The Cruelty Free Bunny Trapped Me

That is the question. If you read my blog and you know me at all, you will already know the answer is.....drumroll.... NO.
I bet some of you already knew this fact. Sadly I did not. I was fooled by the cute little bunny on the packaging last week when I purchased some makeup at my work. I had been completely out of eyeliner and mascara for a few weeks and just wasn't wearing makeup. I wear makeup because I think it's fun. Plus, I do look like a 12 year little girl without it. I know I don't need it and when I do wear it I don't feel like it's a lot. Even one of my co-workers was shocked one day when I told her I had liquid eyeliner on.

Being a fairly new vegan I feel like I learn new facts and information almost daily. Whether it's from my blogger friends or searching the web. PETA has an amazing list of companies that DO and DO NOT test on animals. They also add little V's next to the companies that actually are vegan or have vegan product options. Why didn't I just do this in the first place??? So what makeup did I buy which then caused me to type this post? Wet N Wild. Which actually seems harder and harder to find now a days. I love their black liquid eyeliner and I have used it for years! I'm a pretty sure it's safe to say it started in 1995 because of Gwen Stefani...


So that's like a million years ago so by now I have mastered the art of liquid eyeliner. I love it. I assume that I'm not the only person who falls for the cute cruelty free bunny! I assumed if something isn't animal tested that is wouldn't have animal by products in it. FAIL. Now that I actually think about it, I feel dumb for thinking that. I just thought that cute bunny would always be my friend. Pretty much every product I buy now is "not animal tested". My shampoo bottle has the cute little bunny logo on it but also says "cruelty free and vegan". That's when I made the connection that something might be wrong with my makeup. I grabbed the makeup packaging and starting searching some of the crazy terms and words that most people don't understand. It kinda makes your brain hurt to even look at it...


I did a Google search for animal by products in makeup. I found this website that had a simple list of about 6 ingredients to look for. Here is what it says about Stearic Acid:

Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid often taken from animals including cows, sheep, pigs and, according to PETA, even euthanized dogs and cats from animal shelters. You may see stearic acid listed on ingredients lists as Stearamide, Stearamine, Stearates, Stearic Hydrazide, Stearone, Stearoxytrimethylsilane, Stearoyl Lactylic Acid, Stearyl Betaine or Stearyl Imidazoline. It can be found in cosmetics, soaps, hairspray, conditioners, deodorants, facial cleansers and creams. Stearic acids can also be found in many vegetable fats.

It is good however to read that last line that says it can also be from vegetable fats. How do I know which version Wet N Wild uses in their products? Here I go assuming again,....I'm going to say the animal fat since the package doesn't say vegan on it. I could call them but honestly I find it better to just support vegan businesses and products. I shouldn't have to guess or Google search what things are. None of us should really have to do that. Lets check out what Carmine is:

Carmine, also referred to as cochineal or carminic acid, is a red pigment obtained by crushing tens of thousands of female cochineal insects. This colouring is used in cosmetics, shampoos and food dyes. Beet juice or alkanet root are non-toxic options for those who may have allergic reactions to carmine.

WHAT!?! This is craziness. I don't want bugs to be crushed just so my body wash or eyeliner can be colored. Call me crazy, but I don't think this is right. I find it simply unnecessary. I had heard of bugs being used for coloring before and I guess I shouldn't be surprised it's in my makeup. I'm sure many people would just say they are bugs, but to me it's just not right. Technology is way more advanced then this. Animal testing and killing bugs for dye STILL, really? I just don't want to eat or wear animals. That simple. I will miss my Wet N Wild products, but I know I will find something new. I'm not picky as long as it doesn't involve animals being harmed and it works. (and I love purple eyeliner and shadow.)


On another note, I can't say that Wet N Wild has bad products. They actually are good products that serve their purpose at an affordable price. It's just not the right product for me anymore. I simply can't say that I am vegan and then put animal fat on my eyelids. Something about that doesn't feel right for me. I do find it frustrating that all of us are basically forced to purchase items that have the animal by products in them or that ARE animal tested. I only say forced because most stores that we all shop at only offer the typical brands. You know Cover Girl, Revlon, etc..

This isn't just a vegan issue either. Many animals that are tested on are cats and dogs. I know this because a friend in Ohio adopted a cat who had been animal tested at P&G it's entire life. It's just heart breaking. I believe that your dollar counts as a vote every time you spend it. Buying products that are NOT animal tested does send a message to the companies. It's a message that all animal lovers can send!

A few months back I posted a video of some Beagles that had never been out of cages.
They had spent their entire lives as test animals. See that video HERE.
I am looking into purchasing some Urban Decay Makeup. Have you ever tried it?
Do you know of any good vegan or non animal testing makeup products?

Link to PETA list of animal testing companies HERE.