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The Cosmetic Industry

The industry of cosmetics in this era is one of the most important. The personal care of women and men is the mission of this industry, which always is searching for the creation of new products, formulations and always trying to give products of high quality.

Around the world, there are a lot of different companies, which are trying to innovate and create attractive, different and high quality products. However, there are some brands that are looked for test its products with different studies, but not experimenting on animals. Some of these brands are the best in the world of the personal care and esthetic.

M.A.C Cosmetics (Makeup Art Cosmetics) it’s a Canadian company created in 1985 in the city of Toronto, Canada for Frank Toscan, a Makeup Artists and Frank Angelo, a Businessman.

M.A.C is one of the most important brands of makeup and cosmetic products. The main reason of the creation of this company was the absence of a mark that was useful for the professional photography. In the past, it was normal that the makeup was wasted in create different effects in the photos, for that, M.A.C is a brand that it’s very exclusive and with a high level of quality.

At the beginning, M.A.C was used just for professionals, but then won prestige around the world. The commercialization of these products was through stands and counters of important stores (Sephora, Ulta) in the U.S and Canada and then around the world. In the actuality, M.A.C is considering the best brand of Makeup in the world and it is used for makeup artists in the cinematography industry, the musical industry, etc.

The reason of the popularity of the brand is the variety of products and the collections. M.A.C has the particular custom of sell exclusive products (like lipsticks, blushes or eye shadows) and then, the most popular of the collections, make it available for the public for an indefinite period. One of these is the “Viva Glam Collection”. Every year, a famous person is chosen to promote the cosmetics that form part of “Viva Glam” and all the money is intended to beneficial corporations. People like Lady Gaga, Elton John, Pamela Anderson, and Lisa Marie Presley were part of this campaign.

Another popular brand is Bobbi Brown. This was created by the American makeup artist of the same name. The story began when she was a promising makeup artist and found a scientific that helped her to create the first dry lipstick. Then the creation of the foundation with a yellow base (which is one of the most famous products of the brand) was the peak of the popularity of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. In 1995, the giant of cosmetics “Estee Lauder” bought the brand and give to Bobbi the creative control of the brand. From the popularity of Bobbi Brown and her makeup brand, she wrote 5 books of makeup.

Finally we have Loreal, this is a giant industry that handles the majority of the most common brands of cosmetics in the world (Maybelline, Lancome, Helena Rubinstein, etc.) It was created in 1907 for the French Chemical Eugene Schueller. The first product of this brand was an inoffensive tint for the hair and then the brand was growing gradually during the years. Nevertheless, Loreal is one of the brands that many times have been inquired for the alleged experimentation on animals and the cruelty that is used on the test of products. Nonetheless, this is being investigated but it is not absolutely sure at all.

The influence of this brand and others in the public (a lot of them feminine) has been huge. In the U.S and the U.K is very usual find girls that like to experiment with makeup, record makeup tutorials, hauls, etc. They are the most common consumers of makeup (approximately 15 to 35 years). It’s common find in the internet girls giving advices to persons who want to know more about new makeup, advices, prices, etc. Also, the consumption of makeup has been growing for the influence of the fashion, magazines and campaigns in television.

It should be noted that most of these products are not tested on animals. This point is very important for the cosmetic industry, because in the past, most of the makeup and cosmetics industries resorted to test on animals things that normally could be proved on volunteers. Currently, the population search for cosmetics and makeup that are mostly cruelty free. Bobbi Brown and M.A.C are brands that are disagree with the experimentation on animals.

Cosmetics and PETA

Certainly, beauty is very important for people, and of course makeup is one of the best ways to enhance it. However, we must take care that the blush we put on our cheeks, the lip-gloss that shines on our lips and nail polish decorating our nails, has not claimed the life of an innocent animal. To warn us of these abuses we have PETA.

PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is the biggest organization that protects the animal rights in the world. This organization has four major concerns in which animals are maltreated: on factory farms, in the clothing trade, in laboratories, and in the entertainment industry. In the makeup business, the most important concern is animal testing in laboratories.

To end this cruelty to animals and to reassure consumers who are against these practices PETA created the PETA’s statement of assurance where companies must fill a short questionnaire and sign making a commitment complying with the regulation which is: the company and the ingredient suppliers cannot do any animal tests on ingredients, formulations, or finished products. If companies want, they can pay for the cruelty-free bunny logo, so the costumers can identify in a better way the products of companies committed to the cause.

Once the companies have signed the agreement with PETA, it is almost impossible to try to cheat their customers, since they risk having serious legal and economic problems. Moreover, these brands would lose its credibility and fame in the world of cosmetics.

This association, protector of animal rights, has all the information available to everyone who wants to know more about how to support the cause and avoid the consumption of products containing materials of animal that have been abused.

More than animals...

Many people around the world own pets, like cats and dogs, which they love and care. But, what would happen if they knew that their dogs and cats are part of what they use on their faces? Some of the ingredients of makeup are made with meat and bones belonging to pets that have been slaughtered. Surely this sounds cruel, but it is a reality unknown to many people who love animals and life.

As a way of acculturating people about the issue of animal ingredients in various products besides cosmetics, the organization created a list of these to help consumers choose according to their preferences.

Here are some components from animals used in the cosmetic industry.

Amino Acids: The building blocks of protein in all animals and plants. In cosmetics, vitamins, supplements, shampoos, etc

Animal Fats and Oils: In foods, cosmetics, etc. Highly allergenic.

Boar Bristles: Hair from wild or captive hogs. In "natural" toothbrushes and bath and shaving brushes.

Carmine Cochineal, Carminic Acid: Red pigment from the crushed female cochineal insect. Reportedly, 70,000 beetles must be killed to produce one pound of this red dye. Used in cosmetics, shampoos, red apple sauce, and other foods (including red lollipops). May cause allergic reaction.

Emu Oil: From flightless ratite birds native to Australia and now factory-farmed. Used in cosmetics and creams.

Fish Scales: Used in shimmery makeup

Gelatin. Gel: Protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones in water. From cows and pigs. Used in shampoos, face masks, and other cosmetics.

Lard: Fat from hog abdomens. In shaving creams, soaps, cosmetics.

Pristane: Obtained from the liver oil of sharks and from whale ambergris. Used as an anti-corrosive agent. In cosmetics.

Stearic Acid: Fat from cows and sheep and from dogs and cats euthanized in animal shelters, etc. Most often refers to a fatty substance taken from the stomachs of pigs. Can be harsh, irritating. Used in cosmetics, hairspray, conditioners, deodorants, creams.

If we read the composition of each ingredient we can clearly see the damage being done to the animals to get them.This list is only a little evidence of the brutality with which living and dead animals are treated.

The people must become more aware of the things we use and consume day by day. Animals are more than pets and raw material suppliers; they also deserve respect even after his death. To inform us, we may count with several global organizations like PETA that guide us on how to take care of us, respecting nature and living things.

Hopefully we can be confident that Mac Cosmetics, Bobby Brown and L’Oreal are included in the list of companies PETA which do not test on animals. So the shoppers of these two successful brands, worldwide recognized, can rest assured that no animal has been injured for the benefit of beauty.