CoverGirl, Almay, Dolce and Gabbana Fragrances, Pantene, Secret, Venus, etc.. P and G companies

      I've been trying to get through most well-known "drug-store" companies. I realized, that I'm missing CoverGirl, which is probably the most well-known of them all. Therefore, I started to look into them.

      I was surprised when the 'search', in my research proved short lived. I clicked on the "Contact Us" link, located on the lower right side of the CoverGirl homepage. I was then lead to a page, with three subheading. I clicked on the first, "Email Us." Instead of going to the email use header, I decided to check out their 'frequently asked' section. ( click here, to be linked there directly). I typed in "animals".                                                                

There I found the following:

"What is CoverGirl's policy about research involving animals?

P&G, maker of CoverGirl cosmetics, does not test beauty products on animals; nor do we ask suppliers to test them on our behalf. We do not test beauty ingredients on animals, except in rare cases when needed to meet regulatory or safety obligations. For more information on our full policy, visit http://www.pg.com/en_US/sustainability/point_of_view/animal_welfare.shtml "

      I Could already tell, from the "except in rare cases...", what I would find on the link provided to the P&G website.

Note: In case you are not aware, P&G is the company behind many household care items. (i.e. Bounty,   Mr. Clean, Pampers, Dawn) (click here for the entire list). 

      I realize that on this blog, I only focus on beauty related companies. However, I'm sure most of you would appreciate knowing that P&G is also behind those companies. 

   

    I found it surprising that they are also behind, MANY cosmetic/beauty companies. Here just a few of the better known ones: Always, Head & Shoulders, Olay, Pantene, Gillette, Venus, Tampax, etc. (Click  here to see them all) 

Back to what I found on the P&G wesbite. 

"Sometimes, to ensure that materials are safe and effective, we must conduct research that involves animals. This is a last resort. We consider such research only after every other reasonable option has been exhausted. The vast majority of our tests do not use animals and our ultimate goal is to completely eliminate animal testing. P&G firmly believes that ending animal research is beneficial for consumers, animal welfare, and industry. Wherever possible, we use computer models, synthetic materials, clinical studies, published scientific studies, and comments from consumers about products they use. P&G's product lines are diverse. We sell more than 250 brands. These brands are subject to different legal/regulatory oversight. As a result, our Animal Research policy for the Health Care business is similar to, but distinct from our policy for consumer products such as cosmetics and cleaning products. We are also committed to helping pets live better and longer lives, and our nutritional research programs for pets are designed to do just that. This represents a third area in which we have a policy to guide our development of nutritional programs specifically for cats and dogs. Today, more than 99% of our safety assessments are accomplished without the use of additional safety testing with animals. We reapply existing information and make extensive use of non-animal methods to determine safety. P&G is working with many partners and lawmakers globally to continue to advance science and technology in this area. P&G is well known for leadership in developing alternatives to animal tests, investing more than $275 million and developing or adapting more than 50 alternative methods. Many of these methods are not only faster than corresponding methods using animals, they are also more predictive of environmental or health effects.We are committed to continuing our leadership in developing non-animal alternatives, and our goal is to ultimately eliminate all animal research." ( P&G.com) 

      I think it's funny, laughable you might say, how they ramble on about "[believing] that ending animal research is beneficial for consumers, animal welfare, and industry." 

      

       Yet, they keep implementing it. I don't care how many times they say "we must conduct animal testing" to ensure the safety of our costumers blah blah blah!!! I know, that the only reason they continue to conduct animal testing is because of China's policy.

       

      If you are unaware, China requires cosmetic companies to conduct animal testing before they can sell in the country. 

      

      I think, and am sure most of you will agree, that the real reason companies like P&G, Estee Lauder, L'oreal Paris, MAC, Revlon, Maybelline, etc... continue to conduct animal testing, especially since we now have so many alternatives, is the profit or $$$. 

       Like I've mentioned before. The people behind these companies are not unaware of the 1.37 billion people living in China and what that means for their pockets! (http://www.statisticbrain.com/china-country-statistics/) 

So there you have it. I can't say I'm surprised at all by this. Definitely annoyed at their attempt to keep their "saintly" image. I wonder how 'saintly' they would seem, if they allowed us to enter their torture labs. 

Let me know what you think. By either commenting below or emailing me at ca.alva@yahoo.com. 

      I've been busying trying to contact SleekMakeup, Mally, etc from my list. By the way, if you are interested in looking at the list of cruelty-free companies I've gather, I have a post of each of them with my research, click here. Or you can look at the upper-left hand corner of my blog, where I will have my list linked, as well as Leaping Bunny's list, & PETA's list. 

      I would also appreciate if you would let me know which companies you want me to research. I can't guarantee I'll be able to get back to you guys with a post in a matter of days, but I will defiantly start.  

--Camila A. ☼

Mally Beauty

April 23, 2013 UPDATE: Still haven're received a formal reply from Mally. :(
Will keep you posted. 

Hey guys.

       So, I've been really horribly unsuccessful in receiving quick replies from companies! It's really frustrating, so I decided to take manners into my own hands. I've been going to companies web pages and looking at their "FAQ" pages, as they are commonly known. 

      Don't worry!!! I'm still contacting these companies, but I figured it would be a good idea to post these, in addition to my correspondences. Like I mentioned previously I like the credibility that comes from personally contacting the companies. 

      However, I still feel like I can trust what it says on these companies web page because these companies would look really bad, if they lied about their cruelty-free status. Trust me. Take PETA who are infamous for checking those kinds of things. The truth always comes out. 

     So, please be patient with me. I'm working hard!

     For now, lets look at what it says on Mally's Beauty web page, about their "tested on animals" status. 

MallyBeauty.com(Click picture to go to site) 

      

I was surprised by the humble, quirky answer to this question. I often receive, answers that are full of facts but often don't answer the question. Just check out my correspondence with L'Oreal, Maybelline, MAC, & Revlon. I just want an answer, even if the answer is not want I want to hear. I don't want to feel like these companies are testing my vocabulary. Hopefully, that makes sense. 

     I feel this answer, from Mally Beauty is trustworthy because they get right to it. I like how, they mention Mally's personal philosophy, "She always says, tested on celebrities, not on animals." I wish all companies would take on that approach. 

         So far, I would feel safe purchasing from Mally. I will however, keep you updated when they reply to me. 
UPDATE: Dec. 29, 2013*** I know I said I would feel safe purchasing from Mally, but the more I've learned about animal testing makes me very spectacle when companies don't address animal testing questions. I would NOT purchase from them until they address my questions & if they meet the criteria I look for. 

       Mally, is usually only found on QVC or on their website. I've never seen her products in a sephora or Ulta. According to their FAQ page, they are not sold in China. 

 -So what do you think? Let me know your honest opinion below. 
-Also, I would appreciate it if you would subscribe. Just look for the subscriber box, to the left. -----> 
It would make me really happy!!! <3 <3 <3 


--Camila A. ☼

L'Oreal Official Correspondence

Hey guys.
So I finally received a reply from L'oreal. To be honest, I think the reason it took so long to receive a reply was my fault. I later realized I had emailed the wrong department. Opps. The important thing is that I finally received a reply from them. 



Here it is: 

My email to L'oreal:

"December 18, 2012

The safety of our consumers is our highest priority at L'Oréal Paris, 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.

L'Oréal is a leader in developing alternative methods to animal testing with the ultimate goal of eliminating all animal testing completely. In 1989, L'Oréal 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'Oréal's work in the area of alternative methods to animal testing, please visit our Sustainability website athttp://www.sustainabledevelopment.loreal.com/research-innovation/focus-on-predictive-evaluation/a-new-generation-of-predictive-evaluation-methods.aspx.

We appreciate your interest in L'Oréal Paris and we hope this information is helpful.

Sincerely,

[I don't feel right sharing the name of the person who replied to me]

Consumer Affairs Advisor

Ref # 6785402 "

      As you can see my suspicions were pretty accurate. Like I have mentioned before companies that mention they are committed to "a future without animal testing", are just evading the question. Whenever you hear that from a company it basically mean: WE CONDUCT ANIMAL TESTING. I am however, confused that according to my correspondence, in 1989 "L'Oreal voluntarily stopped using animal testing for the evaluation of its entire range..." I don't understand why a company would initiate an end to animal testing, yet continue to conduct animal testing. My opinion is that it has to due to China's obligatory animal testing law. Remember, there are  1.3 billion people in China, that is a gigantic market and companies like L'Oreal are not stupid. They know what that means to their pockets. Oh, money how you can rid us of our humanity! 

     Its weird to me that so many replies I receive from companies that do conduct animal testing are so similar. For example my correspondence with Maybelline, Revlon, & MAC. 

     I don't understand why these companies talk about trying to find "an alternative" to animal testing, when the alternative already exists. Check out Peta's website for an more detail at these methods, where are often "generally faster and less expensive."( Peta's Site)

       I won't go into too many details about these methods, as I am just a regular person who happens to be very passionate about animal cruelty, but I'm by NO means an expert. 

   

       So, if you are switching over to all cruelty-free cosmetics, I applaud you and urge you to STOP buying L'Oreal products. There are other great companies that come out with amazing products and do it with with no animal testing! For example, Physicians Formula, Sonia Kashuk, ELF, NYX, L.A. Colors (I still have to verify, but I'm hopeful), tarte, etc... (Check out my Cruelty-Free list for more). 

     Like I mentioned in my L'Oreal Update post, just a couple of days ago, I DO NOT support companies who have parent companies that test on animals. So I will be adding all the companies I listed from that post, to the NOT CRUELTY FREE section of my cruelty-free list. 

What do you think about all the similar replies I've been receiving from these companies? Have you had a similar experience? Anything you would like to add? Let me know, I really enjoy my comments! Especially since I receive so few. :)

      

--Camila A. ☼

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

My Cruelty-Free

So I've contacted a good hand full of companies, enough that I feel comfortable starting my list. Of course company policies are changing daily, none that I know of as of now, so that list will possibly change. This is just letting you guys know what is to come. I still have many to contact. These are the ones I've received a reply so far:

KEY:

BLACK : NOT cruelty-free

yellow ☀ :Cruelty Free

Fushia : haven't received a reply

(P:___) Parent Company is...

✘: Parent Company DOES NOT comply

_______________________________________________________________________
1st List (Cruelty-Free Companies)

***As you can see there are a LOT more non-cruelty-free companies vs. cruelty-free (or at the ones I've researched). I recommend you check out LeapingBunny's list, where they have PLENTY of more companies you can choose from. I'm sure having a list of non-cruelty-free companies is just as helpful as GOOD companies.

Desert Essence☀

NYX☀

Physicians Formula☀

Real Techniques☀

Sonia Kashuk☀

tarte☀

Too-Faced☀

theBalm☀

Wet N' Wild☀

_______________________________________________________________________

2nd List (NOT cruelty-free COMPANIES)

(a)

Adidas (P: Coty)✘

Astor(P: Coty)✘
Almay (P: P&G companies) ✘

(b)

Burt's Bees (P: Clorox) ✘

Balenciaga (P: Coty)✘

Beyonce (P: Coty)✘

Bottega Veneta (P: Coty)✘

bareMinerals (P: Shiseido) ✘

Biotherm (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

(c)

CCB Paris (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Cacharel (P: Coty)✘

Chloe (P: Coty)✘

Calvin Klein Fragrances (P: Coty)✘

Celine Dion (P: Coty)✘

Cerruti (P: Coty)

CK ONE Color (P: Coty)✘

Chopard (P: Coty)✘
Covergirl (P: P &G companies)

(d)

Diesel (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

David Beckham (P: Coty)✘

David Off (parfume) (P: Coty)✘
Dolce & Gabbana Fragrances (P: P&G companies)

(e)

Essie (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Elite Models (P: Coty)✘

Esprit (P: Coty)✘

Estee Lauder 

(f)

Faith Hill (P: Coty)✘

(g)

Garnier (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Giorgio Armani (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Guess (P: Coty)✘

(h)

Halle Berry (P: Coty)✘

Heidi Klum (P: Coty)✘

(i)

inneov (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

(j)

Jennifer Lopez(P: Coty)✘

Jil Sander(P: Coty)✘

Joopi(P: Coty)✘

Jovan(P: Coty)✘

(k)

Keraskin Esthetics (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Kate Moss (P: Coty)✘

Kylie Minogue (P: Coty)✘

(l)

L'Oreal Paris

L'Oreal Professional (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Lancome (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

La Roche Posay (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Lady Gaga (P: Coty)✘

Lancaster(P: Coty)✘

(m)

MAC (P: Estee Lauder)✘

Maybelline (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Matrix (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Maison Martin Margiela (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Madonna (P: Coty)✘

Manhattan ✘

Marc Jacobs (P: Coty)✘

Miss Sporty (P: Coty)✘

(n)

NYX 

N.Y.C NEW YORK COLOR (P: Coty)✘

Nautica (P: Coty)✘

Nicole by OPI (P: Coty)✘

NIKOS (P: Coty)✘

Nars (P: Shiseido)✘

(o)

OPI (P: Coty)✘

(p)

Pantene (P: P&G Companies)

Pureology (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Philosophy (P: Coty)✘

Pierre Cardin (P: Coty)✘

Playboy (P: Coty)✘

(q)

N/A

(r)

Revlon (P: Estee Lauder)✘

Ralph Lauren (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Roger & Gallet (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Rimmel (P: Coty)✘

Roberto Cavalli (P: Coty)✘

(s)

Sonia Kashuk 

Softsheen (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Shu Uemura Art of Hair (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Shu Uemura (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Stella McCartney (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Skinceuticals (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Sanoflore (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Sally Hansen (P: Coty)✘

Sarah Jessica Parker (P: Coty)✘

Stetson (P: Coty)✘

Shiseido 

(t)

Tim Mcgraw (P: Coty)✘

Tjoy (P: Coty)✘

Tonino Lamborghini (P: Coty)✘

(u)

Urban Decay (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

(v)

Viktor & Rolf (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Vichy (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

Vera Wang (P: Coty)✘

Vivienne Westwood (P: Coty)✘

Venus (P: P&G companies) ✘

(w)

(x)

(y)

YSL Beaute (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

YUE SAI (P: L'Oreal Paris)✘

(z)

_______________________________________________________________________

Disclaimer: I look at three factors to determine if a company is cruelty-free.
1. I look at their parent company. I do not believe in supporting a brand which is under a big company that does not also have a 100% cruelty-free status. I believe this because in those situations you often don't know where your money is going. Often, it might be funding animal testing.

2. I look at the suppliers of the company's raw ingredients. Companies I consider to be 100% cruelty-free will have verified that they make sure the manufcatures of the raw ingredients comply. They are often also accredited by an animal rights organization such as PETA or LeapingBunny. This gives me more reassurance that the suppliers are also cruelty-free.

3. I look to see if the products are sold in China. I do this because for cosmetic products to be sold in the Chinese market cosmetic companies must test their products on animals. Meaning, that if a company sells it's products in that market it cannot be cruelty-free. [Disclaimer: Although I ask about vegan products, I do not use that criteria exclusively to determine whether a company is cruelty-free. I just do it for the convenience of my vegan friends. :) ]

MAC

Hey guys.
I finally received a reply from a MAC representative. I'm not sure if you are aware of  it but MAC is actually owned my Estée Lauder ( read my correspondence and you will see.)  I knew what was coming. Though, I am not surprised, my passion for blogging about companies like these has grown. Read for yourself.

"Wednesday, November 7, 2012 8:49 AM

Dear Ms. Alvarez,

Thank you for your interest in M.A.C, a brand of the Estée Lauder Companies. We apologize for the delay in our response.

Providing consumers with products unsurpassed in quality and safety, while strictly adhering to legal requirements wherever we do business, is part of the deep heritage of the Estée Lauder Companies.

Our longstanding commitment to end animal testing has not changed: we do not test our products or ingredients on animals, nor do we ask others to test on our behalf, except where required by law.

We were one of the first cosmetic companies to demonstrate that cosmetic product safety can be achieved by non-animal testing methods. We are proud of the role we have played in advocating to regulators and industry participants worldwide, that cosmetic product safety can be proven by means other than animal testing. We have consistently supported the research program coordinated by the European trade association, Cosmetics Europe, for the replacement of animal tests since its inception 20 years ago. This broad program includes projects co-funded by the European Commission such as SEURAT (Safety Evaluation Ultimately Replacing Animal Testing). We are also members of the European Partnership for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EPAA), an initiative launched in 2005 by stakeholders from various industries, including the European Commission, to promote the sharing of knowledge across industries and facilitate the validation and acceptance of alternative test methods and strategies.

We are proud of our role in the great progress that has been made in eliminating animal testing around the world. Given, however, that there are still countries that require some animal testing, we have an opportunity to encourage global acceptance of scientifically validated non-animal testing methods. We are increasing our efforts and investments to make this goal a reality. Our activities toward this end include:

• Hosting industry dialogues and consortia to discuss the promotion of non-animal testing, state-of-the-art research and new breakthroughs in in vitro and other advanced testing methods, to regulators throughout the world

• Contributing funds to the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS), a US-based non-profit research and testing laboratory dedicated to the advancement of in vitro (non-animal) methods worldwide

• Developing and implementing programs in China and other markets where in vitro testing is not accepted in order to educate scientists on the scientifically validated safety record of these methods

• Continuing to support innovation at maximum speed and sharing protocols with regulators and industry participants worldwide

In addition, I appreciate the opportunity to explain that I do not have a comprehensive list of products that contain or do not contain specific ingredients. However, if you would kindly provide me with the specific names of products with which you are interested, I will be happy to have our chemist check for each of them.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[I omitted the name, just for privacy, I don't want this person who is just trying to survive to get a bunch of haters]
Consumer Response Representative" 

   

    MAC is stating how much they have tried to end animal testing, apparently for 20 years now,by partnering with SEURAT (Safety Evaluation Ultimately Replacing Animal Testing). I have no doubt this is not true, and I applaud their efforts, but it does not change anything. Why can companies like Urban Decay, Wet N' Wild, Tarte, Sonia Kashuk, etc. deliver amazing quality products without having to resort to those inhumane means, especially when they are completely unnecessary? They chose to.

  

  Remember there are 1.3 billion people in China, that is a huge market. Companies like MAC, Revlon, and Maybelline are not stupid, they know what 1.3 billion people means for their pockets. The world would be a nicer place if these CEO types, who make millions of dollars, would considered stuffing their pockets with some humanity.

    

    I know many of you are not sure what to think when you investigate these companies and receive replies, like the one above, that are inconclusive.

   

    There are "signs" of trouble that you can look out for, when you are in contact with a company. First, if they say something a long the lines of: we don't test on animals.....unless required by law. It just means: we test on animals. Also, any company that sales in China, at specific retail outlets (its different with selling online); it just means : we test on animals.

     I'm sorry if it seems like I'm just ranting. But I have to be honest with you guys and myself about how I feel. How would it benefit anyone if i tried to be "politically correct"? 

    

    The only MAC product I own, my sister actually "borrowed" from a friend; then I "borrowed" it from her. All, I can say is that my Cruelty-Free Wet N' Wild eyeshadows give those a run for their money. They are as pigmented, and dare I say more buttery. If you are a MAC-die hard user, know that behind their "oh-la-la" look, stands a dark reality. Behind, the glitter and the red lips, is the scarlett blood of innocent creatures. Ask yourself, is the status I get from my peers by showcasing my "MAC" compact worth it? I know what my answer is.
 

-Camila A. ☼