“Green Products” are a coveted category taking the beauty market by storm. Organic, all-natural, vegan, and sustainable are a few terms among a broad language we’re no strangers to as we browse makeup and skincare companies and products online and in person. There’s an increasing demand from younger, more socially conscious buyers for cosmetic companies to promote these badges of ethos—they want products they can feel good about while looking their very best while wearing them.
Synthetic ingredients and animal-tested products are not only less sought after, but they’re slowly diminishing from the market, thanks to the rise of natural alternatives. There’s a variety of products you’ll be happier to purchase, but knowing what labels mean when they’re strikingly similar can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to help!
Let’s decipher some commonly used phrases in the green cosmetic industry, and how you can be certain if companies truly stand behind fair-trade products and ethical, clean ingredients.
The term “natural” is, unfortunately, not regulated. There is no standard, legal definition for the word, and although it may seem like companies spew out such a popular phrase just for the sake of looking good, it’s not always a false claim. “Natural” refers to raw ingredients of natural origins (think bees wax or aloe). Natural cosmetics can be identified as such by looking at the ingredients.
According to Glamour, in a natural product, the botanicals and other all-natural ingredients are listed near the top, while synthetic ingredients nearer the bottom. Keep in mind that natural elements are often listed by their scientific name. Although you may wish to see something like “citrus” and “sea salt”, you’ll most likely see a longwinded, scientific title or Latin-origin name, so be sure to double check the meaning online!
You’ll also have a good sense of whether a product is 100% natural if the shelf life is significantly shorter than some of your other products.
The term “vegan” is also not regulated, nor is it legally required to check a brands’ credentials who market the claim.
When you see companies promoting themselves as vegan and label their cosmetics as such, that means the product does not contain any animal by-products or animal extracts. To be even more certain, check for a Vegan Society logo on the packaging— this logo certifies the product doesn’t contain any animal products or by-products in the ingredients list or manufacturing processes.
Vegan is also a word closely paired with “cruelty-free”— the lack of animal products within a product implies no animals were harmed in the safety testing process. Always remember that just because makeup or skincare is marketed as vegan, does not mean that the product is 100% natural or contains zero synthetic additives! When in doubt, always check the ingredient label.
The first term on this list that has legal regulations and requirements, organic makeup is composed of organically farmed ingredients — just like some of your favorite foods.
The Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture states that in order for a product to wear the USDA Organic seal and truly be labeled as “organic”, it must contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients — all organic ingredients must be identified in the ingredients list.
That being said, a product only needs to contain a small percentage of organic ingredients in order to market itself as such. For ultimate confidence in an organic makeup product you’re excited to try, be sure to look for the USDA Organic seal on the packaging!
Natural makeup implies that there are raw ingredients from natural origins; vegan beauty products contain no animal products, by-products or extracts; organic makeup is composed of organically farmed materials, commonly packaged with the USDA Organic seal credential.
Now, you can have confidence as you browse the store aisles or scroll through an online website that you’ll know exactly whether a brand is making false claims, or if they’re truly eco-conscious.
Have the confidence to be your true self while looking and feeling your very best. Shop vegan, cruelty-free cosmetics at KZA Cosmetics.
]]>Today’s target beauty consumers prioritize ethics just as much as they value well-performing products. As such, whether you’re a makeup enthusiast or skincare expert, you’ve most likely heard the industry term “cruelty-free.”
You know firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate the ever-growing market for reliable products that are environmentally conscious while also looking and feeling great on your skin. Many questions can arise during the shopping process.
In this article, you’ll learn:
According to Public Goods, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not have a legal definition for the term “cruelty-free,” meaning brands may use the language however they see fit.
While ironic to label a product in high ethical regard without a standard definition, it’s not as complicated as it may seem! In general applications, “cruelty-free” refers to a product and its ingredients that is neither tested on animals nor causes harm to them in any way.
A brand can use the term however they want to promote products, with the intention of attracting and enticing environmentally conscious consumers. These socially conscious shoppers are (most likely) more willing to spend money on clean-origin products compared to those that don’t consider ethical issues when shopping for cosmetics and skincare.
In today’s beauty market, many companies commonly promote their entire brand as “cruelty-free” instead of marketing individual items as such. From a moral and social standpoint, creating an ethically-driven brand implicates reliability, trust, and environmental responsibility— a lot of vital factors that younger consumers, like Millennials and Generation Z, are looking for when shopping.
Let’s be real, who doesn’t adore animals? The cruel and unfair treatment of animals is an outdated and unjust safety testing method, which is why many consumers are making the switch to cruelty-free products.
Innovative technologies and evolving customer ethos allow cruelty-free products to thrive in the vast beauty industry. Although socially conscious cosmetics are steadily increasing in popularity, it’s not unusual to wonder that if these products are not tested on animals, are they tested at all?
Because of the un-refined definition of the term and the lack of requirement surrounding safety-testing on animals (that’s right, the FDA does not require cosmetic products to be safety-tested on animals), it may seem complicated to be sure that the cruelty-free makeup and skincare products you use are actually safe.
However, the rise of cruelty-free origins and branding bred more modern, innovative safety-testing solutions to replace antiquated animal-testing methods.
According to Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts, product-safety testing alternatives include:
In today’s day and age, the “cruelty-free”-labeled cosmetics you purchase have most likely been safety-tested using alternative methods like the ones listed above—all the more reason to trust in cruelty-free products and integrate them into your beauty routine.
However, it’s always nice to go the extra mile to make sure your favorite companies and products stand by what they’re marketing and labeling themselves as.
To ensure a brand is giving accurate information despite no legal definition for the term, Peta2 allows companies to sign a Statement of Assurance. According to PETA, this assurance verifies “that neither they nor their ingredient suppliers conduct, commission, or pay for any tests on animals for their ingredients, formulations, or finished products anywhere in the world and won’t do so in the future.”
Check out PETA’s Beauty without Bunnies database to confirm that your favorite company is cruelty-free and does not support nor practice animal cruelty and harmful product testing.
At KZA Cosmetics, our mission is to present you with a full product line of clean, cruelty-free cosmetics that are easy to use. We believe in being kind, adding value, and giving back, and our products speak to those values. After learning more about what cruelty-free really means and discovering why you should use safe, alternatively tested cosmetic products, KZA Cosmetics is here for you!
Explore our range of clean product lines and get shopping! We can’t wait to empower you with our vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics.
]]>By the time Spring greets us, lip color trends are in full swing! We’re itching to shy away from dark matte browns and maroons, and we’re ready for a pout with brighter colors and silky glosses. With only a few lip products, you can entirely transform your look— from femme to edgy to minimalistic.
Take a look at some of the best trending lip colors and techniques for Spring 2021 and how they can make any look pop!
This South Korean beauty trend involves a minimalistic pout with diffused color. Lip tints and lip stains are meant to look soft and subdued, almost mimicking yet enhancing your natural lip color. The application couldn’t be easier—just dab a bit of color pigment onto the center of your lips, then smack them together as you would after applying a regular lipstick. You’ve got yourself a simple, soft Springtime look that is sure to last all day long through lunch and iced coffee sips! Browse our full line up of lip stain colors and options here.
The color orange is taking the beauty and fashion world by storm. It’s a bright, fun color that offers versatility with its many hues, specifically peach, grapefruit, and tangerine. An orange tinge is the perfect Springtime lip— working well on all skin tones to create a refreshing pop of color without being too loud and overwhelming.
There’s no going wrong with a natural lip color, especially a warm brown. If you’re aiming for a minimalistic makeup look for the warmer weather, a beautiful, subtle lip shade is the way to go. Natural browns look incredibly stunning on all skin tones. Think beige, espresso, and chocolate shades.
If you have a go-to lipstick color, specifically something mauve or nude, try using a darker lip liner to add dimension to your pout! Don’t be afraid to play around with contrast this springtime and try out this lip technique. Subtly overline your lips with a natural, brown shade or something a tad bit darker than the lip product you plan to use. Then, go in with your favorite cream lipstick or tinted gloss, making sure to create a soft blend between the darker lip liner and your other lip product. The result? A stunning, full pout!
Gloss continues to thrive in the beauty industry for the feminine shine it creates, and butter gloss is its cooler, older sister. Butter gloss is another lip color trend that adds a cute touch to any makeup look with its luxurious appeal. A swipe of butter gloss not only adds a gorgeous shine, but it coats the lips with a subtle hint of color— not as full-coverage as a matte or cream color, but not as colorless as a clear gloss. As the temperatures rise, the less likely you’ll want to wear numerous products on your face, and butter gloss is a go-to option for creating your desired look with fewer products!
Keeping on trend with the effortless glam you’ll want to achieve in the warmer months, colorless gloss is a must-have product to add to your beauty routine this Spring. Colorless lip gloss gives your pout a beautiful, glassy shine with minimal effort. Layer it on top of your favorite lipstick or stain, or rock it au naturel. One swipe, and your good to go!
After being cooped up inside for the last few months, you’re ready to hit the town with a bright lip and refreshed spirit! Berry hues are gorgeous for Spring with their bold presence and pretty aesthetic. Think flowery pinks, bright magentas, and complex reds. This berry hue lip trend works well as a full coverage, all-over color, or diffused from the center of the lip outwards to create a pretty, muted look. Dress it up or play it down depending on your outfit and desired appearance. The Flourish Lip Stain in Orchid and Freesia are perfectly suited for this trend!