Week Two - Target: Household Cleansers

This week we decided to start changing out our household cleansers for kinder, gentler cleaning products. I was a little worried, as we have really hard water here in Las Vegas. Would I have to sacrifice a truly clean house for a clean conscience?

Enter Method cleaning products!

Method is the only cruelty-free company that I know of that is readily available at most Targets (and I hear at Big Lots as well). Their products are never tested on animals, nor do they contain any animal derived ingrediants. Yes, they're a little more expensive, but isn't it worth it?

This week we changed out:
Softsoap handsoap - for Method Hand Wash
Arm and Hammer detergent - for Method Laundry Detergent
Soft Scrub - Method Daily Shower cleanser
Windex - Method Window Cleaner
everything from 409 to Scrubbing Bubbles - for Method All Purpose Surface Cleaner

A very cool coincidence - PETA just named Method's founders as 2006 Persons of the Year!

Week One - Target: Cosmetics

Deciding to have a cruelty-free household can be a little intimidating to say the least. At first glance, alternatives seem 3 times more expensive and a lot of the products on PETA's list aren't readily available. To make this work, things would have to be as easy as going down to the store - not mail ordering from another state and waiting for the item to arrive.

When looking at the things I wanted to change, like cosmetics, haircare products, laundry soap and household cleansers - I started with what was easiest: Cosmetics.

If you can afford the high-end department store cosmetics - you're in luck - you don't have to sacrifice fabulous skin for a clear conscience! Most of these can be picked up during a trip to the mall. A number of the high end brands are listed as cruelty-free:

Aveda
Chanel
Dr. Haushka
Erno Lazlo
Estee Lauder
Hard Candy
M.A.C.
Murad
O.P.I. Nail Products
Prescriptives
Smashbox Cosmetics
Stila Cosmetics
Too Faced Cosmetics
Urban Decay

But if you're more like me - I can't afford those brands for everyday use. Sure, I can afford the occasional MAC lipstick or powder, but I can't afford a whole skin care regimen. So I mix and match - some drug store items for the basics like facial cleansers, body soap etc. Suprisingly, there are plenty of cruelty-free alternatives to choose from - even at your local market/drugstore:

Basis Soaps
Bonne Bell
Burt's Bees
Citre Shine
Conair
Crabtree & Evelyn
Eucerin
Freeman Beauty Products
got2be
Jolen Creme Bleach
Kiss My Face
Manic Panic
Nexxus
Nivea
Norelco
Paul Mitchell
Physician's Formula
Queen Helene
Revlon
Safeway Brands
Sebastian Int'l
St. Ives
Tom's of Maine - at Trader Joes
Trader Joe's Company brands
Whole Foods Market - 365 House Brand

Avon and Mary Kay are both OK as well - so rest easy - you don't need to dump your rep just yet!

BEAGLES USED IN ANIMAL TESTING!

This blog is dedicated to my beautiful beagle Harley and all the beagles in the world that are used in animal testing.

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE FAVORED DOGS USED IN ANIMAL TESTS ARE BEAGLES? They are singled out for the very traits that make them great companion animals - loyalty and non-aggression.

HARLEY SEZ: "PLEASE HELP MY BEAGLE BRETHREN - DON'T BUY PRODUCTS THAT ARE TESTED ON ANIMALS!"