animal testing

The fauna are rejoicing all throughout the European Union as the projected ban on animal-tested cosmetics took effect this past Monday (March 11). Even though this had been the projected date of the official ban since 2009, many cosmetic companies expected a delay or reprieve to occur. However, a letter from the EU health commissioner, Tonio Borg, promised the date would stand, and it has. "I believe that the ban should enter into force in March 2013 as Parliament and Council have already decided. I am therefore not planning to propose a postponement or derogation to the ban," Borg wrote to animal-testing campaigners. Under the new legislation, any new cosmetic products will be outlawed if tested on animals.

It seems the animal-testing policies will be under fire this year in many other countries, too. On January 1, a similar law took effect in India. Israel also made it illegal to market, import, or sell animal-tested products this month. "This great achievement in Europe is only the closure of one chapter," said Paul McGreevy, international values director at The Body Shop. "The future of beauty must be cruelty free." Will the United States and Australia be a part of chapter two?

• Our other favourite beauty editor snags a campaign for Sephora — Into The Gloss
• Lana Del Rey has a fringe! Does it make you cringe? — Elle UK
• Is Oprah Winfrey going to start an organic beauty line? — Forbes
• You'll never guess what ruined Lea Michele's spray tan... — People
• Inside the wonderfully creative world of Anna Sui — Beautylish
• Peta grant helps provide alternative to animal testing — BellaSugar
• Find out why Karlie Kloss cut her locks — Styleite
• Salma Hayek extends her beauty line to include nail polish — WWD

Whilst testing cosmetics on animals has become less commonplace as consumers point blank refuse to buy products that have been tested on animals, the reality is, it still happens. But due to the cost and length of time the testing requires — not to mention many would argue how inhumane it is — the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed ToxCast in 2007, a rapid test toxicity forecaster which can screen chemicals in cosmetics, highlighting any that may cause adverse reactions. It's just been given backing by L'Oréal, one of the largest cosmetics companies in the world, who has given US$1.2 million (AU$1.14 million) to the EPA to conduct a study to see if the screening system can be used more widely in the cosmetics industry. L'Oréal is also releasing data about the product ingredients it uses thus "expanding the types of chemical use groups assessed by ToxCast." Both parties hope that together, they can work towards the goal of making chemical testing cheaper and easier to do, without the use of animal testing, so that products are ultimately safer for the consumer. Are you hopeful?

What do you get when you take one uber-stylist, one A-list actress and one very good cause? A haircare range worth knowing about, that's what.

Tell me more: David Babaii for WildAid products do all the usual stuff such as caring for your locks and ensuring your tresses are red carpet ready (David styles Kate, Angelina, Gwyneth and SJP so he should know), but it also goes one step further. See the range supports WildAid, a non-profit wildlife conservation organisation whose aim is to end illegal wildlife trade, by donating 10 percent of all profits. All products are also free from sulphates, parabens and petrochemicals, and tested on Kate, not on animals. (It's nice to know that we're not the only human guinea pigs.)

What we tried: David Babaii for WildAid Hydrating Shampoo ($22.95)

Designed for: All hair types. Thin, thick, curly, straight – it doesn't matter; this hydrating shampoo promises to bring your strands back to life.

The trial: It doesn’t take much for this shampoo to get a rich lather going, which is great; you just need to be careful to rinse it all out. While the gorgeous scent is quite strong in the bottle, the fragrance isn’t too overwhelming after use, which I quite like (but I know there are some out there who would prefer a little more staying power). After blow-drying, my hair was so soft and smooth to the touch, I couldn't wait to wash it all over again!

The verdict: Good cause? Yup. Good Product? Yup. What’s not to love?