You may think that getting cruelty-free summer products is not easy, but we are here to show you it is as simple as selecting a new item at your favorite shopping hot spot. From managing your mane to getting the perfect pedicure, this summer you can do it cruelty-free. Bonus: you can find these at your local Walmart!
Sun Protection Switch from Neutrogena Beach Defense Broad Spectrum to Alba Botanical Hawaiian Coconut Clear Spray Sunscreen SPF 50 Lip Hydration Switch from classic strawberry Chapstick to Sun Bum Ocean Mint Cocobalm Hair Repair Switch from John Frieda Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Leave in Conditioner to Aussie Hair Insurance Leave in Conditioner Keeping Fresh Switch from Secret Invisible Solid Antiperspirant Deodorant to Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant Deodorant Perfect Pedi Switch from Sally Hansen Hard as Nail Nail Polish to L.A. Colors Color Craze Nail Polish Have a safe summer and Be Free! Kristian
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It’s wedding season! During what should be one of the most exciting celebrations of a lifetime, couples are now faced with a need to change or rearrange plans to meet ongoing coronavirus mitigation practices. Here are a few quick swaps to help keep your big - or now smaller - day, animal friendly!
First, the dress and the shoes! We know that the outfit you choose and the accessories that go with it are important to any soon-to-be newly wed. Look for options free of silk and leather and focus on natural or artificial materials, like taffeta or satin to make a more animal friendly choice. Think this limits your ability to go with a pair of designer shoes? Check out designer brands like Stella McCartney which do not contain any leather, fur or feathers in cruelty-free designs. If a wedding has been downsized and now you have more budget available, it may be tempting to hire a form of animal entertainment - especially as things like dressed up llamas have become a wedding craze (trust us, Google it.) Instead, opt to have a social distancing pet friendly wedding or reception to add some extra fun and personal experience into your special day! Or opt to make a donation to a local animal shelter in lieu of wedding favors. I wouldn’t be able to talk wedding without mentioning my favorite part - make up! Now-a-days it’s relatively easy to find good, cruelty-free cosmetics. Two of the most popular items for a wedding would be a long lasting lip and tear-proof mascara. KVD Vegan Beauty Everlasting lipsticks and Too Faced Better than Sex Waterproof mascara will get you from ceremony to the after party with minimal budgeting. If you want to select a more wallet friendly choice, you can’t go wrong with NYX Lip Lingerie Liquid lipstick and Essence Volume Hero Waterproof mascara. Have fun, and be free! Kristian My Grandparents always used Suave shampoo. It sat on a rack in their basement shower – just a few feet from their Pittsburgh potty. The smell of Suave always reminded me of them.
Both of my Grandparents passed away within the past month. My sister and I stayed at their house the night my Grandma passed away to keep their dog company, and the following morning we took home some memories. A scarf, a picture or two, a mug, their dog, and a few other things. As I was doing a final sweep of their house, I passed their basement shower and saw their last bottle of Suave shampoo and I took it home. It’s a trivial item, but it’s the little things that mean the most to me. Once at home I lamented to myself that Suave shampoo isn’t cruelty-free. But then I Googled it, and actually – it is! Somehow, amidst the news of the coronavirus epidemic and my Grandparents in home hospice, I totally missed the news that Suave went cruelty-free. It was announced on February 12, 2020 that Unilever partnered with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to certify Suave as cruelty-free. Suave joined the growing list of Unilever-owned brands that are now cruelty-free, including Dove, Dermalogica, Murad, REN, Shea Moisture, Seventh Generation, Schmidt’s Naturals, St. Ives, Simple, and Nubian Heritage. Unfortunately, Unilever has not ended cosmetic animal testing completely, but is “working for regulatory change.” In 2018, Unilever entered a partnership with Humane Society International to help it adopt non-animal testing methods. So, you can choose for yourself if you want to support Unilever’s cruelty-free brands. I was relieved to see progress happening. And grateful I not only have wonderful memories of my Grandparents, but that this memory is now cruelty-free. Be Free, Tara As the coronavirus continues to escalate, I think more and more about the victims of the pandemic. The people who have lost their lives to the virus, the current patients, the essential employees on the front lines of the virus, small business owners, the unemployed, my family, my friends – the list is long. One population that most folks don’t think about are laboratory animals. They are impacted by the coronavirus too.
As the virus spreads, research facilities are facing difficult decisions over what to do with research animals amid lockdowns, closures, and shelter-in-place orders. According to the Nature Research Journal, some scientists are able to care for animals in their current operating facilities, with animal care workers taking extra precautions for social distancing. Others have taken animals home or re-released wild-caught specimens. But sadly, many animals have been, or will be, killed - particularly small animals like mice. In our own backyard, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University reports culling 600 mice in recent days. So, this begs the question, are research facilities required to have preparedness plans for laboratory animals? Currently, research facility preparedness plans for animals aren’t federally regulated, but the PREPARED Act could change that. The PREPARED Act, or Providing Responsible Emergency Plans for Animals at Risk of Emerging Disasters Act, would require all facilities that are regulated under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA,) including commercial animal breeders and dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors such as zoos, aquariums and circuses, to “develop, document, and follow a contingency plan to provide for the humane handling, treatment, transportation, housing, and care of its animals in the event of an emergency or disaster.” And as the COVID-19 crisis rapidly escalates, this bill is more important than ever. So what can you do to support this act to help laboratory animals? Please use this link to see if your U.S. Representative is already a cosponsor of this life saving bill. If not, please call or email your U.S. Representative and urge her/him to cosponsor this bill and do all they can to get it passed. In the current climate, it’s so very important that we stay safe and healthy. While we at Be Free PGH take social distancing very seriously, we also know that it can take a bit of a toll on morale. In order to help, we compiled a list of some cruelty-free activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Be Free, Be Safe, and Be Well, Ashley, Colleen, Kristian & Tara Amid multiple state of emergency declarations, Coronavirus COVID-19 hit home as the number of cases across the country increases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended taking certain precautions to help protect yourself and control the spread of the virus. Choose the following cruelty-free options to prepare yourself and your home for the pandemic.
To protect yourself from the virus, the CDC recommends frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Mrs. Meyers Hand Care Basics Sets are a great choice. The sets includes a liquid hand soap and hand lotion in a variety of great scents for under $10. Your local Giant Eagle also has cruelty-free Giant Eagle brand hand soaps for only $1 each. If soap and water is not available, the CDC recommends using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Mrs. Meyers Hand Sanitizing Spray and Whole Foods 365 Hand Sanitizer Gels meet this standard. Don’t forget to pick-up Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Facial Tissues to cover any coughs and sneezes. It is also important to clean and sanitize your home, especially frequently touched surfaces. A diluted mixture of 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water is said to be effective against COVID-19. Cruelty-free and locally manufactured, Austin’s A-1 Bleach is on the EPA’s List N of disinfectants to use against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. You can find Austin's Bleach at Tractor Supply, Big Lots, Kuhn's and other local retailers. We hope everyone stays safe and healthy during this challenging time. We'll all get through this together. Be Free and Be Well, Ashley, Colleen, Kristian & Tara Everyone likes to look their best for St. Paddy’s Day celebrations – or for any celebration for that matter. If you’re looking for stylish, accessible, and cruelty-free products, look no further! For the Perfect Paddy Eye – or the PPE, as I like to call it – I suggest e.l.f.’s Bite-Size Eyeshadow Mini Palette in Hot Jalapeno – it has both the green and the gold! You can find it here on the e.l.f. website. You can also find e.l.f. products at Target and Ulta. To put a final touch on your PPE, use wet n wild’s MegaLiner Liquid Eyeliner in Winged n’ Wild to make the perfect winged effect. You can find it on the wet n wild website. You can also find wet n wild products at Target and Walmart. Now for your lip! To top off an already over the top (of the rainbow) look, try wet n wild’s MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Metallic Lipstick in Shall We Slay. It’s multi-dimensional metallic finish will add a little (pot of) gold finish. You can find it here on the wet n wild website. You can also find wet n wild products at Target and Walmart. May the luck of the Irish be with you!
Be Free – and lucky! Colleen Animal testing - it’s something no one likes to think about. A 2019 survey by SurveyUSA found that 79% of voters in the U.S. would support a federal ban on animal testing. Seemingly, this is an increasingly shared value across generations and party lines. Animals in laboratories are protected by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA.) In short, the AWA requires minimum standards of care and treatment be provided for certain animals bred for commercial sale, used in research, transported commercially, or exhibited to the public. Animals covered by the AWA include dogs, cats, monkeys (nonhuman primate mammals,) guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits. It’s important to note that the AWA does not regulate how animals are used for research purposes, and only sets standards for how they are obtained and maintained at testing facilities (National Anti-Vivisection Society, 2020.) The USDA inspects testing facilities - identifying AWA compliance violations, conducting species counts, interviewing facility representatives, etc. Congress passed an FY20 appropriations bill in December 2019, forcing the USDA make these records visible to the public again after a 3 year blackout. The visibility of these records is immensely important because it allows citizens and consumers the ability to hold the USDA and testing facilities accountable for laboratory animal welfare. Another reason these records are important? It allows us to see what’s happening in our own backyard. For example, the below species counts were found in the USDA records for testing facilities in the Western Pennsylvania area. (No regulated animals were present during recent USDA inspections at other local facilities including the Pittsburgh Career Institute, Sanford Brown, Duquesne University, Slippery Rock University, Indiana University, or St. Vincent College.) Note that J.M. Smucker Co. acquired Ainsworth pet Nutrition in 2018.
Here at BeFreePgh, we try to not to publish things that are too upsetting, so we’ll let you search the USDA inspection records further if you would like to do your own investigating into facility violations and species counts. It’s important to know what’s happening in the world of animal testing – and why it’s so important to buy products that aren’t tested on animals. Be Free, Tara So, you’re looking for a new makeup. It’s important to you that it be cruelty-free, and, as you look over the packaging, for all of the helpful hits (or bunnies), you come across the label vegan. You suddenly think, “ Why on Earth would they label makeup as vegan? Isn’t all makeup vegan?!?” The answer, my dears, is no. Not all makeup is vegan.
Animal products are used in a number of beauty products from makeup to hair products to deodorant. Some are a little more obvious and some are pretty sneaky. In order to help you navigate the ingredient list on your beauty products, below is a list of some common ingredients, origins, uses, and alternative names (AKAs). Beeswax
Carmine
Casein
Collagen
Elastin
Glycerine
Guanine
Keratin
Lanolin
N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Oleic Acid
Shellac
Squalene
Stearic Acid
Honorable Mention: Animal Hair Origins - Animal hair from horses, foxes, squirrels, sable, mink, and goat. Use and Products - Brushes (hair and makeup), false eyelashes Alternatives - Synthetic, cruelty-free brushes I can’t say it enough, it’s progress not perfection with a cruelty-free/vegan lifestyle journey. This list is not meant to be intimidating, it’s simply a tool to help you on your journey. I hope it helps! Be free. Be yourself. Colleen Volunteering in animal rescue I am exposed to all kinds of animal and environmental emergencies. I generally volunteer in cat rescue but run in circles with wildlife rehabilitators and bird rescuers too. On animal rescue missions there is nothing sadder than finding kittens stuck in six pack rings, birds wrapped in fishing line, or wildlife who have eaten balloons and ribbon.
I cringe every single time I see someone release balloons or sky lanterns – because I know the impact these will have when they fall back down to the ground. I empathize with the emotional need to honor a loved one’s memory, which balloon and sky lantern releases often fulfill. So, I have gently started suggesting alternatives to balloon and sky lantern releases – and you can too. Below are some animal and environmentally friendly alternatives to balloon, lantern, butterfly, or dove releases:
Remember that what goes up must come down. We can all kindly and sympathetically encourage grieving family and friends to choose a responsible way to memorialize and honor those who have passed. Be Free, Tara Tis the season to be jolly! Tis also the season to be under the weather… yuck. And what makes someone feel better? A cruelty-free care package! Let’s be honest, you can give a care package for any reason – cold/flu, birth of a child, or even for someone who just doesn’t like to leave their house a lot (who me?!)
Disclaimer: My care packages, although mood elevating, have no medicinal purposes. They are used as a tool to brighten someone’s spirits, not to cure whatever ails them. Care packages should be tailored to fit the individual, but here’s a list of items I like to give, to get you started:
I hope this helps to give you some ideas. Be Free! Colleen Rush, rush, rush. Life is busy. The Holidays tend to keep us even busier. Don't forget to take some time to be mindful and be good to yourself too.
Confession: I often forget to do this… Lexi, owner of LK Skin & Wax, likes to remind me that I’m just as important as the homeless cats I try to help. She is kind, understanding, and cares about your needs and principles. Lexi has created a calm and judgement-free studio in the My Salon Suites on McKnight Road – and best of all, her products are cruelty-free! One of the lines she carries is Hale & Hush. Hale & Hush is the only professional skincare line to focus exclusively on sensitive skin. These products are oncology approved, free of animal testing and common skin irritants and toxins including gluten, sulfates, parabens, artificial fragrances, and harsh preservatives. I’m a frequent customer at LK Skin & Wax for eyebrow waxes and last tints and Lexi also has super fun services like airbrush makeup, coffee facials, and vajacials. If you’ve been looking for a cruelty-free skin and wax salon look no further – go visit Lexi and take advantage of her Holiday specials and featured services. Happy CF Journey! Tara Map courtesy of the National Anti-Vivisection Society.
If you are like me, the thought of dissecting an animal makes your skin crawl and your tummy churn. In my school district, dissecting earthworms, frogs, cats, fetal pigs, and sharks was part of biology curriculums. I was extremely lucky that I was able to opt-out of any kind of animal dissection in school because of something called a Student Choice Law. Pennsylvania’s Student Choice Law was passed in 1992. Dissection, or student choice, laws usually apply to K-12 students and allows students the right to refuse to participate in projects that harm animals - or involve dissection of deceased animals. Instead of dissection, these laws allow students to use alternatives and often require school districts to notify students and/or their parents that dissection is included in the curriculum at the beginning of the school year. Students who don’t want to dissect can contact The Science Bank for alternative learning tools. Parents and educators can reach out on behalf of students as well. Let’s all be grateful that alternatives exist. If you want to learn about how to pass a Student Choice Law in your own state, contact Animalearn today. Happy CF journey! Tara It’s that time of year again – where little people dressed as ghosts, ghouls, and goblins ask for a treat, so you don’t get a trick! Not only does that involve stockpiling treats, while having the self-control not to eat them, but it also means spooky decorations!
Decorating for Halloween is fun, but here are some tips to help make Halloween safe for all little creatures:
Bonus tip/trick: Take a flashlight when trick-or-treating. While we like to be startled on Halloween, wildlife sure doesn’t! A lot of nocturnal animals aren’t use to us humans being out so late, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for them. Be free to have a Happy (and safe) Halloween! Colleen Most folks have heard of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA.) The AWA was signed into law in 1966. It is the only federal law that regulates the treatment of animals in scientific research/testing, exhibition, transport, and by animal dealers. The AWA was not intended to regulate how animals are used for research purposes, but only sets standards for how they are obtained and maintained at a facility. Live dogs, cats, monkeys, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits are covered under the AWA.
But most folks don’t know how the AWA came to be. Enter here Pepper the dalmatian. Pepper was stolen from her family, The Lakavages, in Pennsylvania in 1965. She was sold by an animal dealer to a research hospital in the Bronx and used in a failed cardiac pacemaker test. Days after Pepper’s death, New York Representative Joseph Resnick introduced Pepper’s Law, a dognapping bill that would require government licensing for animal dealers and laboratories that traded dogs and cats, and proposed that the theft of these animals be made a federal offense. Because of Pepper, what started as a bill to prevent pet-napping would evolve into the most comprehensive animal-welfare legislation in U.S. history – the AWA. But, it unfortunately doesn’t end there, folks. As far as we have come, the real Cruella De Vil is alive and well – and still employed. According to the Humane Society of the United States, the majority of animals in laboratories are purpose-bred (bred specifically to be used in testing experiments). People who sell purpose-bred animals are categorized by the USDA as Class A dealers. Some of the dogs and cats used in laboratories are purchased from brokers known as Class B dealers, who acquire animals at rural auctions, free-to-good-home ads, or from various other sources including some animal shelters (a practice known as "pound seizure.”) Pound seizure laws vary from state to state with a few states requiring shelters to give up their animals for use in experiments and some prohibiting the seizure of shelter animals for research. There are other animals used in experiments that are taken from the wild - including monkeys, mice, rats, birds, and frogs for school dissection. So, what can you do to prevent animals from getting into the hands of Class B dealers, and ultimately, into animal testing?
Life certainly isn’t a Disney movie but Walt wasn’t far off when he debuted Cruella’s character in 1961, a mere 4 years before Pepper was stolen for animal testing. Thanks for going cruelty-free, Tara It’s that time of year again… BACK TO SCHOOL!! Seems like just yesterday we were talking about sugar scrubs and sunscreens to get ready for summer, and now it’s already time to pack those backpacks and round up the kids for a ride on the big yellow bus. Back to school shopping is a great a time to teach your kids about making ethical product choices. Many well-known and commonly used school, office, and craft supplies are tested on animals, and may even contain animal by-products. Did you know Crayola crayons contain a derivative of beef tallow (aka beef fat)? Yikes! Animal suffering is not something I want in my coloring book.
Make this school year a happy one for all creatures, with and without fur, by stocking your desk and backpacks with these fun, cruelty-free school and office supply brands. Pilot Pens Pilot has a variety of different pens and writing utensils (including my personal fave, the G2 Gel pen.) Their products are widely available, not tested on animals, and free of animal by-products, making them a more ethical choice than Bic or Papermate. If you want to get extra eco-cool points, check out their B2P pens, the first pens made from recycled water bottles. Get it? B2P - Bottle 2 Pen… pretty clever! Yoobi Yoobi has everything you need for back to school, and are available at Target. Their products are fun and unique, contain no animal by-products, and are never tested on animals. Yoobi is also a do-good company with a motto of “one for you, one for me.” For every Yoobi item purchased, they donate a school supply item to a U.S. classroom in need. Yay for Yoobi! Gorilla We recently featured a blog post about Gorilla Glue and it’s endless DIY, fix-it capabilities. It’s awesome to know that an industrial strength adhesive can also be cruelty-free. And it’s even more awesome that Gorilla’s product line also includes school glue, glue sticks, and tape. Elmer’s Glue This schoolhouse staple is completely synthetic, meaning it does not contain animal parts or by-products. Elmer’s and its direct suppliers also do not conduct animal testing on the finished product or ingredients. *Note: Elmer’s Glue’s parent company, Newell Rubbermaid, is not cruelty free. Martha Stewart Craft Paints It’s no secret Martha Stewart is an animal lover. She has even dedicated episodes of her TV show to vegan living. Martha boasts an extensive line of craft paints, all of which are cruelty-free. Staples Store Brand Staples is a leading office supply retailer, so we were excited to learn their Staples store brand products are not tested on animals. There are tons of different Staples brand office supplies to choose from, and many are sold at a lower price point than the cruel brand name alternative. ArtSkills ArtSkills is a fun arts and craft brand with a product line-up that will have you covered for just about any school project. Poster markers and tools, craft kits, photobooth backdrops, designer duct tape – they have it all. There is even a Science Fair S.O.S section on their website if you need some inspiration. Neither ArtSkills nor any contracted third parties conduct animal testing on any of their products or ingredients. ArtSkills is available at most major retailers. Wee Can Too For the little tykes, check out Wee Can Too’s Veggie Baby vegan art supplies. They offer cruelty-free sidewalk chalk, finger paints, and sculpting dough (that is actually edible, too) made from fruit and veggie powders, and other plant-based ingredients. Although none of these brands test on animals, we always suggest double-checking the ingredients of the specific product you plan to purchase to ensure it is vegan friendly. Cruelty-free class dismissed! Happy CF Journey! Ashley It was wonderful to meet new folks and see familiar faces at the 2019 Pittsburgh VegFest. We absolutely love hearing about your personal cruelty-free journeys and helping along the way where we can. Stay tuned for exciting things happening in the remainder of 2019 and 2020.
See you next year! Ashley, Kristian, Colleen & Tara BeFreePgh will be at VegFest again this year and we hope to see you there! The 2019 VegFest is scheduled for Saturday, August 10, 11am-5pm and is located in the beautiful Allegheny Commons Park East.
We'll have raffle baskets at our booth (cruelty-free beauty, household, and local baskets) and will have cruelty-free makeup and sunscreen for you to try. We are hoping for a sunny day! Please stop by our booth and tell us about your cruelty-free journey. We'd love to hear all about your favorite products. See you soon! Tara, Ashley, Kristian & Colleen I recently found myself at the Dollar Tree in Shaler. When looking around, I came across an amazing find – L.A. COLORS nail polish. There were dozens of colors. In fact, I found every color, in multiple shades, for a dollar. One. Dollar.
Now, I’m not super into makeup. I consider myself made up when I’m wearing mascara and lip balm; however, I’m a nail biter and the only weapon I have to fight that is painting my nails. My Dollar Tree find was nothing short of inspiring. No, literally. I spent at least 30 minutes evaluating which shades I wanted. I couldn’t help but think through what colors went together best, to ensure my accent nails and designs were on fleek. Was this too good to be true? Can a nail polish that only costs a dollar really work that well? I’d say it’s definitely worth the purchase. It’s a little on the thin side, but I am a chronic over-polisher (that’s a word, right). Instead of putting on multiple thin layers, I tend to glop on as much nail polish as possible. L.A. COLORS ensures that I can’t glop. I did have to use two to three coats, but, in the end, the color coverage was fine. It also dried pretty quickly. The color lasted 2 to 3 days without chipping. Other polish might last a little longer than that, but I’ve never really had any polish last longer than 4 or 5 days. Plus, it’s great for people who like to frequently spice up their color choices – like me! Whether you like neutral colors or colors that stand out, whether you wear the same color for 365 days a year or like to change your color every day, L.A. COLORS is a great addition to your repertoire. Now, let’s get painting! Be Free! Colleen I chronically joke that my life is loosely held held together with sticky notes and Outlook meeting invites - it's funny because this is mostly true.
When you have pets and are a foster Mom, stuff happens. Like when not so long ago "someone" knocked my favorite piece of pottery off of our foyer table and broke it in two. I was sad, but learned that Gorilla Glue is cruelty-free! The Gorilla Glue Company, which owns Gorilla Glue and O’Keeffe’s brands, "believes strongly in the inherent rights of animals." Therefore, it is their promise that they have never, and will never, test their products on animals. That made me feel great to learn, because Gorilla Glue fixes a variety of household ailments. So, enjoy life - don't get nervous when your cat gets precariously close to your favorite vase or your dog knocks over your umbrella stand or your child drops their keepsake box - trust Gorilla Glue to be your home's quick-fix solution. Happy CF Journey! Tara Last Friday, June 21st, marked this year’s Summer Solstice. After a damp and dreary June, it seems like Pittsburgh obeyed Mother Nature’s cue, and officially transitioned into Summa, Summa, Summertime! After a week of warm days with the sun shining, I am ready to break out the shorts and flip flops, and head to Sandcastle. But first… I like to give myself a little “once-over” so I can look and feel refreshed for the new season. Here are a few of my favorite beauty hacks that will help you transition out of the long wintry, rainy months.
EXFOLIATE Exfoliating your skin helps to remove dead skin cells, increase circulation, and improve skin cell turnover, which leads to more healthy, glowing skin. To re-introduce my skin to summer, I like to take a two-fold approach: dry brushing followed by a caffeinated body scrub. Dry brushing is essentially brushing your skin with a coarse bristle brush to exfoliate and detoxify your largest organ. Before I jump in the shower, I slough away dead skin and impurities with my vegan friendly brush by Yerba Prima that I picked up at a local health food store for about $10. There are actually quite a few health benefits that come along with dry brushing. To learn more about the benefits and techniques of dry brushing, check out this article on Rutz Naturals blog. Forget the scrubs at the store, you can whip up an awesome caffeinated body scrub right in your kitchen. Caffeine will provide antioxidants and help to tighten your skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite, which is a major plus for swimsuit season. Vigorously massage the scrub onto your body to reveal smoother, refreshed skin. DIY Caffeinated Body Scrub
THE SUNLESS TAN It’s no secret tanning beds are bad. Avoid the risk of skin cancer and premature aging by using a sunless self tanner to give your skin a sun kissed appearance. My go-to brand for the past 10+ years is St. Tropez. It’s widely available, cruelty-free, and they have a large variety of vegan friendly tanning options. This hack is great if you ever feel like your legs are looking a little pasty or you need to blend some crazy lines. Mix a few dashes of bronzer or drops of foundation into your moisturizer. I like Shea Moistures Illuminating Body Lotion because it absorbs nicely into skin, mixed with few drops of EFL foundation, and finished off with a quick brush of The Body Shop’s Brush on Bronze beads. The powdered bronzer helps to set the lotion, so doesn’t rub off onto my clothes or smear. BEACH WAVES I love letting my hair go free and natural in the summer. A nice sea salt spray is always a staple in my beach bag, and pretty much defines my weekend hair routine. There are some great ethical beach wave sprays on market, or you can make your own. I am a fan of simple DIY products because I have control over exactly what I put into it. On the marketplace, check out Herbivore Botanicals Sea Mist Texturizing Spray or Pacifica’s Salty Waves Texture Spray. If you prefer to make your own, try out the mixture below: DIY Beach Wave Spray
We hope this will help you kick off your cruelty-free summer beauty routine. What are some of your favorite compassionate summer beauty hacks? Happy CF Journey! Ashley It's Wedding Season! Whether we like to admit it or not, a lot of us experience some form of perspiration when attending a wedding - especially an outdoor summer wedding. This can come in the form of face oil, sweat, and of course tears. We are here to help keep you looking just the right amount of glistening for your summer soirée.
First, know your skin. It may be tempting to skip moisturizing when you know that your skin will become oily, but not moisturizing will set you up for even more oily skin. If your skin is on the dry side, opt for a 24 hour moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants that will keep the skin hydrated and protected well into the late-night dancing hours. Also, say it with me, this is not the day to experiment with a full coverage, heavy foundation. Think of just amping up your normal beauty routine one or two steps - not from tinted moisturizer to full coverage matte foundation. Next, think essentials. Add a few items into your normal routine that will keep the longevity of your look while also standing up to any tears. I like to use a setting spray, specifically the All Nighter Summer Solstice Setting Spray by Urban Decay. Since you’ll most likely be eating, drinking and taking photos, a long lasting lip is a must. Kat Von D’s Everlasting Liquid Lipstick are perfect for an all day affair. Lastly, I would suggest adding a pop to your lashes. I like to do a faux mink strip of lashes on top with a waterproof mascara underneath like, Palladio’s Aquaforce Waterproof Mascara. Happy CF Journey! Kristian Happy Father's Day out there to all Dads - human and furry alike!
Still need to get Dad some cruelty-free gifts? Check out this list of everything your Dad never knew he needed! Beard Grooming Kit Shaving Kit Hugo Boss Pineapple Leather Shoes Vegan Messenger Laptop Bag Thug Kitchen Cookbook Cannabliss Skincare Make a Vegan Outdoor Adventure Swag Bag Cruelty-free Deodorant Cruelty-free Cologne Bento-style Lunchbox Looking for some great #Dadjokes, don't forget to check out Herbsmith's Dad Jokes: Animal Edition! Be Free! ~Ashley & Colleen Mulching my yard for 6 hours on a hot, sunny, humid Pittsburgh day reminded me of the importance of sunscreen for someone with translucent skin – like me.
I had been on the hunt for cruelty-free sunscreen that works and I’m grateful to have found Sun Bum and Rhonda Allison - both are tested on humans, not animals. Since I have rosacea, I use the Rhonda Allison Daytime Defense sun protection on my face, and then use Sun Bum on all body areas. Rhonda Allison products were suggested to me by my medical aesthetician at Avanti Skin Center and the sunscreen works great on my sensitive face. These products are plant derived, not tested on animals, and the company has an overall commitment to going green and sustainability. A few of their products do contain animal ingredients, but those are listed on their Ingredient Awareness page. Rhonda Allison products can only be purchased at select retailers. Sun Bum is more widely available and some of you may have already tried it - it can be found at Target, Ulta, CVS, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Amazon, just to name a few retailers. All Sun Bum products are not tested on animals, most of their products are vegan though some lip balms contain beeswax (they are working on converting to synthetic beeswax,) and all products that are reef safe are clearly labeled. Sun protection is so important, even on cloudy days. This cruelty-free combination has worked for me for 2 seasons while gardening, on the Monongahela River, and on the Caribbean Sea. Have a great Summer! Happy CF Journey! Tara Mother’s Day is this weekend! If you have not yet found the perfect gift for Mom, never fear…we have some great cruelty-free gift ideas that are sure to make her smile. This year, honor your Mom with a gift that is both kind and ethical from to beginning to end.
Pamper Yourself Home Spa Gift Basket Of course you could always by a pre-packaged gift set, but why not build your own custom basket tailored specifically for your mom? There are a ton of vegan and cruelty free bath and beauty brands available at Target, so you can by all the supplies in one stop. Bath bombs, sheet masks, sugar scrub, body butter, and a relaxing pillow spray are just a few ideas you could include in your basket. Skincare Gift Set Skincare gifts are always a win for the women in my family. I also love multi-tasking my gifts to not only show appreciation, but also as way introduce someone to my fave cruelty-free products. Tell mom to step away from the traditional unethical go-to’s, and try out some of the awesome brands that do not harm or use animals to create a great products that work! Browse Ahava (one of our faves) entire section of gift ideas for mom or check out the bundles offered by Skyn Iceland. Vegan Leather Tote The perfect gift for the mom on the go! Give your mom a high-quality vegan leather handbag or tote that is both functional and fashionable. We are talking about the rubbery vinyl faux-leather of yesteryear. Today’s vegan leather is being derived from sustainable materials (pineapple skins, cork, and other recycled resources), and bringing leather-looking fashion and accessories to a new level. Browse the collections of Matt & Nat (with linings made from recycled plastic bottles!), Angela Roi, and Eve Cork – just to name a few! Spa or Salon Gift Card Whether it is a soothing massage, fresh haircut, or revitalizing facial, pamper your mom with a gift card to compassionate salon or spa in your area. Available services and product lines can often change and may vary between stylists and providers within a location, so be sure to ask a few questions to confirm the treatment or products used are CF and vegan before you purchase your gift card. **If you have a favorite salon, spa, or cosmetology professional that provides CF, vegan services, let us know! We love connecting with like-minded businesses. Ethical Jewelry Give your mother a beautiful gift that gives back to our Mother Earth and her creatures.
Essential Oil Kit Give your mom the gift of aromatherapy and wellness with an essential oil set and diffuser. Essential oils are naturally cruelty free and vegan since they are essentially the concentrated version of plant oils, however, those qualities can be lost in manufacturing so it important to verify the ingredients and animal testing status before you purchase. Root oils are all vegan friendly, and EO and doTerra are cruelty free, widely available, and offer vegan options. Beauty Box Subscription The gift that keeps on giving! Treat your mom to a special delivery every month (or quarter) with a cruelty-free box beauty subscription. There are plenty of great options that are both cruelty-free and vegan friendly. The fun thing about box subscriptions is your mom will be able to try a variety of CF brands and products, and some box companies even offer customizable options.
Perfume For the scent queens, pick up a bottle of compassionate perfume. Pacifica perfumes range from floral to musky and are readily available at Target. Skylar and La Labo Fragrances are higher-end options that are worth giving a try…and they offer some great home fragrances, too! Vegan Friendly Wine Help mom relax with a nice bottle (or two!) of wine. Whether it is a subtle white, deep red, or bubbles, you can browse the extensive directory of wine and spirits on Barnivore to find a delightful vegan vino that your mom will enjoy. Farm Sanctuary “Field Trip” Spend the day with your mom enjoying the outdoors and meeting rescued farm animals at a farm sanctuary. Maybe even treat her to a yummy vegan lunch after your tour. Locally in Pittsburgh, Hope Haven Farm is in the North Hills and offers scheduled tours during the warmer months. We hope this guide helps you find the perfect gift for the matriarch in your family. Your mother can rest assured no animals were harmed in the making of her gift. If you have another plan for your Mother’s Day gift, you can still flex your cruelty-free muscles by making a purchase through Amazon Smile to benefit an organization taking a stand against senseless animal testing, such as the Beagle Freedom Project, American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS), and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). Wishing a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms (including those whose kids have fur)! Ashley & Colleen |
AuthorThis blog is written by Colleen, Kristian, Ashley & Tara. Our purpose is to share our cruelty-free journey with you, including our successes and not-so-successes. We hope a cruelty-free lifestyle can be attainable, affordable, and easy for all. |