Don't irritate thy neighbour.

When you've been raised a vegetarian, to love animals and to make conscious choices, living a cruelty free life isn't really hard. Some of my friends are astonished when I tell them I don't buy Garnier because its animal tested, but its not like that's going to influence their choices anyway. It's more of a I-respect-you-for-your-strength-but-there's-no-way-I'm-going-to-do-that sort of thing.

This post is not an attempt to convince anyone the right way to go. I was just wondering..

Is it my responsibility to attempt to influence those around me? Does the burden of convincing people that its not so bad become the duty of those of us who care for our cause?

The Hard and bitter truth...most people hate it. No one likes being forced to like animals. Trying to impose a bloody video of torture and animal cruelty on an unsuspecting audience doesn't always change things for the better, p.e.t.a. has demonstrated that quite aptly. I'm not denying that p.e.t.a does influence a lot of people to change, but for the most part, You cannot torture someone into changing their lifestyle, it simply won't work!!

As a child, I was quite a fan of the organization and saw only the bright side of things. Which was why I was quite shocked when I came across this...http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=At3wLyLLCJHghpunfiiHAYcjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20080812142819AA2Pb72

So yeah, no one likes being lectured on the unpleasant stuff. But that doesn't mean there's nothing that can be done. Think about it. If my cruelty free hair care routine is going to beat your Garnier Fructis routine, you're gonna want to try mine anyway.

 So if you've got a sweet beauty secret out there, don't hesitate to share it because you might be doing the world some good! 

Of Animal Testing and the Woes of having Curly Hair

Garnier. Dove. Herbal Essences. L'Oreal. What do all of these have in common?

They make amazing products which are, sadly, animal tested.  

Sure, they may have websites claiming they are against animal testing, but haha. Read between the lines and you know that they just mean their finished products aren't animal tested. Nothing new about all that, really.

It's just such a pity. When people rave about a Garnier gel or whatever, I'm itching to buy it. I almost forget why I stopped using that stuff in the first place. I mean, my hair is just unmanageable. Ironing it makes it look good for a little while, and then it becomes like a big bush of HAY. And to know that there are products out there which are going to help...aaaargh.

I happen to live in India, and here not a lot of people really are aware of the horrors of animal testing. I once told a friend not to buy animal tested stuff, and she gave me an amused look and said '' so what? they're shampooing a rabbit, it''s gonna end up all nice and clean and fluffy!!!'' 

That's how clueless people are.

The worst part is, even those of us who are aware don't really have a lot of choices. In India, cruelty free means herbal, or unimaginably expensive. Or both. (The Body Shop =/ ) I've wanted to use John Frieda products for curly hair ever since I heard of them, but you don't get them here, and its ridiculous to think of having shampoo shipped. 

Over the years, I've tried almost every single cruelty free hair care brand in available in India, and I've found ways to tame my bush and make my wet hair curls last through the day! Without heat, without chemicals, without expensive rubbish.With simple kitchen remedies. 

More detail on all that in posts to come!