the ban only applies to "effectiveness of cosmetics" testing, that would imply that some type of animal testing is still legal. These are just my thoughts/conclusions based on the content of this email.I am just as confused about this email as you are/might be!

For now we know -though, they did not state it bluntly- that cosnova is associated and/or conducts animal testing for their "new ingredient" products. Seeing as cosnova is essence's parent company I cannot support them! (I will be adding them to my Non-cruelty-free list.)

This was a long and complicated process and I still have questions! I encourage you to help me research this and to leave me feedback!! Thanks so much for reading this and choosing cruelty-free companies. It DOES make a difference!


Lots of Love,

Camila

Sleek MakeUp | Cruelty-Free?

Hey guys.
If you've been following my blog from the beginning, you will know that I've spent the last year trying, and trying, and trying to get a reply from Sleek Makeup. I've vented loads!

The first time I tried to contact them I couldn't even find a contact email, I did find a number but since I live in the US (and am a college student) I didn't want to pay the rate. (Sidenote: a reader who lives in the UK actually emailed me saying she called the number listed and they didn't reply, etc.) I therefore, decided to shoot them a message via my private facebook page. Again I waited....no reply for 5+ months. One day I finally got a message from them saying to email my question(s) to this email: pr@sleekmakeup.com.

(I don't share the company's email because, usually, if you want to contact a company you can google it or find it on their website, it's not exactly private information. However, seeing as it took a while to even find Sleek's contact information I wanted to share it so EVERYONE who is considering buying from them or has bought from them can email them and flood them with their question(s). You have a right to email, ask questions, and hear back from a company. )

Again, I waited 2 more months.

Eventually, they replied! Which was exciting except they avoided the China question.  So I emailed them again. I used the format I always use.

Finally, I got the comprehensive email I was looking for and here it is for you to see:

Hello Camilla,

Thank you for your for contacting Sleek MakeUp’s with your query. We would like to take this opportunity to address the points raised in your email to us. Sleek Makeup is a privately owned family business. When sourcing manufacturers make a conscious decision to work with companies who do not test on animals. We do not test any ingredients or finished products on animals nor are we affiliated with any third party that test on animals. 

Sleek MakeUP is currently sold worldwide which does not exclude China. No Sleek MakeUP products contain Palm Oil. However our hide It Concealer, Kajal, Eye Drama, Magnitude Mascara and Base Duo Kit contain carnauba wax that has been sourced responsibly. In regards to our products that are suitable for Vegans, we have attached a spread sheet that details which specific products are suitable. We hope this addresses all the points you have raised. If you have any further queries, do not hesitate to contact us. Kind 

RegardsCustomer Services

As you can see, they did not meet my criteria for determining cruelty-free status; therefore, I won't be adding them to my list. (1) Compliant parent company, if they have one. (2) Cruelty-free manufacturers of ingredients. (3) Not sold in China.  (To read my criteria in detail and to learn the "whys" click here).

If I'm honest, I was expecting this. Why else would it take them, close to a year to reply? At least now we can all stop guessing and can cross them off our list. I am disappointed, because seeing as they are a European brand and Europe has banned animal testing, I was hoping this correspondence might have been different. I don't understand how they are allowed to sell in a country that mandates animal testing. I'm not a lawyer so I'm not sure about the legality. I am going to try to find out why.

I sorry if this is a bummer! However, knowledge is power and now you (& I) can find an alternative company to support with our money.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Feel free to share how you feel about this email! Leave me feedback!!

Lots of Love,
Camila

UPDATE: MakeUp Geek | My decision : cruelty-free?

UPDATE!!!!(please read before you read the article below) 

I have received an email from a representative from Sugarpill. He wanted me to correct my information about their cruelty-free status. I do not have an official post about Sugarpill. He was referring to my post on MakeUp Geek.
Please click this link to see their PETA certification. I was surprised to learn that most of their products are vegan. They also have won a Libby award.

I have emailed said representative back, asking the questions I always ask.

Lots of Love,
Camila

Hey guys.
Read this first! If you don't you'll be confused with this post.

I've thought about MakeUp Geek for a few days now. I was honestly really confused about my feelings, but at last I have come to a conclusion.

I have decided to add them to my cruelty-free list.

This is my reasoning:

I know I always talk about (type- about?) not supporting a company that claims to be 'cruelty-free', when it's parent company conducts animal testing. I think it's wrong because you don't know where your money is going.

I held tight to this way of thinking, while I was considering what to do with MakeUp Geek. However, if I'm honest you can't really tie that way of thinking with MUG's situation. It's not like they have a non-compliant parent company, which you would be supporting if you purchased from them. They do however sale brands that PETA has not found compliant: Palladio & Sugarpill.

However, think about this for a second.

Even when you buy from a 100% cruelty-free, where does your money go?
A good amount goes into manufacturing the product. Meanwhile, another chunk goes to pay for factory workers, company executives, supervisors, the girls that sell them at the counter, etc. You can't be sure that those people only buy cruelty-free cosmetics. Do you see where I'm going with this? You can do the best you can do but at some point, you have to accept that you are no longer in control.

I think of my blog as a small fairy-light in this world. Which brings light to a very HUGE issue. This light can help others see and might even inspire others to turn on their "fairy-light". (I love fairy-lights, so I felt they would make a good metaphor).

I'm honestly scared some of you might think of me as being compromising on this situation. However, let your conscious be your guide. I always give my opinion about whatever I share on here, but that's just it-it's my opinion.

I will make it clear on my Cruelty-Free list that MUG sells Palladio & Sugarpill.

I hope you're not discouraged! Keep buying cruelty-free & keep boycotting companies that sell in China or have non-compliant parent companies! I know I will!

Lots of Love,

Camila

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Makeup Geek | Animal Testing Policy Information

**Update (November 22,2013):
I have received an email from a Sugar Pill representative. He assures me that SugarPill is PETA certified. In fact here is a link so you can see. In fact the majority of their products are vegan. I have emailed them back, asking the questions I always ask companies. 


UPDATE(August 14, 2014): I have decided to add them to my cruelty-free list. Click here to read my reasons why. 

Hey guys!

I contacted MakeUpGeek a week ago. If you've never heard of this company, it was started by Marlena who actually makes YouTube videos. Their eyeshadows have been compared (some say they're better) to MACs. Which doesn't really mean anything to me -I've never tried MAC nor do I ever plan to. However, seeing as I am a makeup junkie, but first an animal lover, I of course wanted to check out their cruelty-free policy.

Seeing as I have received a couple of new followers this past month. I wanted to explain how I go about emailing a company. I always use this format (which I updated recently). I will sometimes -if I'm lucky- receive a reply within the week. Other times, I never receive a reply. Which is really unfortunate!! That's why I encourage you to email companies as well! Maybe one of us gets lucky!

Anyways. This is what I receive from MUG:

Hi there,
Thanks for contacting us.
The entire Makeup Geek product line is cruelty free. We don't do any testing on animals. Our lab and their ingredient supplier don't test on animals.
All of our products are vegan except for the lipsticks (they contain beeswax) and these eyeshadows: Bitten. Country Girl, Cupcake, Drama Queen, Mango Tango, Razzleberry, Twilight, Unexpected, Unicorn, and Simply Marlena (they contain carmine).
We have actually discussed with PETA and they were ok to give us a certification, the reason they did not is that we resell Palladio and **Sugarpill products that are not PETA certified, but for MUG products we are compliant with PETA requirements.
We don't have a parent company and are not doing business within China.
Hope that answers your questions!
the MUG team

**Please scroll up to read update!!! 


As you can see they didn't answer question # 7, which says: "Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source?"

(P.S. I'm trying to implement this question more in my correspondences. I have received a couple of emails from you guys asking me to do so. I'm still reading up on palm oil and its effect on orangutan in Indonesia, our Amazon, and Malaysia . So please be patient. I just do the best I can :D 

Therefore, I emailed them again asking them to please address this question. 
I received this reply, literally in a couple of minutes:

Hi
There is no palm oil in our lipsticks (and obviously not in our eyeshadows either).
Best regards,
the MUG team

Well that's pretty self-explanatory. :P

So let's review:  

I really appreciate their honesty! From the looks of it they meet the criteria I look for when determining a company's cruelty-free status.
(1) They do not test their products on animals nor do their suppliers.
(2) They do not have a parent company. So we don't have to look into another company's cruelty-free policy to completely determine their status. If you are new: I do not support a company whose parent company does not comply to a cruelty-free status. Such as in the case of Burt's Bees(Owned by Clorox) or UrbanDecay (Owned by L'oreal).
(3) They do not sell in China.

However, they do make it clear that on their site they sell Palladio and Sugarpill products. They explain that PETA did not certify them because those two companies don't meet PETA's requirements.
I don't know anything, in terms of animal testing- about Palladio or Sugarpill. The fact that PETA didn't want to certify them makes me feel really uneasy.

I don't know how to feel about MUG. You guys know I do not support a company, whose parent company does not comply with a cruelty-free, animal friendly policy. I always say that you have no way of knowing where that money is going! It might be funding animal testing. Which, ugh is just so disgusting to me. Just thinking about it makes me feel saddened and angry.

I honestly couldn't tell you if I'd purchase from them. At least not now. I think you have to let your conscious be your guide for this one guys.

I fear that I might be coming off as either compromising or too "hard". These thoughts bother me, but my hope with all blog is to be transparent. These are my honest feelings.

I won't be adding them to my cruelty-free list right away. I need to think about this one & I would REALLY appreciate your opinions and feedback! I'm always honest with you all so PLEASE be honest with me. What do you think?! HELP!

Until Next Time, 

Camila 

P.S. HELP! 

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UPDATE: theBalm | Leaping Bunny

Hey guys!
Do you guys remember my post of theBalm? I was excited to learn that they are cruelty-free! However, I really urged them to become certified by either PETA or LeapingBunny. Which, I'm sure you can agree, would make shopping SOO much easier! Well, I have exciting news!!

Today, I emailed them urging them to take a look at the comments of that post! THis is what I said:

Hello [I've omitted any names],I emailed you back in March about your cruelty-free status. Being an animal lover, I was so thrilled to find that theBalm is cruelty-free! I even wrote an article on my blog. I have emailed you guys before urging you to become accredited by PETA or leapingbunny. I would like you to take a look at my article and read the comments. You will find that when a company is accredited it makes it soooo much easier to shop. I'm not the only one who thinks so. I love your company! Especially because you stand up for the furry ones, but not everyone knows that. Please consider it. 

They emailed me back! Take a look for yourself:

Hi Camila, Thank you for reaching out again!  We completely understand you concerns and are working to become part of the Leaping Bunning list. If I can help answer any further questions, please let me know.

How exciting is this!!!???? I am beyond thrilled! This is a huge milestone! I can't wait to hear back from them once (fingers crossed) they become certified. Which, like I've mentioned before, just because a company is not on a list it DOES NOT mean they aren't cruelty-free. However, it does make life easier for the cruelty-free community! 

Lots of Love,

Camila 

I was Nominated for an Award :)

Hey guys.
I'm so excited and extremely humbled to be nominated by Diary of a Disney Diva for a Liebster Award. Thank you!!!!!  The Liebster Award is for new bloggers with under 200 followers. And I'm sure you would agree I fall into that category :) Its an awesome opportunity to help relatively unknown amazing wonderful bloggers get more exposure. 

Here are the rules:

1. If you are nominated for the award, post it up on your blog and thank other person who awarded you.

2. In the post let everyone know 11 facts about yourself.

3. Answer the 11 questions your nominee has asked you.

4. Choose 11 other bloggers with under 200 followers to nominate (not the person who nominated you), link to their blog and make sure you let them know they are nominated.

5. Choose 11 questions for your nominees to answer.

6. The nominees do their bit and the Liebster love keeps going round and round.

So here are my 11 facts:

1. While I live in the USA, I was born in Colombia. 
2. My favorite color is yellow.
3. I'm a vegetarian. I can't see myself as a vegan, because I like cheese too much!!! I put cheese on cheese!
4. When I lock a door, lets say my bathroom door, I will go back at least three times and twist the door knob, even though, I know it's locked. It's one of the few OCD compulsions I have. 
5. I have lived so close to DisneyLand that from my balcony I could see the fireworks every night. 
6. I have two dogs, Scraffy & Bruno. If I never find "the one" I'll become a crazy dog lady and have like 20 + dogs. I think that sounds pretty good for a plan B. Right? 
7. I've never had my own room :( 
8. I don't know how, but i swear I was suppose to be left handed! I don't know why, but I just know!
9. I watch YouTube videos more than TV. 
10. I'm 18 and cannot drive :( And I live in California where it is basically a law to drive. 
11. I hate any kind of injustice with a passion!! 
(Hopefully, you don't think I'm crazy after reading that.) 

 Questions to answer from Loz:

1. What is your favorite city?
-I haven't been to, too many cities unfortunately :( But from the famous ones I have been to I have to say LA, the Beverly Hills area. 

2. What is your favorite manicure that someone else has done?
-I'm not just saying this because Robyn nominated me, but I truly adore her look form "Dainty China Print Nails." I seriously need it in my life!!!!!! 

3. What is your favorite manicure that you have done?
-My mind is going blank, I'm sure later I'll think of something and be like "dang!!" I love patterns so anything like what I mentioned before. I love an orange-red base with crisp white polka dots! Makes me happy just thinking about it!!!

4. What is your favorite film?
-Definitely Pride & Prejudice, the version with Keira Knightly! I cannot express how much I adore everything about that movie! I've watched it in English (obs), Spanish, French( I cannot speak French), and with the Director's Commentary. 

5. WHat is your favorite holiday?
Christmas!!! With no doubt in my mind!!! I adore everything about Christmas!!! 

6. What is your favorite book?
-Such a tough question!!! I love to read! Wish I could do it more often!! I'd probably say Pride & Prejudice, but since I already mentioned good 'ol P&P; I'd feel bad if I didn't mention my second favorite book. Probably the Hunger Games Series. I know that is a random combination. 

7. What is your favorite Disney character?
- Again, such a tough question!!! Probably, Ariel from the Little Mermaid!!!! Yup!

8. What would your last meal be?
-Probably the Tom Yum Gai (Thai Hot & Sour Chicken Soup). Except, instead of chicken Tofu. <3

9. What is your favorite Christmas song?
-WHY? Such a hard question. I'm going to have to go with Sleigh Bells. <3 I know later I'll change my mind!

10. What is your favorite Disney film?
-This was a hard question!! I have to go with The Little Mermaid. 

11. What is your favorite nail polish brand?
-This is a tough question, I usually just buy cheap nail polish that is also cruelty-free. The one on the more expensive side I really enjoy is Orly. :) 

Time to mention the wonderful person I'm nominating!!!! I know I'm suppose to nominate 11 people, but I'm sorta new to the blogging business and don't really have too many blogs I follow. I'm nominating one of my two wonderful followers. 

amylwil from She Loves. She is just amazing!

1. Amylwil from She Loves


My 11 questions:

1. What is your favorite color?
2. What languages do you speak?
3.Have you ever lived in another country, other than your native country?
4. What is your favorite book? And why?
5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
6. Who's your celebrity crush?
7. From famous people who have passed on, who would you choose to go on a date (does not have to be romantic) just to chat about their life?
8. What is your favorite candy/sweet?
9. Are you a dog person or cat person? 
10. What is your favorite cruelty-free makeup line?
11. Who is your favorite Youtube Makeup Guru? and Why? I you don't have one, who inspires you in the aspect of beauty & fashion?

I want to thank Robyn once again for being so lovely and nominating me!! <3

-Camila <3

L'oreal Update

Hey guys.

I'm in the process of contacting L'oreal, obviously, about their animal testing policy. Although, I have my suspicions about this company, I still feel the need to make it official. I am aware that L'oreal is sold in China. If you are new to the world of cruelty-free cosmetics; China requires any cosmetic company (and probably other non-beauty related companies) to conduct animal testing before selling in the country.

I have a good feeling about what I will hear back from L'oreal. Make of that what you will ;).

With the whole UrbanDecay disaster, I felt my research was incomplete. Although, my sources are highly credible, I still feel the need to provide you with my personal correspondence and the information I have gathered. If all the information I provided you was dependent on other resources, what would be the point of this blog?

Even though it takes longer to due because most companies take about 2-3 weeks to reply or some simply never reply, I feel the need to make it official. I'm sure you would agree. It makes me credible because I'm not just throwing out my own opinions or premonitions about a company, there is actual prove which helps you make your decision.

If I wanted, I could just take what I think I know and spurt out my opinions. Which, trust me I greatly enjoy doing, however I'm sure you appreciate the professionalism I take when it comes to the subject of animal testing. I take it very seriously and therefore want to make sure all my research is objective. Meanwhile, you can look forward to my very subjective opinions ONCE I have the prove to back them up.

I'm going to list all the companies, according to L'Oreal's website. 

L'oreal Paris

Garnier

Maybelline New York

Softsheen, Carson

CCB Paris

Essie

L'oreal Professionnel

Kerastase

Matrix

Pureology

Shu Uemura Art of Hair

Keraskin Esthetics

Essie

Lancome

Biotherm

Helena Rubinstein

Shu Uemura

Giorgio Armani

Ralph Lauren

Cacharel

Viktor & Rolf

Diesel

YSL Beaute

Maison Martin Margiela

Stella McCartney

YUE SAI

Vichy

La Roche Posay

inneov

Skinceuticals

Sanoflore

Roger&Gallet

The Body Shop

I do NOT support companies who claim to be cruelty-free but whose parent companies test on animals and sell in China. If a company falls under another company that conducts any type of animal testing, THAT COMPANY IS NOT CRUELTY-FREE. An example of that would be Burt's Bees, which is owned by Clorox. 

So if you are in the process of switching to 100% cruelty-free products and are unsure of L'oreal. I would highly suggest you hold off on purchasing any of their products for now. At least that is what I have done with any company I have been unsure of. 

As for now, I will cite L'Oreal's  FAQ page and be back shortly with a post dedicated to that. Once, I hear back from them I will let you know! 

If you need any help let me know in the comments or email me at ca.alva@yahoo.com . Don't hesitate, I really would love to help you in any way. Also, know that I understand how frustrating it can be to go through this process, but always remember why your doing it. For those innocent little creatures who deserve to be loved not poked and harassed 24/7. 

-Camila Alvarez 

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

Real Techniques

Hey guys.

I have to be frank. I received this correspondence sometime in October. October 24th  actually. I honestly have no idea why I didn't talk about it. Might of been that I was busy with a midterm or something of that nature. Regardless, here it is. And being that I am a huge fan of the Pixiwoos sisters on YouTube I am so excited and not disappointed. This brand carries synthetic make up brushes. Read for yourself. 

"Dear Camila,Real Techniques does not subscribe to animal testing on our finished products or individual ingredients. With today’s huge bank of safety-tested ingredients and several alternative methods to animal testing available, we find it unnecessary to conduct animal safety studies on our products or ingredients. In those cases where chemicals may have never undergone safety screening, and we believe there is a reasonable basis to question the safety of such an ingredient, we take two paths. First and foremost, we try to avoid the use of such an ingredient. In some instances where the ingredient is vital to the performance of the product, we conduct other types of laboratory testing, but do not conduct testing on animals.It remains our goal to provide quality, safe, and environmentally and socially responsible products for you and your family.The FDA does not have any regulations for items which are classified as “vegan.” The term “vegan” refers to food items, and our products do not fall into that category. We do consider our products earth-friendly and we do have very natural components, such as: 100% cruelty-free synthetic Taklon bristles. We hope that you decide to purchase Real Techniques to complete your makeup looks.Thank you for your interest!All our best,Real Techniques"

     Similar to Sonia Kashuk's email, they give details to their alternative testing methods. They also state that they consider animal testing "unnecessary". Not one correspondence I've received from any other company, regardless of whether they do or do not test on animals have given a statement close to that one. It truly shows this companies ethics. 

     I'm ecstatic!! I wish that every reply I received from a cosmetic company was this honest and clear. Real Techniques gets right to the point. The first sentence is "Real Techniques does not subscribe to animal testing...." I does not get more honest than that. In fact, the entire tone of that email is friendly. 

     Not only do I recommend checking out this brand but I also recommend checking out the Pixiwoo's YouTube channel. They are Sam Chapman and Nic Haste. They are beautiful and so talented. 

     I'm planning to buy the core collection and posting a receive. Let me know if that is something you'd be interested in. Also, just a comment would be fun. I haven't received a comment yet :( *wink wink* *Hint hint* 

     Lot's of love and stay strong in the quest of making the world a little bit of a better place, with one small act of kindness each day. 

--Camila A. ☼

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 :)