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I love a good, gentle and non-drying cleanser; and a search for one is unceasing. I have loved Neutrogena Foaming Cleanser for the longest time. I was searching for a cruelty-free alternative; I narrowed down on a few brands. I was adamant to buy CeraVe from Amazon US since I read it is cruelty free and hence I dropped them an enquiry email. The challenging part of finding a cleanser is it being SLS/SLES free, Paraben free and cruelty-free. And then there is no middle ground.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser had it all that I was anticipating, even though I did read that CeraVe is cruelty-free. I was unsure of it being unquestionable. So I dropped an email to enquire about their cruelty-free stance. I received two emails regarding my query.
The first did mention that CeraVe products are not tested on animals. Here is an insert of the email.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser had it all that I was anticipating, even though I did read that CeraVe is cruelty-free. I was unsure of it being unquestionable. So I dropped an email to enquire about their cruelty-free stance. I received two emails regarding my query.
The first did mention that CeraVe products are not tested on animals. Here is an insert of the email.
Thank you for contacting Valeant Customer Service.CeraVe products are not tested on animals. Additionally, we have forwarded the latter portion of your inquiry over to our Medical Information Department. This department has access to CeraVe ingredient information and will be getting back to you with additional information.
Regards,
Elly
Consumer Affairs
And a few days later, I received an email from one of the members of Medical Information Department stating that either their products are tested on animals on some instances. I am inserting an excerpt from the email below.
Dear Pranali:Thank you for your request on product information from Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America. Please refer to the respective product package insert(s) for complete prescribing information.
Enclosed is the following information you requested:
Animal Testing
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other worldwide health regulatory agencies currently require all pharmaceutical manufacturers to protect patients and consumers by establishing product quality, safety and effectiveness through approved and validated testing methods, which include animal testing in some instance.
Please feel free to contact the Valeant Medical Information Department at 1-877-361-2719 if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS NORTH AMERICA
Conclusion: CeraVe is not cruelty-free.
Friday, January 20, 2017
elf cosmetics now ships worldwide: International Shipping, Customs duties & taxes
In
Cruelty-free
elf cosmetics (Eyes Lips Face), a cosmetic brand based in New York now ships worldwide. I happened to be making my birthday list, sorting through brands I want to own. Accidentally I landed on their website only to discover they've initiated Free Worldwide Shipping on the orders above $50.
So I contacted their customer support to confirm free shipping on $50, Duties and taxes. And I hurriedly added few primers into the cart. And the Customs duties and taxes were included in the total order. The option of paying the customs duties and taxes upon the arrival of the package is available as well.
I am attaching a snapshot of my order summary below.
Here is what you could pick up from their bestsellers list.
e.l.f High Definition Powder
e.l.f Lip Exfoliator
e.l.f Baked Highlighter & Blush (e.l.f Blush gems is close dupe for MAC Soft & Gentle)
e.l.f Poreless Face Primer (a close dupe for Smashbox photo finish primer)
e.l.f blush (available in 7 shades which are close dupes of the Nars blushes.)
I personally think the international prices of the elf products defeats their ideology of premium affordable makeup. The e.l.f essential lipstick that retail for $1 is priced INR 147, a little more than converted currency. And to top that, we have customs duties and taxes.
I hastily added correcting primers and serum foundation, flabbergasted to see it exceeds the price point of a mediocre Indian drugstore foundation. After calculating the increased pricing and customs duties and taxes, I think I’ll pass.
elf is cruelty-free and PETA approved, was the only plus point that compelled me to place an order. Perhaps I’ll splurge on my birthday, better!
You can check out the link below to check the list of countries elf cosmetics currently ships. They are currently offering free worldwide shipping on the order above $50 excluding France, Australia, Netherlands, Sweden and Mexico.
http://www.elfcosmetics.com/page/international
So I contacted their customer support to confirm free shipping on $50, Duties and taxes. And I hurriedly added few primers into the cart. And the Customs duties and taxes were included in the total order. The option of paying the customs duties and taxes upon the arrival of the package is available as well.
I am attaching a snapshot of my order summary below.
Here is what you could pick up from their bestsellers list.
e.l.f High Definition Powder
e.l.f Lip Exfoliator
e.l.f Baked Highlighter & Blush (e.l.f Blush gems is close dupe for MAC Soft & Gentle)
e.l.f Poreless Face Primer (a close dupe for Smashbox photo finish primer)
e.l.f blush (available in 7 shades which are close dupes of the Nars blushes.)
I personally think the international prices of the elf products defeats their ideology of premium affordable makeup. The e.l.f essential lipstick that retail for $1 is priced INR 147, a little more than converted currency. And to top that, we have customs duties and taxes.
I hastily added correcting primers and serum foundation, flabbergasted to see it exceeds the price point of a mediocre Indian drugstore foundation. After calculating the increased pricing and customs duties and taxes, I think I’ll pass.
elf is cruelty-free and PETA approved, was the only plus point that compelled me to place an order. Perhaps I’ll splurge on my birthday, better!
You can check out the link below to check the list of countries elf cosmetics currently ships. They are currently offering free worldwide shipping on the order above $50 excluding France, Australia, Netherlands, Sweden and Mexico.
http://www.elfcosmetics.com/page/international
Friday, January 13, 2017
Vegan Chips: Terra Real Vegetable chips in Original, Blues and Mediterranean
Chips make fine snacks, especially with dips. I am not really fond of plain potato chips with excess salt and oil. I did try Bittergourd & Sweet potato chips, but the taste was below par, forget the nutrition. Terrachips is the creation of Alex Dzieduszycki and Dana Sinkler. The determination was to present flavourful appetizers to accompany drinks at bars. According to Terrachips, every vegetable is selected and prepared in small batches and then packed into bags to retain flavours and crispness.
Terrachips make great appetizers to be served with dips and salsa and flavourful even on their own. The flavours sent to me are Original, Blues and Mediterranean; out of these the Original and Blues are vegan-friendly and Mediterranean is vegetarian-friendly.
Terrachips Original is a celebration of colours and flavours.
Exotic Vegetables in Original Terrachips are:
Batata, a Cuban sweet potato also known as Boniato.
Parsnip, a member of carrot family
Sweet Potato, often called as Yam
Taro, a root vegetable with purple lines & Yuca, a pale white-yellow root vegetable.
The ingredients list includes Root Vegetable, Safflower or Sunflower or Canola Oil & Seasalt.
Terra Blues as mentioned before has a melt in the mouth crunch. These are produced from selected naturally blue potatoes which a bluish-purple in colour and have a distinct nutty flavour.
The ingredients list includes Naturally Blue Potatoes, Safflower/Sunflower/Canola Oil & Seasalt.
Terra Mediterranean leaves quite a zest of herbs, as an aftertaste. The aroma of the herbs is strong and fresh. A tangy kick just reminds of the lemon as mentioned on the bag.
The root vegetable that are included in Terra Mediterranean are Batata, Parsnip, Yuca, Taro, Ruby dipped Vegetables and Sweet Potato.
The Ingredients list is precise: A seasonal mix of root vegetables including sweet potato, batata, parsnip, taro, yuca, seasoning (whey {milk}, spices, garlic powder, safflower or canola or sunflower oil, sea salt, vinegar powder [maltodextrin, distilled vinegar solids], onion powder, autolyzed yeast extract, citric acid, oil of safflower, evaporated cane juice, lemon oil, toasted sesame oil), beet extract concentrate (for color), natural olive flavor.
Terra Mediterranean contains Whey from milk which makes it suitable for only vegetarians. These are Gluten-free, Non Gmo and MSG free vegetable chips available in India. Terrachips are definitely an exotic and healthy snacking option available for Vegans and Vegetarians.
Out of these, Terrachips Original is crunchiest and crispiest of the chips I’ve ever tried. While the Blues is melt in the mouth crunch. These chips retain their natural sweet flavours, and have a slight caramelized crunch on the surface; resembles sweet & salty crackers.
Terrachips has indeed revolutionized snacking with these exotic vegetable chips.
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