Cruelty Free Derma e. A review of a vegan option.

Derma e is a Southern California brand and was first brought to my attention upon that life changing visit (profound yet very true statement) to The Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita, CA.  Derma e products are vegan and cruelty free.  The ingredients used are all plant based, natural and organic. I have seen Derma e for sale in Bed Bath & Beyond, Whole Foods, Target, online and in other retailers in the US.  Unfortunately I could not find distributors when I did a little research and checked if they were sold in stores in Ireland, however you can order from Amazon.co.uk and they are sold in stores in the UK and Canada. The products themselves can seem a little pricey at first glance but from my experience are worth it and you only need a very small amount of any of the products reviewed below.  Therefore each jar will go a long way.

My Brain and Unemployment

This week has been a busy life week. A welcome change from the recent day to day norm. My limbo-land is finally drawing to a close. 

When you have ten to twelve hours alone with only your head and reruns of Grey's Anatomy for company you can discover a lot about yourself.  Meredith and Co. became my best friends.  I enjoyed my fantasies about Hunt and Sloan and which character I am most like on the show, but when the hour turns into three and four episodes this can quickly become old and unappealing.  I unearthed how both resilient and weak I can be at the same time.  A conflicting duality.  

Aspirations of no perspiration, an update. What I have found not wearing deodorant for 5 weeks

My aspiration of no perspiration began just over a month ago now, 5 weeks to be exact.  I took this leap to rid myself of my dependancy on antiperspirant and deodorant once and for all.  I must confess I did attempt this cold turkey in 2009 whilst working in Dublin and well, the results were an epic fail. Two days in I caved and grabbed a co-workers spray and doused myself. I couldn't cope with my own smell and that's saying something. I feared everyone could see this stench surround me like a decomposing discoloured aura. 

I know a few people, three in total that don't use an antiperspirant or deodorant and never have. All three claim that when they do use it they sweat more and smell worse than if didn't put it on.  My interest was triggered again  upon my first visit to Los Angeles.  I bought a cream antiperspirant stick and when I read a possible side effect being linked to kidney function and failure I thought that's a bit weird, what on earth is in this stick that would affect my kidneys? As a side note I did not think that I would be living in the beautiful La La land years later. Life is good that way.  Thinking no more about my kidneys I blindly went about my day.  I carried on as normal smelling powder fresh for the next 6 years.  

A Meatless Six Weeks..... My Vegetarian Voyage

Pescetarianism.  

I eat fish and so it is said I'm not a vegetarian.  Some serious googling was conducted to find out what the definitions are and what the etiquette and political correctness is around all of these labels.  I think vegetarians may take up arms with my self professed vegetarian-ness, so pescetarian it is. 
I am a peaceful person see but not ready to give up fish as well. A "green-eater" I have read is a person who avoids meat for environmental reasons.  That's me. 

If asked I say "I'm not eating meat, just trying it out, it's supposed to be good for the environment" to soften the side glances, roly eyes to heaven and the audible whispers "ah jaaayysus here we go, have ya seen yer one, gone all LA she has" followed by something else profoundly articulate referencing a meat injection, "Wha'?" says I, rolling me eyes to heaven.

As of this week I haven’t eaten beef, chicken or pork in 6 weeks and eating out has been fine in-spite of the vegetarian options in most restaurants being pretty poor. With that said I have had some delicious veggie burgers and fish dishes.  Used to it by now I can pick out the veggie alternatives straight away without having to scrutinize the menu. 

In the Beginning: A New Mission... lighter footprints... softer footsteps

I am a clueless consumer, I have a new mission.  I wish to leave a lighter footprint. 

The objective: to replace my makeup, bathroom cleaner and kitchen detergents one by one with cruelty free, not tested on animals products. If someone else is considering the same and finding it difficult to find info I hope this is somewhat helpful... Here goes...  

*(I have also not eaten meat in four weeks but I can't with conviction swear to honour that forever, I am trying though)

In the beginning

This is a story and idea born out of a mixture of both concern and boredom. Paradoxical, yes.  
I am a Gemini, an unemployed day-dreamer and as I live in thirsty California the environment is on my mind.

"I'm washing my hair". Review of L'Oreal Ever Pure Cruelty Free Shampoo

I was both delighted and shocked to see the name L'Oreal on a cruelty free list. However, it is only their Ever Pure line that is cruelty free, the rest of their products test on animals.  

Standing in Ralph's I was skeptical. I chose the option for coloured hair. I

opened the cap to do the obligatory sniff test and I was really pleasantly surprised and even more surprised with the price.  There it was smelling gorgeous for $7.99 (€8.99 Tesco / $5.99 Bed, Bath & Beyond) with the sought after claim of not testing on animals.  I practically ran up to the register so proud with my new found animal friendly choices.  

To home with me, to test I shall. 

Cruelty Free - Kinda Easy ( A Beginners Look at Brands and Products)

Updated on September 18th, 2015
The Shopping Guide

http://softerfootsteps.blogspot.com/p/the-list-animal-friendly-brands-products.html 

So far this is the list I have.  These brands are listed on the Peta and Leaping Bunny website certified cruelty free /do not test on animals.  They can be purchased in local retailers, large pharmacy chains or supermarkets, aka easy to find products.  The pics will of course be award winning and all my own.