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

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What's in my Bag? || 30 Day Challenge :)

Hey guys! I'm back with the 30 Day Challenge. I'm excited to be back. I have very much failed this challenge but I really want to continue with it. I like all the questions!

I'm sorry for the lack of content lately. I've had some life things pop-up recently. Nothing bad I'm lucky that it's all good news but it's also very stressful. 

So here's "Day 9", What's in Your Bag/Wallet.  

***I do have some non-CF things. They are all things I got before I went CF or gifts.  I thought of not sharing said things but I have nothing to hide. I just want to be real with you guys. 

I got this bag in a store called dd's discount. It's a store very much like a Ross or a Marshalls. 

I think it was under $15.00 bucks. 

I think it's very much perfect for summer! 

As you can tell I use this bag A LOT. 

It's SUCH a sunny day today! I really wanted to take the pictures outside! 

These are the main things inside my bag.

1. I have a makeup bag from Victoria Secret. Yes, VS is not cruelty-free. I got it as a gift from my grandma. 

2. The little purple bag with flowers was a gift from my dad's cousin who lives in Colombia.

It's from a brand called "Raquira".

3. The sunnies are Ray-Ban styled from Hello Kitty.

3. I don't usually carry a book, I have it because I was in LA yesterday. I took the train and I thought I'd be fun to start a new book on the journey. 

The book is Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin. 

As it turns out I didn't start it. LOL 

4. The wallet is actually my mom's. I "borrowed" it. LOL. I can't find a specific brand on it.

In the VS bag. I have:

1. My NYX Face Powder :( It makes me so sad looking at it. 

2. A Milani & Jordana lipstick. 

3. The Real Techniques Contour Brush. I love it for powder application. 

4. A Gospel Track!

5. A Nail File

6. My Key. That's right not Keys. KEY!

7. Eye phones

8. a random non-CF lipgloss.

9. Flash Cards 

10. A flower pin 

Inside this little bag I try to keep all my lipsticks. It's definitely too small for the job, but I don't mind.

I have a lot of elf lippies. I do have one from Revlon. I got it before I went CF. 

Here are swatches of all the lippies I found in my bag. At least the ones that are Cruelty-Free.

I really like this wallet. It's very simple. I think it's elegant. 

Here are the mountain of cards I have. I have my credit cards, my member cards, etc. Also, my ID. lol. My Face. 

Here is where I store my imaginary money. JK. I had some coins in here but they all went flying inside my purse. UGH!!!! 

Here's the book I was telling you about.

Here are things I found flying inside my bag. 

I have a few packets of honey.

A band aid from Despicable Me which my sister gave me.

A pen and a pencil.

Some eyedrops. 

A Yogurtland gift card.

Some swabs.

Some bobby-pins.

& a Flash Drive. 

A lotion from Bath ad Body Works which again I got as a gift. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. It's nothing very glamorous but it's what I carry around in there! lol I also later found a Taco Bell green sauce! It's actually really good!

Lots of Love,

Camila

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NYX Bought by L'Oreal || My Advice of How To Deal with This News ||

Hey guys. I've been absolutely DREADING having to write this post. 

On June 18, 2014 BusinessOffFashion announced L'Oreal's acquisition of NYX. 

I'm tempted to run from the very comfortable couch I'm sitting on, I really don't want to talk or write about this situation.

If you want to read the full story click on the links. I won't be going into too much details on this post. 

L'Oreal is very much infamous for their continued use of animal testing on cosmetics. They also sell in China. I do not support any company L'Oreal owns. When Urban Decay was acquired by L'Oreal in November 2012 I was absolutely disgusted and today I feel the same way. 

My Advice:

I have many NYX eyeliners, foundations, lipsticks, and other stuff that I really love. While I will not be supporting NYX anymore I will not be throwing all my stuff away. I will use them up and I will be looking for other products (which I know are out there) that will work just as well or even better. Before I went CF I had a handful of Revlon lipsticks which I loved. I was not about to throw them away and I'm glad I didn't. First, I can still wear them and I do not want waste my well earned money. Second, I have them to compare to other brands. I have found just as good and in many cases even better products made by companies that are ethical (i.e. elf, Milani, Wet n' Wild, etc). Of course, the way to proceed is up to you. 

This is a very upsetting time in the cruelty-free-beauty community but we will get through this. I always like to think of the awesome indie and smaller companies that now have an opportunity to shine. Let's look at this as a time to find another company to shower with love. 

I hope you found something to take away from this post. 

Lots of Love,

Camila

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Day 8 - 5 of my Current Goals || 30 Day Challenge

You will have to excuse me today. I am soooo tired. I haven't been this tired in a LONG time. Please excuse that this post will be cut short. 

Lots of Love,

Camila

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Day 7 - 5 of My Favorite Songs || 30 Day Challenge

I took the liberty of changing the title of Day 7.  I'm supposed to share my five favorite songs. However, I refuse to even acknowledge the possibility that anyone can only choose 5 songs to call their favorites. It is like asking a parent to choose their favorite child. Am I exaggerating? I don't think so!

1. You Really Got A Hold On Me- Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

The first time I heard this song was in a Roseanne episode. Random, but true. Her friend Bonni sings it at a BBQ and I fell in love with it. I recommend you check out her cover!

2. Say it Ain't So - Weezer

I can't exactly pin-point what I love about this one. It's a combination of everything. The lyrics, the sound, and a personal relationship I find in it.

3. Rosas - La Oreja De Van Gogh

This song is perfect for the hopeless romantic in me. It's just another love song. 

4. It's Time - Imagine Dragons

Whenever I listen to this song it brings back memories too lovely and sad to think about. 

5. In the Morning - The Coral

I have absolutely no idea why I love this song so much. I just do. 

Lots of Love,

Camila

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Day 6 - What I Fear || 30 Day Challenge

Fear. Fear is a noun, a living thing. It hangs in the air like a mist, it has a shadow, a presence, a being. It will make you it's servant. I fear many things (like many).

Age since I can remember to middle school:

This is quit embarrassing but I've always been scared of the dark. I mean what's there not to fear. Monsters....

Age 15:
I was scared of being alone. I had just moved to a new city. Literally a week before school began. It was so terrifying. I spend most of my high school career hating everything.

Age 17:
I finally made a good friend, though we are no longer close, whom I still love and who made my last year a blast.

Now:
I fear worrying about money. I hate, hate having to worry about that. I also fear not going to school. And losing my family members and losing my friends.

Though there are many things I worry about and I fear I also have a lot of faith. That if i put my life in God's hands He will work things out for the best and for His will for my life.

Lots of Love,

Camila

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P.S. I've been keeping these short. I don't want to babble on unless I have something significant to add. :)

Day 5 - My Proudest Moment(s) | 30 Day Challenge

Day 5. I'm very proud of myself for getting this far. 

Again, this is a tuff one to answer. I have a couple of things I'm extremely proud of.

1. Graduating from High School with honors.

2. Being the first in my family to go to a University. 

3. This blog.

4. Being featured in WildFire Magazine.

Sometimes it's okay to brag about yourself. To recognize your achievements and to thank those who help you get there. I say this from the bottom of my heart: thank you for making my blog successful. I don't have 5,000 followers but I'm very proud of where this blog is today.

Also for my non-blog related achievements I would like to thank God, my parents, my grandma, and my sister. 

Lots of Love,

Camila

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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

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Day 4 - Dream Job || 30 Day Challenge

As the days roll on the questions are getting so much more personal. Which is cool but also more difficult to come up with an answer. Anyway, so what is my dream job?

Age 8:

I couldn't see myself doing anything but dancing or singing. I was in love with High School Musical and knew (still know) all the dances. I forced my friends to practice everyday.

Age 12:

I wanted to be a lawyer and a doctor. 

Age 15 & 16:

An author, lawyer, and a doctor. 

Age 18:

Doctor...dancer and actress.

Age 19 going on 20:

I want to create beauty products. I want to make products that make women feel beautiful and that don't torture innocent creatures. 

I also kind of want to be a doctor. 

I'm in between these two! 

Lots of Love,

Camila

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Day 3 - My Favorite Quote || 30 Day Challenge

Hey guys.

Sorry this is up late. Well, at least for me it's late. I want to get these 30 Day Challenge posts up early. 

The reason I waited until later to post this is because I have no idea what my favorite quote is. I thought about it all day and couldn't decide. 

I think instead of having one favorite quote I have a favorite quote for how I'm feeling and certain topics. Instead of choosing something very deep and insightful, I went with this quote because it's what I've been thinking as of late. 

I live far-ish from my University. During summer I don't get to spend as much time with my friends. While that can be suck-ish and lonely I also realize I have other blessings around me. I have my wonderful parents, my annoying yet lovable sister, and my soul-mates aka my dogs. 

When I was a kid I wanted a dog. Every time I tossed a penny into a pond I wished for a puppy. Finally when I was twelve I got not a puppy but two puppies. One is named Scruffy and the other is named Bruno. They are truly a big part of my family and my family wouldn't be the same without them. 

Basically if you have a puppy, a cat, a snake (well maybe not a snake, idk I've never had a snake) go hug them. Animals are blessings. 

Lots of Love,

Camila

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