A new year is the perfect time to begin a new habit. We tend to think of the obvious resolutions like losing excess fat, cutting out carbs, finally starting that travel blog you’ve been postponing, or even applying to your dream job. While these are all great resolutions and should be attained for a lifetime, what about taking a look at the world around you? What are you doing to contribute to the environment?

We constantly ignore petitions from Green Peace, and sob when we watch the animal rescue commercials encouraging us to donate to the cause. We don’t actually do anything about it though. Why? Taking a stance seems to be difficult; it seems to cost a lot of money for results we can’t immediately see. We don’t like to go out of our way to do something even if it promises a positive outcome. Could it be because saving the planet isn’t glamorous or fun? Well we are here to tell you that this is a common misconception. Saving the planet is actually very fabulous when you start by changing your shopping habits. The most colorful of all solutions is switching to cruelty-free makeup.

Why cruelty-free?

The cruelty that happens with regular products is actually crueler than you think. When it comes to a fur coat, it’s easier for us to see that it was created through cruel practices versus a mascara tube. There’s a lot incorporated into our routine that seems too much to change like steak tacos on a Tuesday. Some countries can only survive by eating the animals that they hunt; that’s practical. Let’s not attack that. Why should a rabbit suffer for your desire to have rosier cheeks?

Testing makeup on animals is an old school approach to checking off the regulations that it takes to approve a product out in the market. Testing a product is important because we need to know if it will cause an allergic reaction and other health risks. Why is a harmless little mouse the only way for us to know that our lips won’t swell with a brand new set of MAC lipsticks? Lucky for us, scientists have done their part and found alternatives to this solution like vitro testing, cultured cell tissues, and computer models.

Makeup companies can also save time and lives in the wilderness by choosing from the over 7,000 list of approved ingredients that are proven to be safe. You don’t have to be a genius to create a harmless foundation because it’s already been done, just be creative and create better color options.

Is it expensive?

Not if you take two minutes of your day to research which companies don’t test on animals. Once you know which brands are cruelty-free, you’ll realize that you recognize more than half of them. There are many great quality products that are eco-friendly and you can find them anywhere. Your local convenient stores, pharmacies, and big makeup stores sell them. It’s just like regular shopping, you choose the cheapest product. You just have to make sure that it has an approved bunny logo that certifies the company as cruelty-free. Sure you’ll find a $14 shampoo option, but there are also $5 options. Take your time to find the best one!

How fabulous is the makeup?

Extremely fabulous. They’re sustainable, eco-friendly, harmless to life, and many luxury brands to choose from. Some of our favorite brands are Too Faced Cosmetics, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Urban Decay, Kat Von D, Tarte, BareMinerals, and many more!

Will it be an issue with my stylists?

Absolutely not! We can assure you that most of your stylists will have at least one of these products in their makeup kits. Top brands are taking action and switching to the best trend of all: caring about the planet! So don’t be afraid to ask your makeup artist before your next appointment if they have cruelty-free options. We want nothing more than for you to be satisfied with your look and service.