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Testing Out Milk Makeup

There’s a new cruelty free makeup brand popping up at Sephora these days and it’s called Milk Makeup. I really hadn’t heard a lot about the brand, but something about it intrigued me. Wanting to satisfy my curiosity, I have tested out quite a few pieces from the line and wanted to share my findings with you. The brand itself has quite a young, edgy vibe to it. From the names to the shades to even the packaging. Most everything comes in stick or tube form – perfect for gals on the go! After all, the company markets their products to be a “multifunctional, high tech, low-maintenance line for girls who spend less time getting done up and more time getting stuff done.” Kind of a cool idea if you ask me! 🙂 According to Sephora’s site, everything is also made with the “best quality natural ingredients.” And the shades are anything but boring neutrals. These products are meant for the bold. Kind of strange that I was drawn to any of these things actually since I tend towards rather boring neutral makeup. But I threw caution to the wind and this is what I found…!

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Overview

Flower Beauty Cosmetics Overview & Animal Testing – Elaboration on Initial Post

*** Flower is now PETA Approved! ***

 

As some of you may know, Drew Barrymore has been working on her own cosmetics line. You can read the initial announcement in WWD here. The line is to be sold exclusively at Walmart and is aiming to be the same quality as high-end lines, but at drug store prices! The company plans to accomplish this goal by not paying for advertising; Drew herself will do all of the promotion. This allows Flower Beauty to put their resources solely into the formulations. According to Flower Beauty’s website, the products are made in the USA and are never tested on animals. Yay!!! Flower Beauty is slowly rolling out at select Walmart locations, you can check to see if there is one near you at FlowerBeauty. The products are also available on Walmart’s website!


The line includes products for nails, lips, eyes and the face. They point out that they have included a BB Cream that is actually like an Asian BB Cream, not the bastardized version that suddenly flooded the American market. There is also a tinted moisturizer, a liquid foundation, a powder foundation and a stick foundation. The prices range from $5.98 to $13.98.

I should add the following in case you are concerned with the animal testing aspect of the company. It’s been incredibly difficult to find out much of anything about this company so far, but here is what I used to determine that they do not test on animals:

I finally found the actual Flower Beauty website and it states they do not test on animals. Before finding that, I looked into the other companies mentioned as being involved from the press releases available online. One was an Italian company, Intercos, that helps with formulating and does not appear to test on animals. The other, Maesa Group, looks like it is primarily involved in the actual manufacture and packaging, not so much the formulation. I assume, and perhaps I shouldn’t, that animal testing doesn’t occur at that phase, thus they would not be testing on animals. Given that, I feel it’s likely that the statement on Flower’s website can be believed…at least in terms of the finished product. As for ingredients and/or suppliers, I cannot tell if they are likely to be involved with animal testing or not.

I’m excited because there are so few easily available and animal-friendly products at drugstore prices these days. Plus, I love Drew Barrymore’s bubbly and enthusiastic attitude, though she would probably irritate the crap out of me in person! 🙂 Hopefully these products will be as good as they seem to claim!

Are you interested in this new line of cosmetics? What would you be most excited to try first? Let me know in the comments because I’d love to know!!!

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Brand Overview

Anastasia Beverly Hills – Profile & Animal Testing Policies

Anastasia Soare is perhaps the definitive brow queen. She has perfected the arches of clients like Oprah, Madonna, Penelope Cruz, Jennifer Lopez and numerous other celebs. Originally trained as an esthetician and fascinated with combining beauty and proportion, she soon developed her own method of shaping the brows which became known as “The Golden Ratio.” This method of shaping the brows soon developed a fierce following due to its transformative abilities to enhance both the brows and the entire eye area. Demand was great enough that Anastasia opened her own salon in Beverly Hills in 1997 and called it, appropriately, Anastasia Beverly Hills. Today, she has created her own line of brow products, skincare and “Youthful Synergy” color products.

The Anastasia Beverly Hills “product philosophy is to innovate products that bring balance and proportion to help women enhance their natural beauty….” In order to bring harmony to one’s natural beauty, Anastasia Beverly Hills blends science with beauty. New formulas and colors are tested by Anastasia herself on actual clients in her salons, helping to ensure that the final product actually works.
Anastasia Beverly Hills is certified by PETA as a company that does NOT test on animals and is not selling in the Chinese market. Her products are now widely available not only at her salons and on her website (www.anastasia.net), but at select department stores and makeup specialty stores like Sephora and Ulta.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Anastasia Beverly Hills in any way, nor have I been compensated for this post.
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Brand Overview

Philosophy Mini Profile & Animal Testing Policies

UPDATE 30 Dec 2013: Philosophy now states that “before we place a product on the market, we assess it thoroughly to ensure that it is safe for human use and for the environment and that it is compliant with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. we do not perform, nor do we ever commission any third parties on our behalf to perform, animal testing on our products or ingredients.” This is very carefully worded, which usually means that they either DO or are planning to contact some kind of animal testing, or to enter markets that require it. Philosophy is likely NOT CRUELTY-FREE!!!
“What is ‘in’ Philosophy jars and bottles can give you better skin. What is ‘on’ Philosophy jars and bottles can inspire better days.”

Philosophy was founded in 1996 by Cristina Carlino to provide women everywhere access to leading skin care technologies. The products are created with only scientifically-proven, medically-accepted ingredients and technologies while carefully watched over by doctors and scientists. “Philosophy is a brand that approaches personal care from a skin care point of view, while celebrating the beauty of the human spirit. We believe in miracles and the beauty in everyone,” says the Philosophy website. Now sporting an extensive line of skin care, bath and body care, fragrance, sun care, lip care and color cosmetics, Philosophy has proven itself many times over.

Philosophy promises to bring to its customers products that inspire them to live a better life by being better to themselves. Each product tells a story. For example, their deliciously true-to-life food scented 3-in-1 shower gels all contain a recipe to create the actual edible item from which the product gets its scent. All products contain a brief inspirational message, often with a slight bit of humor, both describing the products and bringing a smile to one’s face. With carefully chosen packaging, “[Philosophy] use children’s pictures and lower case writing to remind us of the genuine curiosity, wisdom and joy that exists within the childhood consciousness in us all.” Cute, quirky, reminiscent of days gone by, and rooted in the joy of childhood, Philosophy’s branding seems to suit their goal of celebrating the inner child within us all.

Philosophy has never tested on animals. According to an email from the company, “Philosophy only works with vendors and suppliers that uphold our belief in no animal testing. None of our ingredients are presently tested on animals, nor have they been tested on animals since our business was founded in 1996.” They are not currently selling in the Chinese market and are therefore not bound by the potential of animal testing by the Chinese government.

Of relevance to many would be Philosophy’s current parent company, Coty, Inc. Philosophy was acquired by Coty, Inc. in 2010, a company that, I believe until recently, was on PETA’s List of Companies That DO Test on Animals and seems to be controversial to the cruelty-free world. However, Coty, Inc. no longer appears on the List of Companies That DO Test, but it is also not on the List of Companies That DO NOT Test. According to an email from Coty, Inc., “Coty Inc does not perform, nor do we ever commission any third parties on our behalf to perform, testing of our products or ingredients on animals.” Other brands, like OPI, that have been acquired by Coty, Inc. DO appear on PETA’s cruelty-free list so I am unsure why Philosophy does not appear on this list. Why can it be so difficult to navigate all these animal testing policies and the parent company’s policies…assuming you can even find the parent company? Urrrggh!!!
Philosophy products are available practically everywhere that sells beauty and cosmetic items.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Philosophy in any way, nor have I been compensated for this post.
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Brand Overview

Stila Cosmetics – Mini Profile & Animal Testing Policy

*** Stila has changed the wording of their animal testing policy and is no longer considered cruelty-free***
Stila Cosmetics is a cosmetics brand that was created in 1994 by a celebrity makeup artist. Distinguishable by their eco-friendly, no-frills brown cardboard packages, the brand has become a bit of a cult favorite for products like its Lip Glazes and Convertible Color for cheeks and lips, as well as their eye shadow in the fan favorite shade “Kitten.” Also popular are the many palettes Stila creates each year. “Known for its fun, fashion-forward approach to beauty, Stila encourages women to celebrate their own unique beauty and to have fun doing it.” A Stila girl is modern, approachable and, most importantly, individual.

The goal of Stila Cosmetics is to “help every woman celebrate her own unique beauty, to look and feel like the best version of herself and to have fun doing it.” The company also believes everyone should have access to the same top-quality products and tools as professionals so they can look their very best. The brand mixes high style with accessibility by making professional quality formulas that are incredibly easy to use, multi-tasking and available in a variety of fashion-forward shades.
Stila is a cruelty-free eco-friendly company. To help reduce its carbon footprint, Stila strives to formulate and produce its products locally. Their eye shadow trios come in refillable compacts that contain a biodegradable additive that allows it to dissolve over time. The packaging is made from kraft paper which is created by a special process that reduces the amount of wood used to create the paper. The packaging is also 100% recyclable. Stila is a cruelty-free company and they never test their products on animals. They are also on PETA’s list of “Companies The Do Not Test.” And if all this were not enough, the company gives back to the community by working with charitable organizations.
Stila products can be found many places, including:
www.StilaCosmetics.com
www.Sephora.com and retail locations
www.Ulta.com and retail locations
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Stila Cosmetics in any way, nor have I been compensated for this post.
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Brand Overview

Sexy Hair – Mini Profile & Animal Testing Policies

Sexy Hair is a California-based company focusing on a variety of professional hair care products. The company was founded over 10 years ago by Michael O’Rourke and is headed by Karl-Heinz Pitsch. Sexy Hair has a reputation for creating a wide range of products that, according to the company, actually live up to their claims and the company is committed to meeting the needs of its diverse clients. Sexy Hair products can be found in over 36 countries around the world with a line that includes over 60 different hair care products. Sexy Hair does not test its products on animals.

There are eight different lines within the Sexy brand, each with its own unique focus and including Shampoos & Conditioners as well as a wide range of styling products.
Big Sexy Hair is perhaps best known and is notorious for its red cans. Big Sexy Hair focuses on creating volume and fullness while keeping hair moisturized.
Short Sexy Hair is designed specifically for creating unique, high-impact styles giving the customer endless styling options.
Healthy Sexy Hair Soy was created for dry hair and provides nutrition and moisture to combat dry locks.
Healthy Sexy Hair Reinvent caters to those with color-treated hair and is intended to help extend the life of color while caring for and repairing slightly to very damaged hair.
Healthy Sexy Hair Scalp Care creates a well-balanced and healthy scalp.
Curly Sexy Hair nourishes hair with extra-moisturizing ingredients to create smoother, bouncier and more defined curls.
Straight Sexy Hair was created to smooth even the curliest hair while still protecting the hair and locking out humidity and combating frizz.
Silky Sexy Hair provides great conditioning, softness, smoothness and shine for all type and textures of hair.
Sexy Hair also has a “Caring is Sexy” campaign which, in 2010, partnered with Look Good…Feel Better®, a non-profit organization helping over 50,000 women dealing with cancer cope with the traumatic appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. The company produces Special Edition cans that include a code that can be entered to donate $1 to the cause up to $5,000 as well as holds a Walkathon to raise money for the cause.
Sexy Hair Products can be found at salons and Ulta retail locations, as well as www.Ulta.com. Look for Ulta’s Buy 2, Get 2 Free deals that occur once in a while!
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Sexy Hair in any way, nor have I been compensated for this post.
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