How I got into makeup
Today I wanted to tackle a topic of how I got into makeup and how I went cruelty free with my makeup collection.
Generally, I have always been drawn to makeup and what make up can do for your facial features. I am pretty sure that my mom bought me my first mascara and an eyeliner one summer (back in the 90s), when I was about to start either 7th or 8th grade of elementary school (middle school in US terms). I am almost positive that the brand was Deborah (Italian brand that still exists to this day, if I am not mistaking) which was available in Croatia where I live. In fact, I remember the little store at the seaside town where we went to get it and being so excited about it. As a blonde kid, my eyelashes were very light, especially in the summer, so just wearing a mascara was an obvious makeup look for me and it made me feel so cool. I think mascara is usually the introduction to the makeup world for most of the people.
High school was the time when I discovered blushes, lip glosses and foundation type of products. I was always going for a natural make up look. I was using what I had, and not being super selective about the formulas or anything. Most anything that was available at the drugstore was always so alluring to me. My sister was saying that I was so susceptible to commercials, that I just had to try anything that was being advertised…like, I was the perfect target…or perfect victim of shiny adds. Well, I tried out things, within the reasonable budget limits. Indeed, TV commercials and magazine adds were very tempting when you want to explore the world of makeup (with all the perfect models and, realizing in hindsight, airbrushed skin). Not knowing where to start, you kind of go with the good old trial and error method.
I remember discovering L’oreal (oh, found this photo of blush delice in the exact shade that I was using back in the day!) and Max Factor and way too heavy foundations that made us all look…well…not terrible, but not super flattering either. Transition to Pupa, Bourjois and Revlon brands happened toward the end of high school and beginning of University days in 2000s. My makeup collection still consisted mostly of mascara, eye shadow duos or quads, lip gloss and some type of foundations, BB cream or tinted moisturizer. These Bourjois glosses were my favorite back then.
Anyway, I have started watching you tube videos in 2016. It was summer (again) and I was looking to find some new and affordable formula of lip gloss, when I stumbled upon NYX butterglosses and the world of you tube swatches and make up tutorials. OH.MY.GOD! I have been oblivious to the whole world of the makeup lovers and people sharing the reviews and all the makeup brands I have not yet heard of. Highlighters, bronzers, big eye shadow palettes, brow products, lip liners…I have been missing out on so many things, plus tips and tricks on makeup application. I needed to get onboard. I started to binge watch you tubers and exploring.
Long story short (and many you tube hours later) after trying out new products and formulas, I have realized that I needed to be more selective with my makeup consumption. Learning that beauty and makeup industry can test their products on animals, I have taken a look into my own make up collection and realized that I don’t want to support any brand that tests or might test on animals. I am a vegetarian and I have been a vegetarian since New Years of 2000, which now marks 21st year of my vegetarian journey – yes I am over 40 (guess the cat is out of the bag). I have made a conscious decision to switch to cruelty free brands regarding makeup, skincare and hair care. It was probably around the end of 2016 when I decided to transition to cruelty free products.
To tell you the truth my transition has been an easy one. I really didn’t have any urge to buy a single product from brands that test on animals. It’s like my brain made a conscious switch along with my decision to go cruelty free and I just didn’t find any appeal in any beauty product from a non-cruelty free brands ever since. You can have the most beautiful bronzer or eye shadow palette, but for me it will not be on my radar, if I know that it might have been tested on animals. That kind of mindset has been very helpful all these years and I have been enjoying make up even more, knowing that it is not hurting anyone…well except my wallet.
There is a number of amazing cruelty free and ethical brands and I strongly advise looking into the brands that are kind to other living beings. When I need an advice, I look into sites like logical harmony, ethical elephant and leaping bunny to name a few. Over the years, I have purged my collection from the non-cruelty free brands…well, mostly. Just when I think I have a completely cruelty free make up collection, some brand decides to focus on profit and starts selling in China’s mainland, so I can’t consider them cruelty free any more. That was the case with Physician’s formula and First Aid Beauty to name a few. How disappointing was that! However, there are also cases of big brands switching to cruelty free status-like Covergirl did couple of years ago, so there is hope that other big brands and company will follow.
As a consumer, I do feel that the choices we make on a smaller scale can add up and create a bigger wave of change. I know I am just one person and that in the large scope of consumption, I can’t make a huge change, but if we all make a small wave, we can create a tsunami of change and then big companies have to make changes and adapt to us. That is what I keep telling myself and anyone who will listen.
Hope you have a great day and thank you for your time.
XOXO Iva