Heartbroken by MAC

81 Comments

1. Friend, I sent my e-mail. I hope they change this, because I’m very disappointed too. Beside sending an e-mail, should we make a petition?

2. Thank you for the emails, I just wrote to them. I signed the petition against Urban Decay, also becoming NON cruelty free anymore, but I didn’t know how to express my opinion to Mac so thank you for the Link. I have been also posting in my blog recently about it. Im no longer buying from them, I think its disgusting applying a lipstick knowing that a lot of animals have been mistreated and killed for it.
   Thanks again!

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4. Got your email, thanks!

   Did a post about it and linked you with your letter here

   http://www.venuslovesvirgo.com/2012/04/need-help-email-mac-ask-them-to-go.html

   I’m upset that MAC duped me and that i purchased a few items form them this year. I even recently got a few shadows as a gift but I can’t send them back to the store because they were gifts. I don’t want to be rude to the sender but I will NEVER buy MAC every again.

   I AM SO MAD THEY JUST RELEASED THIS NEWS! The changed last year, so frustrating.

   Thanks again for the use of your letter XOXO

5. Hi,

   I edit Venus Loves Virgo (cruelty free) and want to know can I do a post telling my subscribers to contact MAC with your template letter? I will credit you

   A fabulous idea XOXO

6. I personally don’t like using Peta’s list just because they allow companies that are owned by parent companies that test to be on their “good” list…I would recommend checking out VeggieBeauty’s list: http://veggiebeauty.com/my-cruelty-free-list it’s amazing and she does a lot of research into a company before saying it’s cruelty free. Sorry in advance if this came out as judgmental in any way.

7. Pingback: Handwritten Letter to MAC | The Beauty Blog Network
8. Pingback: Handwritten Letter to MAC | Beauty Blog, Mineral Makeup, How to Apply Eyeshadow, Makeup Reviews | Phyrra

9. MAC has been going downhill for years now. This really does not surprise me.

10. I am not pro animal testing. I can’t however understand how people are upset by this, and are going to different social media’s with anger over the news knowing that they will continue to use the products.

    The way I see it, if someone is truely upset and disgusted by this, they will take their products and send them back to MAC. Refusing to use anything from the company. A form of protest if you will.

    If you continue to use the products, then you are in fact supporting the act of testing on animals. And it kind of deminishes your arguement.

    I am not trying to be hateful, so please don’t take me that way, but it feels kind of fake to see people on a crusade against MAC while wearing MAC.

    1. I want to add that I am not saying that I am talking about people here or the author of this post.

    2. Well let’s see, the MAC Phyrra owns was already purchased and paid for while the company was cruelty free. Continuing to use an already paid for cruelty free product is fine, especially since she can put a disclaimer on any post using MAC that the products used were purchased when the company was cruelty free and that she no longer supports the company b/c it is no longer cruelty free. It’s not in conflict with her values,or supporting animal testing in any way to continue to use their cruelty free merchandise, it’s fiscally responsible. Not giving MAC any more money is the protest. That’s how companies know you are protesting-you stop giving them more money. MAC doesn’t care if Phyrra uses old MAC products because they already got her money for them.
       I never recall Phyrra mounting a crusade against MAC, just that she was disheartened that they have changed their cruelty free stance. She can still object to their decision and use her original, cruelty free MAC products.

       1. I also stated that I was not refering to Phyrra (the author of this post). As well as not talking to the people who have left comments here as I do not know them. I, however, have seen people in other social mediums do what I have said.

          People have went on “crusades” on blogs/twitter etc..but then talk about products they recently purchased/received from MAC a day or two later. Being glad and excited that they got them, with no hint of their outrage. My original post was in reference to that. I do think if someone is authentic then why use the products at all.

          We do not know exactly how long MAC has been testing on animals, we only know that they just recently been “caught”. And we can all count that it has been awhile and any purchases in the past month or longer is “tainted” due to the testing. If one doesn’t like testing on animals then one wouldn’t use the products regardless if it was already purchased, solely based on principle. MAC does have a return policy after all. The more money they have to refund the more clear the protest. That is the thought that keeps popping in my head.

          This is all simply my observation, and I stated that I had no ill intent towards people here. And I most certainly wasn’t speaking against Phyrra.

          I do apologize if I came across as hostile in my first post, it was not my intent, and I did not see that I was.

          1. Hi Heather,

             Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. You’re certainly entitled to yours and how you yourself want to handle this situation with MAC.

             For me, I’ve been purchasing from MAC for over a decade. From what I can tell, it is only in the past few months that they switched to testing. I only found out a few days ago. So for me, I will not ‘send back’ thousands of dollars of products. I feel it pertinent to point out that I have never been sent MAC products for consideration or review purposes. I have purchased or been gifted with all the MAC products that I own.

             I have, however, made a decision to not purchase from MAC again, unless their policy on testing changes.

             Will I go around and leave comments on other people’s blogs telling them they need to throw away MAC or boycott MAC? No.

             Will I go around and judge other people for how they handle a situation like this? No.

             Will I say ‘if you feel passionate about this, consider writing MAC?’ Yes.

             Will I refuse to read blogs that feature MAC? No.

             Will I choose to feature MAC myself? No.

             What will I do? What I’ve done: Write letters telling MAC I don’t like their recent change. Refuse to buy new MAC unless that policy changes again.

             You did come across as hostile.

             Logical Harmony, the site that originally posted about MAC, emailed MAC a few months ago and was told that they were not testing. When she emailed them again recently they had changed their stance. She emails companies frequently to keep track of who is cruelty-free and vegan by her standards.

             1. I apologized if I came across that way as it was not my intent.

                And that I was not directing my post at you or any other poster here, I was sharing my experience since this news came about. I also wasn’t implying that people should throw products away, but maybe return for a refund if purchased in the past 30 days (MAC return policy) That would speaks volumes to MAC in my opinion.

                I suppose I shared my thoughts on the wrong forum and for that I am sorry and you may delete my posts so as not to clutter or distract from your blog.

    3. Acually, sending products back to Mac may not be such a bad idea. They made claims that they dont test on animals, and to me (I’m probably wrong here), that is false advertising. I wonder what would happen if everyone demanded their money back? I don’t own any Mac products, or I would try it.

       1. I do agree that anyone who purchased products recently and is upset should return them. Why not? It will help to further send MAC the message that their change in testing policy isn’t okay.

11. I have exactly one MAC item–Bad Fairy nailpolish. And while I love Indie I don’t always check about cruelty free. (Don’t hate me)

    But I am so sorry, Phyrra, and all of you who have been supporters. Bravo to you all for acting on your beliefs, that is not always easy to do (I’m struggling with that for a different company, for different reasons).

    *HUGS*

    Ironically I remember when I was in college (20 years ago, hush) and PETA was enacting boycotts on Revlon, I think. I just remember signing lots of petitions and seeing lots of horrible photos. It would seem it worked, that Revlon is cruelty free?

    Fight the good fight!

12. I guess this answers the question about whether I’m getting the LE MUFE eyeliner or the permanent MAC dupe. MUFE it is!

13. I think the saddest part of the entire issue is the INGREDIENTS that are put into cosmetics to begin with. We wouldn’t have to worry about animal testing, human testing, any kind of testing, if the INGREDIENTS used for cosmetics were safe substances and not terrible, harsh chemicals.

    Please don’t anyone take this comment to mean that I don’t care about the animals being tested. I do. I gave up on MAC (and several of the other companies mentioned) long ago because of their ingredients, and I don’t understand how companies still get away with selling cosmetics that have ingredients that have been shown to harm their lab animals.

14. I intend on writing, but please keep us updated 🙂 This makes me want to destash all my mac… I don’t buy from any company that tests on animals.

15. I’ll look forward the reply they will give you…

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17. This is crazy! Thank you so much for sharing this, Phyrra. I’ll be spreading the word out to my friends. Hopefully they’ll get enough critical responses to change their current stance and go back to being a cruelty-free company.

    1. Thank you for spreading the word!

18. This is very sad. It’s a shame that China *requires* animal testing to sell there, and even sadder that a company would compromise anti-cruelty values just to make more money. I understand that China is a huge market, but I can’t support a company who would test on animals. Those of us who prefer not to buy products tested on animals are going to have to be more vigilant about the companies we give our money to.

    1. I’m not sure I even understand why China is requiring animal testing now, when they never used to.

19. For me, the main issue here is the fact that they have effectively hidden this policy change.

    MAC and Estee Lauder know perfectly well that MAC’s previous policy was 100% cruelty-free. To suddenly change that policy without making it known is, in my opinion, the equivalent of LYING to their customers.

    Yes, Cover Girl tests on animals. But they never claimed not to. Therein lies the difference.

    1. It does feel like it was hidden. It does feel like we were lied to.

       1. I’m also getting a lot of people who don’t seem to think that testing in order to sell in China is a big deal. In my mind, testing is testing. Why start now?

    2. I agree. I honestly have more respect for companies that can at least be up front about it than ones who try to hide it.

20. Thank you for writing this post Phyrra. I’m really deeply saddened by the fact that MAC tests on animals, and unless they change the policy, I will no longer be a MAC customer.

    1. You’re welcome Vijaya.

21. thanks for responding phyrra. That wasn’t really conveyed in your post and I appreciate the clarification. I understand that MAC is very personal to a lot of us. It still doesn’t make sense to me that youll use a lot of other products that are tested on animals but that’s what makes the world go round – different thoughts and views.

    When did you get that response from Nars? I ask because it was brought to my attention that they are no longer on the “do not test on animals” list on PETA and they’ve put themselves in the same category that MAC has — only testing on animals “when required by law.”

22. Don’t understand why is there a need now to test on animals when they’ve been doing without it for decades! I hope they take your email seriously and I bet you’re not the only person who will be writing in regarding this issue.

    1. It’s so they can sell in China, at least that’s the information that we’re seeing online.

23. I totally agree with you Phyrra. You’ve summed up my own feelings precisely. Within the last month or so I’ve decided to become a vegetarian and to also veganize my beauty products (this was prior to finding this info out myself) and this and Mary Kay made me sick to my stomach. I’m a consultant for Mk for fun I don’t do a lot of business and I feel these companies are large enough that if they truly believe in not testing they could choose not to sell in china. I am letting my consultantship lapse.

    I’ve heard her conflicting info on nars as to their status. I’ve been sticking to urban decay, stila, smashbox, tarte and my indie companies.

    1. Elf and too faced too.

    2. I’m always amazed that Revlon is able to not test, but others have to.

       1. Me too.

          Btw I remembered why my nars info was conflicting. They’re owned by shiseido and shiseido does test on animals.

24. Wow has MAC gone backwards or what? Ridiculous. In this days they MUST know this will hurt them at least a little, when so many popular brands have already quit experimenting to improve their image. Me I can easily stop buying MAC and except for 2 eyeshadows wouldn’t miss them, so I will.
    As much as I love make up, I find it unbelievable that animals need to suffer because we want to put pretty colours in our bodies. It makes me really mad, because medical science already does horrible experiments but I’m shelfish and think if it’s saving lives it’ll be worth it… to a point. So I am conflicted ther. If people making creams, perfumes and cosmetics think those things are worth torturing animals, then I just plain don’t understand their priorities, given that we already have millions or beauty products already safe and tested that couldn’t try in a hundred lives if we wanted to. Going to send an email, doubt it’ll make a change. Thanks for telling Phyrra!

    1. It does really feel like a giant step backwards.

25. I’m pretty sure NARS is cruelty free. I had a PR rep send me a statement.

    Official statement: Nars does not test on animals, nor do we have any other parties, including our suppliers, conduct animal testing on our behalf. Nars uses only the highest quality ingredients which have a proven safety record and are widely used in the cosmetics industry.

    Read more: http://www.mybeautybunny.com/cruelty-free-beauty

    1. Thank you so much for sharing this Jen! I really appreciate knowing NARS’ stance on the issue.

    2. Regarding Nars, they are owned by Shiseido which is publicly known to test on animals. So if you buy Nars, the profits go back to Shisedo. There are a lot of companies that claim cruelty-free in statements, back of products, etc. but are not “truly” cruelty-free. Take for example, Laura Geller. They claim to not test on animals, but a closer look reveals they do not monitor their suppliers at all. I know that as they directly emailed me that response. I’m not a “Geller girl” over their apathetic attitude.

       This is truly a personal choice on how far you go with a boycott. I follow the PETA guidelnes for the most part. The issue with Estee Lauder is that they sold their soul for company profits and figured their consumers wouldn’t care. WRONG! And what is worse about them (Poor Estee would not have approved) is that they are not trying AT ALL to work with the Chinese to improve standards and encourage alternatives. Avon and Mary Kay, although now back on the bad list, are at least making attempts. I will still boycott them, but I have a bit more respect for them for their efforts.

       The bottom line is this: There are enough truly cruelty-free, PETA-endorsed companies, like Tarte, Josie Maran, Too Faced, IT Cosmetics and a long list of others from caringconsumer.org, why do you NEED to buy from anyone not on this list? These are cosmetics, folks, not medicines. When you buy from, for example, like L’Oreal or any of their many companies, you are endorsing animal cruelty. I don’t buy the “they have never lied to us about that” mentality. L’Oreal is fighting the European Union to avoid the 2013 deadline for a ban to animal testing. They are the most egregious of all cosmetics companies as they are FIGHTING alternatives (despite the junk they say) to animal testing. Horrendous!

       MAC is being sold in China and therefore, the brand is being tested on animals. This is a known fact, not conjecture anymore and not rumor. I talked directly to Estee Lauder and they admitted that China requires it and they are now “required by law” to do it. But they weren’t required by law to sell there, were they? In that decision, they have tarnished the name of Bobbi Brown, MAC and many other Lauder companies that I loved but I will not buy. And,you know what? I haven’t died of neglect? I am now discovering other companies that I like equally.

       I will miss my MAC full coverage foundation, but I’d rather stand my ground and encourage good companies who have morales. Reward companies who don’t bow to political ignorance for the sake of the almighty buck. I have contacted every cosmetics company that I have added to the ban. They need to fully know our outrage! Then since this is about money, respond in kind and withhold yours.

       1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this issue.

          I’ve often felt it was ok to support a cruelty free child company when the parent company was not cruelty free (a la MAC / Estee Lauder), but I completely respect people who don’t feel that way.

          What it comes down to is personal choice and I do feel that my one small voice telling MAC I don’t approve, while it may not make them change, at least I’m speaking up. I think speaking / writing about how we feel is the only way that change will end up happening.

          1. Thanks, Phyrra. PETA would agree with you somewhat. They pulled MAC from their cruelty-free status but did not directly place them on their “bad list.” Aveda, a Lauder company is, however, on the “good list” because they do not sell in China. PETA told me that is their criteria for who can remain on the good list. MAC is being sold in China along with Bobbi Brown and most of Lauder companies. Corporate Lauder is the problem here.

             Everyone, just once try to watch a video on animal testing. I say “try” because it is so horrible that you won’t be able to watch the entire thing and you will take a new perspective on this issue. Again, we are talking about cosmetics…and torture.

       2. “MAC is being sold in China and therefore, the brand is being tested on animals. This is a known fact, not conjecture anymore and not rumor.” Thank you!!!! It’s been very frustrating for me to have people question my blog post. There’s no reason for me to say those things unless they were true and MAC had confirmed it.

          I have mixed issues with parent companies myself. I feel like, as a blogger, I want to present people the most options. Avoiding a brand because of a parent company is too much for some to handle. In that case, I’d rather they buy OPI nail polish instead of L’Oreal. At least it’s showing the parent company where money should go. But, for myself, I try to avoid supporting the parent companies.

          1. I’m still left wondering if MAC thought that it wouldn’t matter that they were “only” testing in China, so they didn’t need to announce anything :/

             1. Honestly, it kind of seems that way. 🙁

                1. I wish they would at least have been more up front about it. It’s been very confusing for a lot of people. 🙁

                   1. It is! I feel like companies do that on purpose. I’m SUPER picky about what I qualify as cruelty free, and I know that for some people, MAC would still qualify. I actually got an email about that – saying that if it’s to sell in a country that requires it that they are still cruelty free. Sorry, not by my book.

                      It honestly makes me respect companies who are up front about testing more. I don’t respect what they do, but I appreciate their honesty. Like Wella Professionals. Their email to me was simple and sweet, something like – We have never been vegan or cruelty free. We use ingredients that are tested on animals. Awful to hear, but I appreciated their honesty about it.

26. phyrra, i’ve been with you for a few years now and i enjoy your blog, however i’m quite confused. since when did using products that were tested on animals become something you don’t do on your blog? i never understood or took your blog for a vegan or cruelty free ONLY place so perhaps this is why i’m confused.

    you’re heartbroken that mac may or may not be testing on animals (it hasn’t even been confirmed yet), but happily buying, wearing, reviewing and blogging about many other products, where the companies DO test on animals. why is this change with MAC so bad to you and more importantly, why doesn’t it bother/why is it ok for you to use other companies products (like estee lauder, nars, maybelline, l’oreal) that DO test on animals? how come it’s ok for them and not for MAC? because MAC changed their policies?

    Can a company grow and change their policies? Absolutely. Should MAC have been more up front about it, especially with the temperature of the world we live in now? Of course, but i guess when i read reviews of estee lauder’s kohl eye pencils, Maybelline’s Color Tattoos and Nars and Estee Lauder foundations on your blog, then read a few days later about a letter you’ve written to MAC denouncing your loyalty, it confuses me. it makes you look inconsistent because you use tons of products that are tested on animals but today you’re asking people to write letters and stop buying MAC products.

    did you know that Make Up For Ever used to test on animals, then stopped for about 12 years and now they use product ingredients from companies who DO animal testing? and they won’t answer directly if they have gone back to animal testing themselves. even the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics doesn’t know if they use animal testing or not! 🙁

    1. I think this is definitely a complicated issue and it’s hard to try and dissect and understand someone’s emotions related to certain brands. I highly respect blogs that are 100% vegan/cruelty-free as they put a lot of research and dedication into purchasing only from brands that uphold their personal values.

       But, as a consumer myself, I think for some others (like myself!) not everything can be so simply black and white. (Please know at this moment I am now only speaking for myself and not in place of Phyrra, I simply feel compelled to respond to your questions as they resonated with me…)

       I know that I have mixed emotions with animal testing, especially as only in recent months have I been considering the issue. Intellectually, I don’t like or approve the idea. So mentally, I know it is wrong but it hasn’t made a full shift into my personal emotional ethics yet. Reason being: I have products that I have owned and used for years from brands, before I began to attempt to understand what animal testing is and the atrocities it perpetuates.

       That being said, I have a deep-seated, years-long emotional connection to certain products that I have come to love and depend on and trust. I have products from brands like NARS, and L’Oreal, that I truly enjoy and feel work phenomenally as a singular product. But I only own a few products from those brands. Knowing they test on animals, I can easily find a replacement for my favorite NARS blush and my favorite L’Oreal mascara. Those are easy brands to take my loyalty away from.

       But looking at MAC… when I first dipped my toes into the world of MAC, I wasn’t entirely impressed at first. But I began to buy more and more from MAC (trust me, my collection is *huge*) and the more I began learn about the company, the more I felt good about being a supporter of that brand. I understood and appreciated the social initiatives that they created or supported/endorsed, and I also truly liked the products. Enough that I invested more money into them than any other brand of makeup in my collection. Essentially why I am trying to say is that I have more financial and emotional connection to MAC, than I do to other brands that I may wear. Whereas it is easy for me to stop wearing those other brands, it is far more difficult and upsetting to me to learn that MAC may possibly have begun testing on animals… and thus leaves me as a very confused and unsettled consumer.

       Is any of this what Phyrra feels? I can’t say that or vouch for her. But these are some of my personal feelings regarding the situation. I’m sorry if I got wordy or things weren’t clear, I know I can fumble when trying to explain something that isn’t black or white so I apologize if any of my comment here is confusing. Just hoping that my personal thoughts may help answer some of your questions, even just a little bit.

    2. Betty,

       You have some really good points, and I appreciate you letting me know how you feel.

       My blog isn’t Vegan or Cruelty Free as a requirement, but these are values which I agree with and believe in. I understand that not everyone agrees and I keep an open mind and try to review products based on their merits.

       Your confusion with my post is actually very similar to to my feelings towards MAC right now.

       I used MAC before I got into beauty products or had a beauty blog. One of the values I have always associated with MAC is them being cruelty free with their slogan of “tested on models not on animals”

       It may not seem like much, but this feels like a betrayal of my trust and it breaks my heart.

       I feel a bit like the child who just learned that Santa Clause isn’t real. It doesn’t make me denounce the Easter Bunny as a fictional character, but it still hurts to really know.

       I think MAC wants to hear from their customers, and if I want to see this changed, I must raise awareness. It would be hypocritical of me to not share my honest feelings and feedback on things that matter to me, like this.

       I’ve never been exclusively cruelty free. I have been mostly indie (such as Cult Nails, Fyrinnae, Evil Shades, Morgana Cryptorial etc), with some mainstream brands (MAC, Urban Decay, Make Up For Ever, Milani, Nyx, Illamasqua) included, too. If you read the ‘About’ page for my blog, I say:
       Phyrra.net focuses on indie beauty companies and products, but also covers some mainstream products. She prefers products to be cruelty free, which is one of the great things about most indie beauty companies. Her first makeup love was MAC.

       In short, I have a very strong emotional response to finding out that MAC is no longer cruelty free and I feel betrayed, because as long as I’ve been aware of the brand, they’d been cruelty free.

27. I feel strongly upset by this possibility, as well. Unforunately everything still feels very shady for me. Logical Harmony has made a guess that they do test on animals in areas required by law, but somehow I still need more than just that one sentence. I have already emailed MAC asking for a response, but have not received one yet, so I am going to physically call them and I need someone to verbally confirm whether or not MAC tests on animals. If the allegations ARE true, I will use up the products I already own from MAC because I can’t justify throwing away thousands of dollars (seriously) of product and tools… but I won’t repurchase from them moving forward. I still have my fingers crossed that it is a big misunderstanding but I’ll have to hear it from them myself.

    1. I feel the same way re: products. I’ve purchased thousands of dollars worth of products from MAC. I’ll use it up, but won’t purchase more if they’re testing.

       Please let me know what they tell you, I’m very interested in hearing what your phone call will bring about.

    2. FYI – Cover Girl is not cruelty free. Not trying to be annoying – just thought you might want to know.

       1. I’m aware Covergirl isn’t cruelty-free. Feel free to read my response to Betty Girl Makeup for a deeper understanding of why MAC changing it’s stance affects me. 🙂 xx

    3. I haven’t made a guess. The company sent me a long email but, like I said, there is a disclosure that prevents me from passing it on or publishing it. They said a lot more, but that sentence is all that I could post.

       Trust me. They test on animals now. I would never have posted that if I was at all doubtful.

       1. Thanks for the clarification Tashina!

28. Wow. I’m so saddened to read this. I’d heard about EL and truly hoped that it wouldn’t extend to the companies they own, most of whom had long-standing policies against animal testing even before EL bought them.

    Mac was the brand that got me into cosmetics and the one that I was loyal to for years. If this is true, it’ll be the end of an era for me.

    1. Please, if you feel strongly about it, write a letter. I think the more people who contact them by mail, the better.

       1. Already done 🙂 I love Mac and I will, for practical reasons, continue to use the products that I already have from them, but until I have a clear answer that they are not conducting or requesting tests on their products, I won’t be buying from them (or from Bobbi Brown, Smashbox, EL, Tom Ford, etc.). There are other companies who I can buy from. Sad day though, because I feel like Mac and I have been together a long time.

29. Not to stray off topic, but I think you have a worm or something, because you have two links right in the middle of sentences talking about viagra, etc. that I thought you should know about.

    Examples: “still remember when Ray took me into my first MAC store (instead of a buy viagra securely online free-standing counter inside of a department store) in Northern California. I remember thinking that their motto,”

    “Being a successful company is not just about the buying viagra on line money, it’s about being able to sleep with yourself at night and not hurting animals.”

    1. Ok, got it fixed. It was only showing up in mobile version, and they found where it was coming from. Thank you for the heads up!

30. Every single brand sold in China may have to do some animal testing. It would be great if China changed their laws, but they don’t even care about humans, much less animals. More reason to buy indie cosmetics, right?

    1. It’s very strange to me that China would require animal testing, considering some of the things that I have read about the country, but I don’t know how much of what I’ve read is true or not.

       Yes, definitely more reason to buy indie!

31. Is this new? If this is China’s rule, then hasn’t MAC been doing this for a while? It’s terrible to test on animals, but it is a special sort of terrible to test on animals while promoting yourself as cruelty free. Semantics doesn’t work, you either are cruelty free or your aren’t. There is no gray area.

    1. I think this is within the last 2 or 3 months.

32. From what I’ve been able to find out, China requires animal testing on cosmetics… so if they want to sell in China, I guess they must be tested that way.

    I quote…”Animal testing of cosmetics is neither banned nor required under U.S. law, but regulations in China (and a few other nations) still call for the use of skin- and eye-irritation tests on animals for certain products to enter the country’s $15 billion-and-rapidly-growing cosmetics market.”

    http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/cosmetictests022212/cosmetictests022212/

    1. I was thinking this had something to do with China, because I remember Mary Kay, Avon and I thought Estee Lauder being removed from the Cruelty Free list, all within the past 6 months or so.

       1. It looks like it does have to do with China requiring animal testing by law. You’re right, in this day an age, there’s no need for animal testing anymore. For whatever reason, China still requires it by law. Here’s an article I found on it: http://www.takepart.com/blog-series/paw-and-order/2012/02/27/make-giants-avon-mary-kay-and-estee-lauder-resume-cruel-animal I think letters should be directed to the Chinese government (good luck with that!), rather than the companies. If the animal testing is required by law in China, I guess the only choice that companies have is to not sell in China if they want to remain cruelty-free. It may be easy for us in North America to say “well companies shouldn’t sell in China” but that is a HUGE decision on their part to do so. However, the article does note that “The Institute for In Vitro Sciences—which receives funds from Avon, Mary Kay and PETA—is working on an international consortium to represent companies in countries that require animal testing. It will also work with scientists in China to train them in using non-animal methods.” This sounds promising. To me it sounds like it’s the law in China that needs to change, more so than companies needing to change their policies.

33. I have hit the “tweet” button for this post, and I will also share to my Facebook Page. This was so well written, and I thank you!! x

    1. Thank you Moxie!

34. I understand being upset by testing on animals.

    What I guess I don’t understand is why no one ever complains about the cosmetics being made in China by factory workers who get paid next to nothing.

    Seems like we also need to support cosmetic companies that also pay a decent wage to their workers….

    I buy American.

35. An unfortunate case of the bottom line being more important than staying true to their social initiatives. If memory serves from what I’ve read, I believe it is China that requires the animal testing. It would appear that MAC is willing to do whatever is required to make sure that they are able to sell in that market.

    1. I just don’t understand how a company that has been cruelty free for so long would suddenly switch to animal testing. I mean, I knew Estee Lauder did it, so I didn’t expect better of them, but I did expect better of MAC.

       I do understand wanting to make money and be successful. However, I don’t understand how a company can just reverse their position that they’ve had for years. I guess that’s what floors me the most.

       1. But haven’t they been selling in China? I don’t think China is a new market for MAC. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong on that point. If they are established there already, why the reversal in their stance? Did China just realize that MAC wasn’t meeting testing requirements & they (MAC) don’t want to lose that enormous market? Or has MAC been testing all along to meet China & possibly other countries’ requirements & it just now is coming to light? Sort of a ‘got your hand caught in the cookie jar’ situation? If it is the ‘hand in the cookie jar’ situation, lying about being cruelty-free knowing that you weren’t is an especially heinous thing to do.

       2. From my understanding based on emails from Estee Lauder, they made the change a long time ago. Even Avon made the change last summer. It’s just getting out into the press now for some reason. That’s why I was hoping that it meant MAC wouldn’t be changing. I guess I was wrong. 🙁

36. Pingback: MAC is No Longer Cruelty Free? | My Beauty Bunny

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