Posts Tagged ‘cruelty free’

Organic Surge shower gel – think happy

Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

Yes, it’s Part Two of my exciting series about organic shower gels. And judging by the comments I got on Part 1 I know that you’re all dying to hear the next installment.

Nevertheless, genius is rarely recognised in its own time, so I shall continue on undeterred. (Sniffle)

While in Dunnes recently I picked up a tube of Organic Surge tropical bergamot shower gel. “Impressive results without chemical overload” it promised. Worth a try I thought, popping it into the basket, along with a pair of tights – which were the only things I actually came in for – and the other impulse buys which included a leopard print bra and a skirt which I may, or may not, ever wear… Well, they were all in the sale so that doesn’t count… Does it?

Well readers I can tell you – Organic Surge is gorgeous. The ingredients have been scrutinized and and certified by the Soil Association and are indeed organic and natural – and it smells totally scrumdiddlyumptious. Cruelty free, this brand is also committed to supporting charities in Africa.

Read more about the brand and its ethical commitments here.

I will definitely be repurchasing and I have my eye on the Citrus Mint gel next. At less than a tenner for 250ml you should get some too.

Tags: cruelty free, organic, organic surge, shower gel
Posted in Brands, treatment & product reviews, Ethical & Organic Beauty | 22 Comments »

M&S Are Cruelty Free

Friday, March 21st, 2008

autograph

Good auld Marks & Sparks have just announced that they’re the first major high street retailer to exclusively offer BUAV (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection) “Cruelty Free” approval on their beauty and household cleaning collections. Over 1,200 products plus their individual ingredients are now cute bunny approved. Hurrah!

Check after the cut for full info on the collections and products that make the grade.

(more…)

Tags: cruelty free, Marks and Spencers
Posted in Beauty News & Links | 7 Comments »

Shocking Report on Animal Testing from Lush

Tuesday, January 29th, 2008

While browsing the Lush website the other day, I came across a statement from them on the current status of animal testing in the beauty industry. Depressing reading. Let us know your thoughts in a comment.

animal testing

Tags: animals, cruelty free, Lush
Posted in Beauty News & Links, Ethical & Organic Beauty | 14 Comments »

Another reason to love Smashbox

Monday, January 28th, 2008

smashbox

Yes, you know Smashbox are one of our favourite beauty brands.

And another reason to love them is that they’re completely cruelty free and PETA approved. Their new collection, Green Room, contains formulas that’re loaded with antioxidant-rich Moringa Seed Extract, providing natural antioxidant protection with each application, and packaging is biodegradable or recyclable too.

Above is a Shadow Quad in Bamboo, which is also available in another colour-way called Blossom, and both retail at €36. Also in the new collection are a Luminizing Sandwich, €36, Hybrid 2 in 1 Color & Shine Lip Gloss with Moringa Seed Extract, €21, and a Bronzer with Moringa Seed Extract for €32.

Smashbox used to be difficult to get on the auld sod but is now available in more and more locations throughout Ireland. For a full list read on. (more…)

Tags: cruelty free, Smashbox
Posted in Ethical & Organic Beauty | No Comments »

BTs to go Fur Free from February!

Thursday, December 13th, 2007

fur free

The luxury rooms of BTs are almost perfect. Crammed as they are with the gorgeous designer clothes and the fantastic cosmetics. A by-word for everything stylish and elegant in Irish life.

But one thing was wrong. Very wrong. BTs are one of the few places in Ireland to still sell animal fur. People often say to me though: Whats wrong with wearing fur anyway? I mean, I eat meat, I wear leather…

Well if you don’t know what’s wrong with wearing fur then I suggest you go off and Google how fur animals are killed. There. That’ll put a stop to your cough.

So we’re thrilled at Beaut.ie to congratulate the Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) who celebrate a well deserved victory tomorrow. Brown Thomas has declared its intention to make the company Fur Free from February 2008.

The Animal Rights Action Network have campaigned for many years to urge BTs to go fur free. This has taken enormous effort, goodwill and sustained mobilisation of the Animal Rights troops.

Also fur free and proud are Cleary’s, Debenhams, Roches Stores, Marks & Spencer, Dunnes, Next, Top Shop, Karen Millen and many more.

If you’d like to email BTs to thank them for making this move you can email their Women’s Wear Buying Director Stephen Sealey

And from all of us at Beaut.ie we’d like to say – fantastic news!

Tags: animals, Brown Thomas, cruelty free
Posted in Beauty News & Links, Ethical & Organic Beauty | 20 Comments »

Ask & You Shall Recieve: Cruelty Free Brushes

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007

Origins brush Ruth asked, “I was wondering does anyone know whats the story regarding natural bristle brushes and cruelty to animals…i.e. those made from goat hair and sable hair“. She wants to know, “what’s the story regarding cruelty to animals here? We are always worried about our cosmetics being cruelty free..”

Yep, it’s a good question and also it’s an easy one to answer. It’s a fact that most pro makeup brushes are made from natural hair, like sable – and so, by the way, are artists paintbrushes. I have heard of natural hair brushes being cruelty free but really, I can’t see how, unless the little animals consent to having individual hairs plucked from their pelts. Hmm, it’s not a scenario I can easily imagine, somehow.

But we don’t have to, because Origins make synthetic brushes that are really good. The range starts from â‚¬17 and is pretty comprehensive. I’ve given them a whirl and they’re smooth and really soft and not at all scratchy in the way that some synthetic brushes can be. Definitely recommended.

Tags: cruelty free, make-up brushes, Origins
Posted in Ask, and you shall receive, Ethical & Organic Beauty, Gadgets, Books & Accessories | 11 Comments »

Brands Not Tested on Animals

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

bunny

I noticed a couple of you blathering about brands who test on animals and finding it very hard to find makeup that’s cruelty free. Rest assured ladies, it’s a cinch.

Off the top of my head, companies that do not test on animals are: Aveda, The Body Shop, Bobbi Brown, Bare Escentuals, Clarins, Hard Candy, Origins, Organic Glam,Dr Hauschka, Lavera and quite seriously, a ton more. Going organic is usually a good start – the guidelines these companies follow to achieve certification usually involve them being ethical about what they’re creating anyway.

Check the caringconsumer.org website for a full list of PETA approved beauty brands who don’t test (and those who do) and there’s also a listing of vegan brands too.

Tags: animals, cruelty free, Make-up
Posted in Ask, and you shall receive, Ethical & Organic Beauty | 43 Comments »

World Animal Week

Friday, September 28th, 2007

Animals are more beautiful then we can ever be. They need to be loved and cherished, rescued from danger and cruelty and given loving and safe places to live.

And lets not forget that some of the beauty products we all love so much are (or were once) tested on animals. So here’s our chance to give something back.

Support the ISPCA by giving a donation, becoming a member, giving an animal a home, fundraising, or getting involved with one of their many campaigns. What better time to do it then World Animal Week!

Tags: animals, cruelty free
Posted in Beauty News & Links | 4 Comments »

Skin MD Shielding Lotion: a little goes a long way

Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

Skin MD Shielding Lotion is not a conventional moisturiser, yet it claims to moisturise skin six times more effectively than traditional products. Apparently the Shielding lotion keeps “moisture-robbing irritants away from the skin while the proprietary “super” humectants hydrate the skin throughout the day, transforming the outer layer of skin into a hydrating invisible shield”

So that’s the science. But what did Principessa think of it?

“Never reckless, I checked the Skin MD site before I used the samples. What exactly is a Shielding Lotion? They say itâ€™s â€œfar more effective as a dry skin care treatment than mere moisturising lotions or protective creamsâ€.

“So whatâ€™s in it? Well, lots of good things like Arnica, Yarrow, Camomile and Comfrey.

“Whatâ€™s not in it ?

No animal products or testing
Fragrance and colorant free
Hypoallergenic
Paraben free
Non-comedogenic

“I squeezed a little bit out and it started to expand, itâ€™s not quite a cream, more an expanding gel. If Willy Wonka made moisturizers this would be it. The ever-expanding Shielding Lotion!

“Is it any good? Amazingly yes, I applied it at night and the following morning my skin was so soft, really lovely. It doesnâ€™t have the instant soothing reward of a more emollient cream, so Iâ€™m not sure Iâ€™d use it under make-up, or even long term on my face, but as a good value body moisturiser definitely.”

Thank you Pricipessa! And if you want to know more check out the all singing all dancing website . The Shielding Lotion costs around â‚¬21 for 120ml.

Tags: cruelty free, moisturiser, Skin MD, Skincare
Posted in Brands, treatment & product reviews, Skincare | 11 Comments »

Ask & You Shall Receive – Cruelty Free Skincare

Wednesday, April 4th, 2007

lavera young faces Lyndsay, a student on a tight budget, has asked us to source her some cruelty free skincare solutions. She doesn’t have much to spend, but needs products to sort out her particular skin issues – she suffers from congestion and some spots. In general though she reckons her skin is normal – dry. What can we suggest?

I’d suggest using a face wash morning and night which will help keep breakouts down to a minimum and will help to ease congestion by removing excess sebum from the skin on a daily basis.

We’d usually recommend trusty Vichy Normaderm but as their parent company is L’Oreal and you’ve dismissed the Body Shop on those grounds in your mail to us, I doubt you’d be happy using it. So, lets go organic. You could try Lavera Young Faces Cleansing Gel for oily & impure skin (about â‚¬9). I’ve tried this myself and it’s great. I don’t have oily skin either (nor am I particularly young, waah), but I do suffer from breakouts and this does a Normaderm type job that leaves skin smooth with no tightness, and it also comes with no animal testing concerns. You can buy online from evenone.ie or also get it in health food stores.

More of a treat for you, (if you can convince someone else to buy it as a present so much the better!), would be some goodies from MAC’s new skincare range. I’m using their Cremewash at the moment and it’s really nice – a no nonsense product that does what it says it does. I’ve no price info on it but I’d estimate in and around the â‚¬20+ mark might be about right.

Tags: budget, cleansers, cruelty free, Lavera, Mac
Posted in Ask, and you shall receive, Ethical & Organic Beauty, Skincare | 10 Comments »