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Eric Ward

As of late June, 2018, Canada has reached the official halfway mark towards becoming a cruelty-free cosmetics marketplace. Bill S-214, the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act, has received an endorsement from Senate and is now on its way to the House of Commons. If the bill is passed, the act will ban the testing of domestic animals for cosmetic purposes and the sale of any new cosmetics that have undergone new animal testing after the bill becomes law.

While we are extremely pleased to see this (finally) come to play, it is important for the conscientious consumer to remember that should the bill pass and become law, we still have the buying power to boycott brands that choose to conduct animal testing in other markets

For example, any large brand that you love and support and buy in Canada could still be selling their product in China, where their product has to undergo animal testing due to government requirements. Case in point, in a controversial move last year NARS started animal testing so they could sell in China. Regardless of whether a brand conducts in-house animal testing or contracts the animal testing out to a third party in order to be sold in China, their cosmetics are being tested on animals in a cruel fashion for capital gain.

Therefore, by purchasing NARS in Canada, where their products must be cruelty-free by law, one is supporting their acts of cruelty on animals. Other brands that are still conducing animal testing in order to be sold in China include Revlon, Estee Lauder, L’Oreal, Johnson&Johnson, and more. By purchasing these products in Canada, we are essentially ok-ing practices in other markets.

We are 100% proud and supportive of B S-214 and all the immense efforts that have gone into getting it to the House of Commons. Canada is setting an example for other cosmetic markets and joining the likes of Norway, Europe, Israel and India that has banned animal testing completely. We do however want consumers to remain conscious about how powerful their wallets are. With many amazing independent brands having adapted cruelty-free ethos from the start and becoming only more accessible, there’s no better time than now to clean up your beauty routine and positively impact the planet and the lives of our little animal friends, even those in other countries.

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So your kale is organic, your chakras are open and free-flowing positive energy. You’re rocking two to three Hatha yoga classes a week and at least one meditation sesh. You’re in alignment and ready to radiate your vibrations into the world with a fresh face. All great stuff.

While we may be killing it in our self-care and self-love practices through our movement and consuming routines, where are we at when it comes to our make up and beauty products? And how can this affect our energy and flow, along with our inner and outer glow?

There’s no doubt that when we take the time to toss away old make up and ancient lotions from our cabinets, we naturally feel lighter. That said, the products we purchase to replace old ones can have a direct affect on our inner vibrations and feelings of self-love and self-care. As we are enter an age of awareness and re-awakening, it’s never been more important re-evaluate old purchasing habits, ensuring that what we are buying to make us beautiful comes from compassion and love.

Simply put, if the products you are purchasing for your beauty and self-care come from a place or company that focuses on humane practices and respect for the earth, for you as a consumer, and for our dear animal friends, you are more able to project and manifest compassion and love, both for yourself, the world we live in and for our companion beings.

And what’s more beautiful than love?

Below are quick ways to get started on your mindful beauty journey.

Is It Cruelty-Free? Like Really? 

Image from Ethical Elephant 

As individuals, it is important that we understand our own purchasing power. There is nothing beautiful about a beauty brand that tests or allows its product to be tested on animals by a third party. As conscious consumers, we must be aware of the fact that global corporate companies may try to work with consumer naivety and use phrases like “Against Animal Testing” or “We Do Not Test on Animals Unless Where Required By Law”, neither phrase means that a company’s product is not tested on animals. Any brand that sells in China, for example, is tested on animals, whether it is by the company directly or not. Companies that choose to sell their products in China know that this is a consequence of that decision.

Our favourite source for knowing which brands are still testing on animals is Cruelty-Free Kitty. The site also makes a ton of great recommendations on good brands that are animal friendly. Always look out for the lovely Cruelty-Free Bunny label and check out this post from Ethical Elephant on the differences between each label.

Is It Even Good For You? 

It’s no secret that companies have been filling beauty products with chemicals and not-so-good-for-us ingredients for years. This is where a company’s respect for their consumers really come into play. A company that is selling you toxic fillers to make a profit does not care about you. By purchasing these products because they are cheaper or better advertised due to high marketing budgets and sexy spokespeople we are allowing large corporations to dictate our self-worth.

Clean beauty has never been more accessible, with more and more companies developing highly effective products without the use of parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances or colours, peg ingredients or phenoxyethanol.

Apps like Think Dirty are an excellent tool to get a quick and easy-to-understand reading on your beauty product purchases. Another great site to check out is EWG that offers a straight-forward guide to what’s in your lifestyle products, everything from home cleaners to mascaras. You can also shop at places that have done the homework for you, and offer a curation of the best in clean beauty like Clementine Fields or Well.ca.

The Outside Counts

Making a conscientious move to purchase products sold in sustainable packaging can go a long way. Look for recyclable bottles, boxes and containers. In addition, more and more beauty brands are working with sustainable, natural ingredients, spearheading the green beauty industry. Companies like Detox Market offer the world’s best selection in green beauty, with high-end products that surpass the offerings of your local drugstore both in quality and sustainability.

It’s literally never been a better time to be mindful in your beauty choices. The quality and selection of clean, green beauty brands continues to grow so we can embrace and enhance our natural beauty with loving products.