By Flavia Polles
Every year, millions of animals are poisoned and killed in barbaric tests that were crudely developed as long ago as the 1920s to evaluate the toxicity of consumer products and their ingredients. Rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and other animals are forced to swallow or inhale massive quantities of a test substance or endure the pain of having a chemical eat away at their sensitive eyes and skin––even though the results of animal tests are often unreliable or not applicable to humans.
Today, hundreds of cosmetics and household-product companies have turned their backs on animal testing and begun taking advantage of the many sophisticated non-animal testing methods available today, which range from cell and tissue cultures to computerized “structure-activity relationship” models.
The best way to stop companies from using animals is to refuse to purchase their products and to write and tell them why you won’t be using their eye shadow, detergent, or shampoo. (PETA)
We interviewed the make up artist Valentina Gretsova about alternatives to make up and you get to check out the photo shoot by the photographer Maria Merlukova with the model Flavia Dias, all the products used are cruelty free.
As a huge animal lover I only use cruelty-free products. When you choose to go cruelty-free, you are making a statement that animal testing is unacceptable. Just the idea of testing sounds not only inhumane, but outdated and unnecessary as well. All of my clients are very supportive because they know they can achieve a beautiful and healthy look using only animal-friendly products – and they can feel good about themselves too! (Valentina)
Look 1 – Hourglass Cosmetics:
- Mechanical Gel Eye Liner
- Ambient Lighting Bronzer in “Luminous Bronze Light”
- Femme Nude Lip Stylo in “Honey Beige Nude” and “Golden Peach Nude”
Look 2 – e.l.f. Cosmetics:
- Eyebrow Kit in “Medium”
- Moisturizing Lipstick in “Red Carpet” and “Velvet Rope”
Look 3 – Josie Maran Cosmetics:
- Coconut Watercolor Eyeshadow in “Rio De Rose Gold”
- Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee in “Pink Escape”
- Argan Color Stick in “Pink”
Look 4 – Too Faced Cosmetics:
- “Country” Eyeshadow Palette
- Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in “Melted Coral” and “Melted Nude”
The good news is that today, a multitude of cruelty-free cosmetics and household products are not tested on animals. Check out PETA’s database of companies that don’t test on animals and request a free copy of PETA’s global Cruelty-Free Shopping Guide to find cruelty-free versions of all the products that you could ever need.
Credits:
Photographer Maria Merkulova
Make Up Artist Valentina Gretsova
Sources:
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/cosmetic_testing/qa/questions_answers.html
