Sleek Makeup

April 23, 2013 UPDATE: I published the article below on October 19, 2012. After at least five + attempts to try to contact them, I don't know how I would feel about supporting such an inconsiderate company, even if they are cruelty-free. I will however, keep you updated. 




Hey guys.

     I've been relentless in trying to contact Sleekmakeup.com and have been unsuccessful. Big surprise!! Since the people at Sleek are ignoring me, I have taken my own measures. I have been snooping around, checking their status with animal rights organizations. What I have found is...well you decide for yourself. 
     First, they are not listed in either PETA's DON'T list and PETA's DO list; or on LeapingBunny's list. Wanting to give Sleekmakeup a chance to redeem themselves I ventured on to Nottested.co.uk ; which is a UK animal rights website, that gives list of various other company's animal testing policies.
   Companies that are highlighted in orange, are those : "Companies yet to respond or who have ambiguous policies (i.e. Those that do not clearly state that both the finished products and ingredients are not tested on animals)" 

     When you scroll down to Sleekmakeup, there is a statement from the company ; which is: ""[We] confirm that we do not test any of our products on animals during any phase of the product’s development, and therefore declare that all cosmetic products comply with the EEC Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EEC that are not tested on animals."

    They do not have a parent company. 
     If this is true, why not become certified by a credible organization, like PETA or Leaping Bunny???
     Companies like this make me think "SHADY!" Although, I hate companies like Revlon, Maybelline, Burt's Bee's (Clorox), etc... but at least those companies, in their conservative ways, either state they are testing on animals, or "indicate" they are. 
     It's really disappointing. I have tired three times now to contact them, no reply so far. I will keep trying! Even if it means taking a trip to the UK. 
     Leave your opinions below, or contact me privately at ca.alva@yahoo.com 

Revlon

Hey guys.

Sorry, it's been a while. I've emailed Physician's Formula, Wet N' Wild, Sleek Makeup, and a few more but haven't received a reply.

I did however, receive a reply from a Revlon representative. I would like to share that email here:

"Dear Ms. Alvarez:
Thank you for your recent comments from the Revlon website and for voicing your concern to us.
Revlon is in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations related to animal testing. All ingredients used by Revlon and all products manufactured and sold by Revlon comply with both U.S. and European Union laws and regulations, including full compliance with all Europe-wide bans on testing of cosmetics and cosmetics ingredients using animals, which are part of the European Cosmetics Directive.

Revlon has long been an industry leader in the elimination of animal testing. In 1986, Revlon was the first beauty products manufacturer to close down its animal testing facilities completely. In addition, Revlon holds its suppliers of ingredients and components to the same standards. All chemical supplier purchase orders require confirmation by the supplier that it does not perform animal testing on materials supplied.

To assure product safety, Revlon relies on the judgment of pharmacologic, toxicologic and medical experts, non-animal alternative test methods and the established safety of formulations and ingredients. Revlon is committed to providing safe and effective products and will continue to comply with all government laws and regulations necessary to assure the quality, safety and efficacy of its products.
Thank you for your interest in our company. If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Please do not reply to this e-mail. Replies sent to this email address cannot be answered. If you have additional comments about this issue, please click here:
http://www.econsumeraffairs.com/rev/contactUsFollowUp.htm?F1=002648819A&F2=RE&
If you have comments on a separate issue, please return to our corporate website: http://www.revlon.com
Sincerely,

[names have been omitted]Senior Consumer Information Representative"

     

This email reminds me a lot of the reply I received from Maybelline. While, it's very factual and gives a lot of "history" it evades most of the questions I asked.

Why do they insist on running away from my question? Its a simple question, the answer is either YES or NO.

My Q: So does Revlon test their final products on animals?

Their Answer: "Revlon is committed to providing safe and effective products and will continue to comply with all government laws and regulations necessary to assure the quality, safety and efficacy of its products."

When companies claim that the government has regulations about animal testing, when the FDA's website (click to go to site) clearly states that animal testing is not required it makes me distrust them. They are evading the question, instead of telling me " Yes, we test on animals." I feel like they are trying to excuse their behavior and make themselves feel better about the horrors they commit.

In regards to whether they do third party testing, meaning if their suppliers test their products on animals, Revlon claims to ensure the suppliers do not. However, even if is true, how is it benefiting animals, when the product that is sold is tested on them? IT DOES NOT!

I will not be purchasing from Revlon. I had a feeling about them in the past, this correspondence just confirms my fears.

Please let me know what you think. Comment below, and contact Revlon for yourself. If you do share it with us. It's important to look at how they respond to different people, which might say more about them as a company.

Email me at ca.alva@yahoo.com






-Camila A

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.