Animal testing is a problem that I would say 99% of the population has contributed to in one way or another.  Every year, more than 100 million animals die in torturous chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics tests around the world. Today, I went through my makeup/beauty collection and disposed of/donated every product that was tested on animals. There are so many cruelty-free brands (vegan also) that are just as sufficient, that have zero effect on the demise of the millions of animals that are suffering in laboratories as you read this.

It really fathoms me that we are living in a day and age where we are still torturing animals to better our materialistic needs. Whether that be makeup, skincare, medical and home products. A life is a life. And we are taking millions of them for completely unnecessary reasons.

Animals are being deafened, having holes drilled into their skulls, bodies cut open and implanted with devices, skin burnt off, tortured until they are mutilated.. and then they are killed. Millions, and millions, and millions of them.

Recently in Australia, there has been a claim to ban all animal testing in the country from July 2017. Thank goodness for that!
Although, that is still an entire year away. In that year more than 6 million animals will be subject to abuse, poison, burning and torture in the country.

I have made a promise to myself that I will not purchase from a brand that has ever tested on animals, even after the legal action takes place. You really cannot trust these money-making businesses. I have had many staff members of brands, entire companies and websites lie about their stance on animal testing. And there has been a lot of speculations on how the new Australian laws will hold up to their words. We’ll have to wait and see.

Beauty is a part of every woman’s life (and man’s too). We use skincare to maintain our youthful appearance, and we apply makeup to ensure that we look our best. So why do we need to be a supplement of torture while simply trying to live up to the high standards that we as women are subject to? Well.. we don’t!

As you can see in this picture, I got rid of a huge amount of product (keep in mind that I have worked in beauty for the last 5 years and have been given an enormous amount of product). I disposed and donated every cosmetic item that I owned that was a product of abuse; from my own collection and from my makeup kit also. There was no holding back. The amount of product that was disposed of would have easily been over the value of $2000. So, I can tell you right now… I have contributed to their demise just as much as you, if not more.
I feel like a brand new person.

You probably didn’t think this post was travel related.. wrong!

When we travel the world, we shop! That’s just how it goes. What I’ve never really thought about, is the impact that shopping elsewhere can actually have on the world; and in this case, the lives of millions of animals. The USA is one of the cruellest due to their harsh system of animal testing. Buying beauty products in America is incredibly popular. Simply because prices can be up to 50% cheaper! New York is a city that encourages tourist shopping due to its elimination of sales tax. We simply go there to shop.

Sephora is a place that thousands of people flock to, to get their cheap beauty products at a price that they would never get at home. But the places where the prices are cheaper, are the places where animals are dying. China, for example, has a legal requirement that all imported cosmetics must be tested on animals. In America, it is a legal requirement to test on animals in a safe and humane manner, although the outcome of the test is the still the number one priority. So let’s just say… it’s not very humane.

If the brand you buy from sells its products in China.. it tests on animals. Just because the product was bought in a country that has banned animal testing, does not mean you aren’t encouraging testing in another part of the world. The brand is the problem, not always the country where you purchase it from.

Brands that test on animals:

Revlon, Rimmel, Max Factor, Maybelline, Neutrogena, Vaseline, Lancome, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Benefit, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Estee Lauder, Clinique, the Sephora brand, Bobbi Brown, Givenchy, Make Up For Ever, and Stila. These brands are incredibly popular for beauty lovers alike – And these are the companies that display cruelty upon another life. Where is the sense in that?

No matter where you are in the world, do your research! Countries to look out for on your travels are USA, China, Japan and Canada.  To see a full list of brands that do/don’t test on animals, visit Peta, Animals Australia or CFK.

Some great brands to get your beauty products from are:

Australis (Vegan), Anastasia Beverly Hills, Becca, Hourglass (fave of mine), Essence, Model Co, Sukin, Amie (fave of mine), Swisse Skincare (amazing message about sustainability), Bare Minerals, Illamasqua and Kat Von D. If you want to learn more, see the entire list of 100% cruelty free products.

You’re kidding yourself if you think that you’ve never contributed to this devastating reality. I have too. Animals are tested on for the pure purpose to ensure that products are safe for human use. But there is proof that there are other ways! Just because we are more developed, does not mean we have the right to torture something without a voice to stop it. We wouldn’t torture a human in such traumatic, debilitating ways; so I really cannot see why we should torture an animal either. No matter how big or small, a life is a life. If you wouldn’t drill a hole through the skull of a living rabbit, you probably shouldn’t buy from a brand that does.

Where ever you are in the world, buy cruelty-free. It’s really not so hard!
I have changed my habits, I’m sure you can too.

[ READ NEXT: The Truth Behind Riding Elephants ]

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