Most ladies use cosmetics to enhance or maintain their appearance.  We visit a shop, look at the different ranges of eye shadows, lipsticks, mascaras and foundations, picking the one that we think would suit us best.  Not often do we consider how these products ended up on the shop floor.

Most of us are vehemently disgusted by the thought of animal testing and non-eco friendly practices, but strangely enough it does not come to thought when we are purchasing! We would debate the horrors of animal testing in a phillisophical discussion, but turn around and put on a lipstick that does not reflect our so-called belief system.

I want to encourage you to support your belief system on a purchasing level.  After reading this article you cannot cry ignorance, it is all black on white.  The following companies unfortunately do not support the anti-cruelty principles we would like them to do:

Even though the above companies do engage in animal testing, I should be fair and mention what some of them are doing on a ecological front:

• The Yves Rocher Foundation offers educational programs on being environmentally friendly
• The Body Shop uses "green electricity" in all their premises
• Aveda uses wind as an alternative energy source
• Vichy employs green technology
• Dr. Hauschka uses biodynamics in his farming in order to create chemical free small eco-systems.
• Stila encourages consumers to make use of their refillable packaging
• M.A.C. provides one free lipstick for every six empty containers brought back
• Cargo uses bio-degradable packaging.

Please feel free to leave comments to this article.  I would love to discuss these matters and correct any incorrect information.

Please do take care when purchasing your products.

You can help to make a difference!