I really like Avon products – the Anew skin care line is phenomenal, the insect repellant sunscreen worked a treat for me in SE Asia, and Glimmersticks eyeliners are a holy grail products for me. Women around the world use these products – I popped into an Avon boutique in Malaysia last year and saw all kinds of women inside browsing – Desi women in sari, Malay women in business clothes, Chinese women, Muslim women with hijabs…It gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling to have makeup and skincare routines in common with ladies on the other side of the world. Avon showcases that world-wide appeal in a positive way by featuring a diversity of women in its brochures and on its website.
Avon bills itself as The Company for Women, and I believe that wholeheartedly. The direct selling has changes people’s lives -I liked this BBC radio documentary about Avon ladies in South Africa supporting their families with their sales. The Avon Foundation tackles two very important causes that predominately affect women.
Avon is universal.
Unfortunately, the universality of Avon means it’s now selling in China, too. Avon was the first makeup company in the world to become cruelty-free, but selling in China means that the products will be indeed be tested on animals.
Now, Avon is a bit sly with this situation – the company continues to maintain that Avon itself does not test. And it doesn’t! But allowing their products to sell in China means that they might be tested on animals. I’m disappointed in this development. Animal testing is not something I really think about until the companies I rely on to be cruelty-free, no longer are. I’m not sure if that applies to Avon or not.
Is animal testing something you think about? Do you avoid companies that are not cruelty-free?
There’s no reason for make up companies to test on animals Period. Avon, however, is pressured to market themselves to China due to increase pressure to deliver growth, as a result, they are force to look the other way regarding animal testing. There’s just too few advocates that are pressuring Avon not to do so.
I was so sad to learn this, especially when I was a rep, and the Glimmersticks eyeliners were definitely HG material for me too! I just gave up everything when I heard the news. Apparently, Mary Kay also started testing again. I don’t care if they don’t test “themselves”, the simple fact that they allow such practice for profit is beyong me. Screw them!
It’s very disappointing.