There is quite literally no reason we should still be subjecting poor, defenseless animals to tests that burn their skin and hair, poison them, make them painfully sick, and so much worse. We now have technology that can provide highly accurate analysis on new ingredients. In recognition of this, many companies are going cruelty-free and halting all animal testing. But as it turns out, the “cruelty-free” label is alarmingly misleading. While some companies don’t test on animals, they still rip out their fur and slice off their skin to make makeup brushes.
The term “cruelty-free” strictly applies to animal testing and nothing else, and therein lies a dangerous loophole. That’s why the label “vegan” is the only way to ensure that innocent creatures aren’t tortured in any way to create a product. As it is, squirrels are hunted, trapped, and then beaten to death or drowned so that their fur can be used to apply your lovely shade of blush. Minks on fur farms, inbred and sick, are kept in cramped cages for their whole lives only to be anally electrocuted to death or killed in other gruesome ways that still preserve their hides for your eyeshadow brushes.
The United States has some of the strongest animal welfare laws in the world, and should lead the way on this issue. Sign the petition and urge Sephora and Ulta, two of the largest beauty supply stores in the U.S., to exclusively carry vegan makeup brushes.