Have you all seen the precious little King Charles Cavalier that has been surreptitiously popping up on LRW? Laying in bed...

Throwing shade...

Maybe you get the feeling that Charlie kind of runs the show? Your assumptions would be correct.

I kind of think that I like animals more than I like people sometimes. That’s a bold statement, but I feel really strongly for animals in general. I’ve been a vegetarian for almost 8 years now (I’ll have to do a separate post on that sometime), and the rights and welfare of animals are something that I think about quite a bit.

Over the past year or so, I’ve noticed that so many of the products I use on a daily basis are tested on animals. Many of them are also manufactured unsafely, using products that are bad for us or the environment- it’s a little exhausting and disheartening to think about. Rather than get everybody down on this fine morning, I thought I would go through some products that I’m using and LOVING right now, that do not test on animals*, many of which are also organic and free of a lot of harsh chemicals that many of us are noticing/trying to get away from in our daily lives.

In my very first Birchbox (if you don't subscribe, do a trial, it also makes a great gift), I received Amika Color Pherfection Shampoo, and I’ve been using it ever since. The absolutely addicting scent is what hooked me, but it’s the philosophy that has kept me coming back. Made in Brooklyn (what whaaaat), free of parabens, sulfates, and artificial colors, and cruelty free (I emailed them and received an email back along with a smiley face and a copy of their letter from PETA)! Bonus: for a lady who is (already) going grey like myself, this shampoo helps my color stick around.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve used body wash instead of bar soap. It just feels more luxurious! A diehard Trader Joe’s fan, I was delighted to find their citrus body wash on a recent trip. Simple but gets the job done, I’ll definitely be buying this again.

Is anyone else’s skin bi-polar? I feel like my face is a sweaty, greasy mess during the summer, and as soon as I turn the calendar page to September, it’s flaking and I’m getting blackheads and now you don’t want to read this blog anymore because I’m gross. Anyway. I got a sample of one of Juice Beauty's Peels and Serums in my Birchbox a couple months ago and was delighted. I think a good exfoliating session every couple weeks makes a big difference and is a good way to treat yo self. It totally transformed my face in 10 minutes, and I feel great about their ‘Eco Values’ as listed on their website.

Mario Badescu’s products are absolutely incredible and I’m happy that I’m able to include them here. For my face wash I’m currently using the Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel, which is probably better suited for the manic, sweaty, summer Allie face, but I still absolutely love it. Says on the bottle and on their website that their products are not tested on animals.

UNDER EYE CONCEALER...is a must for me. I used to just buy whatever kind because anything you slap on there will cover up dark circles, but I remember my friend telling me about Tarte’s Smooth Operator Waterproof Concealer, and how it’s all natural and made with clay, etc. I was like FRIEND, I don’t have time for that shiiiiieeet and I’m poor. But then one day at Sephora I bit the bullet and now I’m never going back. It’s wonderful. (I also just bought their bronzer recently...I’ve been using the same bronzer-Hoola by Benefit-since highschool. But Benefit tests on animals! So I made the switch. Definite convert.)

If you’re like me, you probably fall asleep with a tube of mascara on, and concealer, and bronzer, etc. It’s disgusting, but here I am, flaws and all. Needless to say I need a makeup remover than can chisel all that shit off my face in the AM, and my findings have shown that almost nothing you buy at the drugstore (Burt’s Bee’s is THE ONLY brand I know of) is cruelty free. So in my search for the perfect Fido-friendly makeup remover, I found these wipes by Josie Maran. In general I find wipes to be a little wasteful, but these are great for vacation, sleepovers, the gym, and just all the time if you like to be thorough. Plus they're called BEAR NAKED wipes and you help save Polar Bears when you buy them!

Soooo that was a lot. Do you all have anything to add to this? Did I miss anything? Any great products or companies you would recommend?

*Disclaimer: I did quite a bit of research for this post to ensure that the products I’m showcasing here are cruelty free. However, as with any certified product, there is a lot of room for debate. Each company featured in this post has claimed (either on their website, product packaging, or in an email to me) that their products are not tested on animals, and I encourage you to do your own research, or contact me directly with any further questions or comments.

All photos taken by Raven Koehler and Allie of LRW.