e.l.f. Haul | Cruelty-Free Blog

I was walking through Walmart the other day and was shocked (I yelped, nope I'm not exaggerating) when I saw this beautiful, magical, glowing (I swear I heard music playing) ELF display. With their new studio blushes, new brushes, lip-glosses, mascaras, etc. Why is this significant you might be asking? Well, usually you can only find ELF products at Target or sometimes at DollarTree but they never have a big selection. Also, if you've ever order from the ELF site and live in the Western part of the US you know it takes FOREVER to get your stuff! I'm actually proud if myself for only picking three things. I wanted to share with you guys some swatches and my first impressions of these products. Later I went to CVS, where I picked up the derma E Creme. 

Disclaimer: Everything in this Haul is cruelty-free, at least to the best of my knowledge. For more info on which companies are and aren't cruelty-free check Humanely,Chic out. 

I. ELF: Flawless Eyeshadow in "Beautiful Browns"
First Impression: I'm surprised with the pigmentation! They are a bit dusty & do have some fallout.

 I love that crease color. It's a penny-bronzy color.

 II. ELF: Jumbo Lip Gloss Stick in "Movie Star"
First Impression: The color wasn't as opaque as I was expecting. It's smooth though & not drying at all.

Good for just a flush of color.

III. ELF: Small Angled Brush
First Impression: It's sooo soft without being flimsy.

IV. derma E :Tea Tree and E Antiseptic Creme with Tea Tree and Vitamin E

First Impression: Definitely has that Tea Tree scent, which is herbally. I LOVE Tea Tree products for controlling breakouts and keeping my skin clean. It's surprising thick!! 

 It's soo thick and feels cooling on your skin. 

I can't wait to review these products! Let me know if you're excited to see ELF at Walmart. Also, what are some of your favorite cruelty-free brands?

Lots of Love,

Camila

Light Mountain | Natural Hair Color and Conditioner | Cruelty-Free Inquiry

Hey guys. Someone on my facebook page requested that I look into cruelty-free hair color companies. I had seen Light Mountain in Sprouts and decided to go ahead and email them. I received a reply within 24-hours, which is always great & doesn't happen often! 

I emailed them using the format I usually use. Click here to see it. 

Light Mountain replied saying: (They went ahead and just answered directly from my email. Which I appreciated.)

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. Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals?   NO. 

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.  we are party to the convention of Leaping Bunny which sets up protocols for both supplier declarations and for ongoing assurances that no animal testing is being done. 3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals?   NO.  We actually do our own blending and we buy directly from the grower for all our raw materials, which are certified organic and monitored by 3^rd party certification organizations.  There is no intervening manufacturer. 

4. Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals?  NO. 

5. 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 

6. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source?   NOT USED. 

7. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase? Our entire product line is Vegan.  You can see it at www.light-mountain-hair-color.com  we have 20 shades of hair color, 12 “regular” and 8 “color the gray” in the line.
Thank you so much for the information. Also note that any reply I receive, I will be sharing on humanelychic.blogspot.com, which now has over 20,000 views! -Camila A.

YAY!! They meet my three criteria! They are also 100% vegan which I know a lot of you will be really happy about! I'm actually thinking of lightening my hair, so I might be reviewing their products.

Until Next Time,
Camila

Cruelty-Free Blog & Your Opinion!

Don't you guys hate the fact that a lot of the YouTube beauty community isn't cruelty-free? I know I find it sad and annoying to hear about all these products that, yes might be good, but at what cost? Also, I always consider that fact that there are GREAT cruelty-free companies that don't get enough recognition. Well, for maybe six months now I have been running my own Beauty-Blog. Where I review cosmetics & skin car stuff, etc. Basically only cruelty-free beauty-stuff!! It's called Space-A-Lah.

I have hesitated on sharing it on here, just because it took awhile for me to grow into my cruelty-free activist shoes. Meaning, I often found out some companies I thought were cruelty-free, were not. I was scared of swaying you to -potentially- buy stuff that has been tested on my furry friends. Now that I feel more confident about what companies are truly cruelty-free I have decided to share it here.

You might be wondering why I didn't post reviews, hauls, and such on here. I actually have been thinking about it, but I wanted to have your support first.

So, I would really appreciate your feedback! Should I stay or move my reviews, etcs. here? Be honest! I know it would be easier to maintain just one blog and have all the info. easy to find in just one place. Thank you for allowing my little 'ol blog to blossom! I can't believe I have over 25,000 views! WHAT??? I have so much more planned! I love you all! <3 <3 <3

Lots of Love,
Camila

HumanelyChic now on Twitter

Hey guys!

HumanelyChic is now on twitter! I know some of you follow this blog on facebook, bloglovin', or google-plus! This is just another option for you to stay in touch with updates, new posts, some news, etc.

Models Own | Animal Testing Inquiry

I contacted Models Own and received a reply. I actually received this reply this past May! I think it got lost in my email. I have a "companies" file and I guess I miss placed it! Opps. My hope is to keep you updated with the latest information, so I've contacted them again to make sure their policies have not changed. Sorry guys :P 

Anyways. I used the format* I always use. 

To Whomever it May Concern:
I am doing research on animal testing, and I need to verify a few key points about your company.
1. Does your company test ingredients or finished products on animals? 2. Do you test ingredients or products on animals through a 3rd party? 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/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? 6. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source? 7. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase? 
Thank you so much for the information. Also note that any reply I receive, I will be sharing on humanelychic.blogspot.com . Which is my blog.

A Models Own representative emailed me back with:
*To make it easier for you to follow along, I've added the original question in pink. That way you don't have to scroll up and down! Whatever is in black is originally from the email. I didn't change anything, all I did was add the questions.

Hello,Thank you for your email.Models Own takes the welfare of animals very seriously, and we have never tested any of our products or ingredients on animals, either directly or through third parties.To answer your questions directly:1. [Does your company test ingredients or finished products on animals?]  No 2.[Do you test ingredients or products on animals through a 3rd party?]  No 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/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 6.  [Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source? ] Yes (in pencils), from organic and sustainable sources 7. [Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?] The vast majority of our products are vegan, including all 130+ of our nail polishes, all nail art pens, all standard lipsticks, all eyeliners and the majority of our brushes (see below). Non-vegan products include bronzers, mascaras, Hyper Brite lipsticks, cream eyeshadow, Smokey Eye Kits, and the blending and shading eyebrow brushes. While these products use animal-derived ingredients (typically waxes), no animals are harmed during this process, and everything comes from sustainable sources. Hope that answers your enquiry. x Regards, Models Own Models Own is owned by Harlow & Co. They are manufacturer "indie nail polishes". As far as I know they don't sale in China.   As you can see they meet my three criteria for determining is a company is cruelty-free.  I would feel safe purchasing from them as of now. TO check out other cruelty-free companies click here!  If you have ANY concerns or questions about this inquiry feel free to ask me! Just leave me a comment below. The entire point of this blog is to help YOU! So don't be shy!! Until Next Time, Camila Like HumanelyChic on facebook! To get updates!

UPDATE!!

If you've messaged me or emailed me recently and I have not replied FORGIVE ME! I relied on google to alert me when I received a new comment, but for some reason I have not received any alerts. Don't shy away & feel free to email me at ca.alva@yahoo.com !

I've contacted a bunch of companies but have not received a reply. I wanted to focus on contacting at least four companies per month, please leave in the comments what company YOU would like me to contact, I will chose the top 4. I think this new system will make you and me happy. I hope you are all doing well. Also LIKE this blog on facebook to receive updates & extra information!

Until Next Time,
Camila

Kinky-Curly | Hair Products

Hello guys! I hope you are having a wonderful day!

Today, I received a reply from Kinky-Curly. If you've never heard of them, they make hair products specifically geared towards women (&men) with luscious curly or kinky hair.

I've heard some cruelty-free YouTube gurus talk about their products and I've seen PETA's bunny logo on their products; however, I felt the need to email them myself.

I emailed them using the format I always use. Click on here to see it.


They emailed me back within a couple of days:

Hi Camila 

Thank you for emailing us.Kinky-Curly Hair Care does not test on animals.
Also we do not work with any 3rd parties who test on animals.
We have no plans to sell our products to a market that requires our products be tested on animals.

As you can see they meet the three criteria that I look for when I add a company to My Cruelty-Free List. They are also verified by PETA. I also appreciate that they got to the point! Many companies babble about their "efforts to end animal testing", yet they sell in the Chinese market (which requires animal testing).

As of now I would feel safe purchasing from Kinky-Curly, especially as someone with curly hair!

Let me know if you've tried Kinky-Curly products! Leave me any feedback you'd like!

Until Next Time,
Camila

India Bans Animal Testing!!

petaindia.com

Hey guys! I have revolutionary news for you. 

Yesterday, I received a wonderful email --from Tasgola Bruner (Media Coordinator, Laboratory Investigations Department - PETA)-- which informed me that as of June 28, 2013 India will no longer permit the "testing [of]cosmetics and their ingredients on animals." This was announced during the Burea of Indian Standards PCD 10 Cosmetics Sectional Committee meeting. 

How do I feel about this news? 

This ban encompasses not only cosmetics but also their ingredients!! Which is so huge! However, PETA India now has to campaign to end animal testing on household products (including the ingredients used). So, please support their efforts!!

A few months ago, we were celebrating Europe's ban on animal testing, now we are celebrating India's. I'm not sure if you are aware but Israel had also banned animal testing on their cosmetics and household products. Imagine if the Chinese government followed this trend and decided to ban animal testing? This should be our goal for the upcoming year. PETA is campaigning for that ban as well, make sure you keep yourself informed and support their efforts. Remember, you don't have to donate money to support them, just by getting the word out there you are helping the cause.

This wouldn't of been possible without PETA's campaign and the work of MP Maneka Gandhi (Drug Controller General of India). They worked with "high-profile" politicians; such as Sonia Gandhi (Congress President), Santosh Chowdhury (Minister of  Healthy & Family Welfare), Lal Krishna Advani (senior leader of the Bharatiya Janasta Party); and retailers; such as LUSH, The Body Shop, Omved Lifestyle, Shahnaz Husain. Oh, but the list of the support for this campaign doesn't end there! According to PetaIndia.com, "Officials from the Indian Council of Medical Research, the Mahatma Gandhi–Doerenkamp Center for Alternatives to Use of Animals in Life Science Education and the Animal Welfare Board of India, a statutory advisory body, had also all expressed support for the ban." WOW! 

To read more about this story click on the sun : ☀ . Please comment below to let me know how you feel about this news!! Leave me any feedback you would like! Lastly, SPREAD THE WORD!

Until Next Time,
Camila

P.S. Thanks Tasgola for informing me & thank you for you work!

NYX Cosmetics UPDATE:

CLICK HERE TO READ ENTIRE ARTICLE!!!

Update (June 26, 2013): I received another reply from NYX, where they further explain about their manufactures, China, etc.. I wanted to share it just so you can have more reassurance when purchasing from NYX.  

Hi Camila,

NYX Cosmetics does not test on animals and we do not contract with any 3rd parties who test on our behalf. We will not sell into a market that requires that products be tested on animals, for which we were awarded PETA’s Courage in Commerce Award. We also receive certifications from our manufacturers that they do not test on animals and that they do not contract 3rd parties to test raw ingredients on animals. In addition, we are committed to making sure that raw materials used in our products are tested using approved alternative methods implemented to protect and respect animals. NYX as a brand is also part of the effort to ensure that new ingredients are never tested on animals.
http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2012/11/15/nyx-cosmetics-receives-peta-s-courage-in-commerce-award.aspx
- NYX Cosmetics Feedback

UPDATE (June 19, 2013): NYX has emailed me back, assuring me that their raw ingredients manufactures animal testing policy complies with NYX's. This is what they emailed me: 

Hello,
Thank you for reaching out! NYX Cosmetics is certified and acknowledged by organizations, such as PETA, as a cruelty free brand. NYX is committed to producing 100% cruelty-free cosmetics. NYX does not test any of its raw materials or finished products on animals.
Kindest Regards,
NYX Cosmetics

LimeCrime

Hello guys. I'm really excited to share with you all my correspondence with LimeCrime. If you have never heard of LimeCrime, you need to listen up! They sell really vibrant cosmetics. For example, you can find red lip stick and blue lipstick on their site. Shades you might expect high-end companies, such as Mac or Nars to sell. Except --as you will soon find--cruelty-freely.

I first "heard" (read?) about LimeCrime, when I was looking through PETA's DO NOT test list. I checked them out & knew I had to find out their cruelty-free status.

Of course, I first emailed them using the format I always use. (Click here to see 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.

 1. Does your company test ingredients or finished products on animals? 

2. Do you test ingredients or products on animals through a 3rd party? 
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/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? 
6. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source? 
7. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase? 

I received a reply a few days later:

Hi Camila,
1-6 the answer is no
7 currently all products on our site are vegan.

I'm glad they replied, but --as you can see--their reply didn't leave me much to go on. Being very as partial to detail as I am, I decided to email them again, urging them to explain further:

 Hi [names have been omitted], 

Thank you for your prompt reply. I would appreciate it if you elaborated. How does LimeCrime ensure that the manufactures of their ingredients do not conduct animal testing? Does LimeCrime have an audit process? Second, from what I understand LimeCrime does not retail in the Chinese market because it requires animal testing; am I right in this statement? 

Also, thank you for becoming affiliated with PETA. There is a fast growing market of makeup enthusiast who only shop cruelty-free. I know I really appreciate it and so do the readers of my blog, it just makes shopping easier for us. -Camila 

 I received a second reply about a week after:

Hi Camila, 

I've just spoken with our Inventory Manager, sorry for the delay. We do have signed pledges from all of our manufacturers stating that our products and ingredients are completely vegan. We ensure vegan/cruelty-free claims by working with manufacturers who are reputable and willing to provide sworn written statements about the sources of their ingredients.

Well, as you can see: LimeCrime does not have a parent company; meaning we don't have to worry about what would be that company's cruelty-free status, Lime Crime does not support 3rd party testing & have a specific audit process to ensure their manufacturers are reliable, and finally, LimeCrime does not sell in China. These are the three specific criteria I look at when determining a company's cruelty-free status & deciding whether to add them to my list. (To see my criteria more in detail click here). 

I would feel safe purchasing from LimeCrime & am excited to do so!! 

Also, if you are interested about purchasing from LimeCrime, I really recommend you check out Friends of the Lagomorph, which is an online site that retails ALL cruelty-free cosmetics, beauty products, etc. And, no I am not being paid to talk about Friends of the Lagomorph, I just truly LOVE that site. It's easy to shop & I don't really know of any other online site that only sells cruelty-free beauty products. 

Let me know what you think. Leave me ANY feedback you would like. 

Until Next Time,

Camila