I have been searching for a long time for organic and cruelty free products available in my country(Romania). I am constantly trying to switch up the products I use with better, healthier and cruelty free ones. It is a personal choice in a mad, cruel and evil world where the powerful inflict suffering upon the weak and almost everything from food to make-up seems to be made to kill you.
I am an Avon representative so most of my purchases used to be from Avon. I am not entirely satisfied by their products for 2 reasons. One: they state they are the first cosmetic firm to permanent end their testing on animals in their policy on animal welfare(http://www.avoncompany.com/corporate-responsibility/about-cr/positions-policies/animal-welfare/) but still continue to do it for China from what I understand. Second: they use too many harmful chemicals in their products. I’ve started some time ago with nail polish from SPAritual that is a vegan nail polish with no DBP, formaldehyde or toluene and want to continue the habit of buying these type of products.
I’ve purchased some basic items this week:
Starting with the Sranrom products I have to say these seem like an acquired taste to me. Maybe it is because I’ve grown so used with products that contain chemicals made to make them smell so good, maybe it is because of the strong fragrances of the essential oils used in the Sranrom products. Sranrom is pronounced Sa-raan-rom and “it is a poetic Thai word which describes that most desirable emotion or feeling of pleasure, serenity and contentment”. It is a luxury company from Thailand that takes a holistic approach to well being that incorporates aromatherapy.
They have 4 major categories of products: Urban Wellness (for the mind), True Spirit(for men), Mindful Living(for living) and Harmony(for the body). My products are from the Urban Wellness: Sleep Tight shower gel and hand cream which are meant to help you sleep better and the Calm Down body cream that soothes nerves and eases stress. I found the Sleep tight series products to be very helpful indeed.
Continuing with the SPAritual products I’ve bought some basic things that I found particularly useful:
The base/top coat I’ve had before when they’ve sent it to me free of cost with the nail polishes that I’ve bought back then so I decided to purchase it just to have a spare. The lacquer remover is a dream: it removes nail polish very fast, you don’t need much and it doesn’t leave a nasty smell in the room. Usually I feel like I can’t breath from all the chemicals when I clean my nails but this lacquer remover is made with Italian red mandarin peel oil and complex of solvents made from sugar. I’ve also finally found a lacquer thinner, I’ve been searching for a long time for this. And of course because Spring is almost here I’ve bought a beautiful pastel pink in the shade Idyllic which is a very sheer cream nail polish. I will buy some more as soon as I can.
5 coats in this photo
Next is something that I’ve wanted to try for a long time:
I’ve heard a lot of Alum stone stick deodorants and it seems like a very good solution. This mineral deodorant is also called potassium alum and it is the natural non-toxic way of dealing with unwanted perspiration smells. While most deodorants mask odor with heavy scents or fragrances, the natural deodorant alternative of Alum deodorants prevent body odor at its source by creating an unfriendly environment for odor-causing bacteria. After trying this product I must say it works very well.
Some other basic products that I’ve bought are: a strawberry and raspberry toothpaste and a hair conditioner from Lavera and a Coconut oil shampoo from Palmer’s.
The Lavera products contain no chemical preservatives, fragrances or aromas. The toothpaste has a very nice scent and does its job. The repair&care rose conditioner I have to use several times to form an opinion on.
About Palmer’s I’ve heard a lot of good things. They have a long history and really deliver on ethical and social responsability:
- Supporting cocoa farmers and their families around the world.
- Forging a sustainable Shea industry worldwide.
- Is a “cruelty free” company and does not conduct product tests on animals.
- Is a member of the Round table on Sustainable Palm Oil.
After trying the Coconut oil and keratin&vitamin E shampoo I was not disappointed. It hydrates your hair and leaves it very manageable. I am definitely willing to try more products from this company!
More cruelty free products will follow, I hope to find more and more healthy alternatives for our everyday life choices. There are so many companies these days that offer quality products without destroying our health or hurting and killing animals.
Maria's Beauty Reviews 