Cruelty Free ALL THE WAY!

I noticed the other day, that the back of tube of lotion from a major manufacturer took the time to designate that "The final product is not tested on animals"... huh???

I know exactly what this means. It is a legal disclaimer that bridges the gap between not testing on animals as the manufacturer, but using ingredients that HAVE been tested on animals by their raw materials suppliers. It's a technicality that has no comforting power for those of us who are animal lovers & want to be certain that what we are using has not in any way contributed to the harm of any animal along the way.

Of course the manufacturer knows this, they just don't think you will catch it.

I have read every MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for every ingredient that is used in the composition of my products. But this is only step one! I then have to research the parent company that produces the specific ingredient to determine if they test any of their ingredients on animals which would then result in my NOT using them as a supplier, even if the specific ingredient I need is not tested. I rely on several Chem Index resources for this information as well as the sales reps for the suppliers I use who supply me with the MSDS sheet straight from the original manufacturer.

It's sticky & here's why: many ingredients have mixed purpous usages since they fall under the category of FD & C (food, drug, & cosmetics).

Here's an interesting fact: a trademarked ingredient used in many lipgloss bases is also used in school/govermental hamburgers so that it helps bind it together & maintain a congruent shape. But I digress.

Spell Cosmetics does not, will not use any ingredient tested on animals, & our final product is 100% Cruelty Free. With the exception of our Gloss Pots, our products are Vegan. A small percentage of Beeswax is used for the Gloss Pots because it helps anchor the density of the pigment load without "bleeding" from body heat. I made this choice over petro based waxes, but that is a blog for another time.

Spell has demonstrated their commitment to being cruelty free by designing a special collection in 2008 for a non-profit group called Marilyn's Voice, who are anti Puppy Mills.

I've said it before & I will say it again now: Principles before Profits!

xoxo~Elle