Kind Magazine by Nwixon

Kind 14th March 2019 ÂŁ3.99

Ethical beauty Leaping bunny picks

Make your own

ONLY BUY CRUELTY-FREE How to do the swap for good Kind

Skincare, makeup, haircare and more

Blogger Tilly-Jayne Kidman

Beauty with a conscience

CONTENTS Editor’s Letter Hi there! What a month it has been for cruelty-free beauty since our last magazine. The Australian government has passed a bill which bans animal testing for cosmetics, following in the footsteps of the EU, Norway, Israel and India. This means that the governments of these countries, no longer accept how safe a beauty product is, based upon evidence of testing a product on animals. Although, with the impending Brexit deadline looming, it is unclear how the UK’s legislation on the testing of animals will be put in place. Therefore, it is so important that we continue to back animal welfare charities such as the RSPCA, as well as lobbying politicians, so that parliament continues to keep animal welfare a priority. However, Australia’s new legislation is a huge reason for us to celebrate because as we already know, change does not happen overnight, and the more countries to put this legislation in place, the more will follow. And maybe China will take note and change its mandatory animal testing laws for the better, for a kinder future. In other news, we have an exciting issue ahead for you. As it can be like navigating through a minefield in order to find beauty, skincare and cosmetic companies which do not test on animals, we have made a helpful sheet showing gold standard certifications against animal testing worldwide (p4), as well as ones for veganism and vegetarianism to help you understand what each mean. We talk to Tropic Skincare Ambassador Joanne Gemie about her job (p6). Tropic is such an amazing skincare and makeup brand with so much heart, so I would highly encourage you to go check that page out. We teach you how you can easily and inexpensively make your own skincare products (p10), using only natural ingredients with little effort required. With no added chemicals, I can guarantee that you will see such a big difference in your skin. It is a different way at looking at a cruelty-free lifestyle. So sit down, put your feet up with a cup of something nice, and enjoy. I think you will love this issue.

Natalie Wixon Editor

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The beauty therapist’s perspective Stop putting un-KIND chemicals on your face

Rainforest beauty Tropic Ambassador Joanne Gemie tells us more about the skincare brand with a difference

Tilly-Jayne Kidman Her experiences of buying with KINDness

Make your own Nourish your body on the outside as well as the inside

Vegan and Cruelty-free Eco Fair With a focus on ethical beauty products, Kokoa Eco Beauty UK is holding the first of its kind event in Manchester.Taking place on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Victoria Warehouse, the fair will feature 100% cruelty-free make-up, skincare and household products, live demos, tutorials, giveaways and much more. Visit https://www.crueltyfreebeautyshow. com/ for more information and to register for the event.

How to identify a cruelty-free product The leaping bunny logo is the internationally recognised crueltyfree symbol used by Cruelty-Free International - the leading organisation fighting to end animal testing worldwide. Formerly called The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV), Cruelty-Free International has rigourous checks in place, to ensure products certified by the leaping bunny logo, have not been tested on animals. If you see this logo on a beauty, skincare or household product, then you know it has 100% not been tested on animals. The Vegan Society’s vegan symbol is used across the world to identify products which are not made from animals or animal products. It is a great logo for people who follow a vegan lifestyle, because it gives security and piece of mind, in knowing that any food or other item with the Vegan Society’s certification, is vegan friendly.

As part of their Beauty Without Bunnies Programme, the largest animal rights organisation in the world - PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), launched a pink bunny logo to identify products which have not been tested on animals. Similarly to the Cruelty-Free International certification, brands have to apply to become a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand. If they are approved, a brand will be able to use the logo on their products and will also be listed on PETA’s handy online cruelty-free database. Comparable to the Vegan Society’s officially recognised vegan logo, the Vegetarian Society have their own logo, to identify products that animals have not been killed to make, as well as covering other aspects adopted by vegetarianism, such as only including products which use free-range eggs and which are not tested on animals. The Vegetarian Society also have a variation of their logo to identify vegan products as well.

The ‘Not Tested on Animals’ logo is another cruelty-free certification from Australian organisation Choose CrueltyFree (CCF). It is like the registered logos of Cruelty-Free International and PETA in that it has criteria for brands to meet, in order to be published as a cruelty-free brand. However, it is more commonly used by Australian brands. It also has databases listing cruelty-free brands.

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Stop putting un k i n d chemicals on your face Are your beauty products listing dozens of ingredients you cannot even begin to pronounce? Kind magazine investigates what should be avoided by enlisting the help of beauty therapist students

he ingredients in all my makeup and skincare lotions and potions was something I had never even considered until my first year of college. Sure I was aware of buying cruelty-free, but it was not until my college flatmate (who was training to be a beauty therapist at the time) presented me with a thirteen-page document highlighting all the chemicals good and bad most commonly found in beauty products. My foaming facial cleanser for example, contained propylene glycol, which I learnt was a cosmetic form of the mineral oil found in brake and hydraulic fluids, as well as anti-freeze. And I was putting this on my face. I also realised, that the majority of my skincare products contained alcohol, which has

been linked with premature ageing. To think that is the opposite of what skincare is supposed to achieve. I decided to get in touch with the beauty therapists at Northampton College to shed some light on the subject. Straight away they told me that I should definitely avoid using any synthetic products like alcohol for instance. Products with fragrance labelled as an ingredient is also something they warned me about. This is essentially what manufacturers add to made the scent of a product and that could be created using a variety of different chemicals masked by the word â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fragranceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. In fact, the students think that beauty products in the UK need to be labelled more smartly. They

think that by specifying what type of skin a product is for is the way to go, as many shoppers are misled and do not know what type of product they should be buying for their individual skin type. The beauty therapists did tell me that the best cosmetic ingredients should be natural and contain ingredients such as glycerine, rose water, lemon juice, honey, milk and water. And I do not just think that buying cruelty-free involves buying products which have not been tested on animals or that are good for the environment, but choosing products that are also kind to our own skin - showing ourselves some compassion too. And I am so glad that my beauty therapist friend told me about all added chemicals found in beauty products, so that I could personally make smarter decisions and not put unnecessary toxins onto my skin.

The average person applies 85-168 different chemicals each day via their beauty regime. (Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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A different

k i n d of

It can be a mission to find a skincare company that is ethical, made from completely natural ingredients and that is fully sustainable. But multi-award winning Tropic Skincare is all three of these things and so much more. Joanne Gemie talks about her role as a Tropic Ambassador. One of the first times I met Tropic Skincare ambassador Joanne Gemie was at a Cancer Research UK charity fundraiser. She gave me the most relaxing foot massage, using Tropic’s polishing foot pebble. It is a magical stone which exfoliates your feet and takes away any roughness. Sure enough, after rinsing them in a basin, my feet felt so soft and pillowy. Reading through a Tropic brochure I find that the pebble is made with white sands from Bora Bora and volcanic ash from Tahiti. Joanne tells me that this is because the brand believes that plants which flourish in challenging tropical climates, are the most nutritious and beneficial for our skin. ‘I have always been passionate about what nutrients are in the food that we eat, but until I became a Tropic ambassador, I didn’t appreciate just how important it is to know exactly what you are putting on your skin as well. More and more people are demanding to know what toxic chemicals are being put into their skincare and makeup. This is a great thing as it is making the larger companies rethink their formulations, so in future we will not be unwittingly subjected to (these) chemicals in our beauty regime’. And it does make you stop and think about the ingredients in all the products we currently use – unless they are Tropic of course. Joanne first discovered Tropic Skincare when she was living in Birmingham and her friend invited her to a Tropic pamper evening. Joanne was instantly hooked, calling it ‘love at first sight’. ‘My friends and I used to love having pamper evenings and we took it in turns to host them at our houses, so that we could all benefit from getting free products by using the fifteen percent hostess commission. Inviting your friends’ round, earning free products and trying the latest skincare and makeup was a win-win for us.’ Two years later, Joanne moved back home to Scotland and became a Tropic ambassador in July 2015. Tropic had launched its social selling business platform in 2013 to empower people to build their own green beauty business with them, and that is exactly what Joanne did. Since then she has grew her business by sharing her passion for Tropic with

others, to first become a senior ambassador by sponsoring another ambassador. Next she would become a team ambassador when she had a small team of three people. A few months prior to this interview and Joanne was promoted to a manager, having a team of five like-minded Tropic ambassadors. It is very clear to me that Joanne is very good at what she does. ‘This is not something I would have been able to do in any other job and it really doesn’t feel like work.’ Joanne says that being

Joanne (Left) with Tropic Skincare founder Susie Ma

“This is not something I would have been able to do in any other job” Kind

skincare brand a Tropic ambassador has given her so much more confidence, especially when delivering presentations at work, as well as helping to enhance her social skills particularly when talking with strangers. ‘A lot of people that I meet say that they couldn’t deliver pamper evenings and talk about the products like I do, but I just try to remember that my audience are there to smell and try the products, not listen to me. That helps me to relax’. And Joanne does make it clear that her job is not just about selling skincare from a computer, but instead is about actually getting out there and helping others. One of the most rewarding parts of Joanne’s job as an ambassador is holding the pamper evenings because often they help get to the bottom of people’s skin complaints. For example, many have been suffering with conditions such as acne, eczema, rosacea and psoriasis for several years. ‘Tropic has an empowering culture for beauty in your own skin and I love that the products give so many women, and men, confidence back in their own skin.’ The pamper events play an important role in how Tropic markets its products. If Tropic has helped someone with their skin then that person is likely to tell their friends, who in turn may hold pamper events of their own. Joanne says that at a typical pamper afternoon or evening she will turn up half an hour before the hostess’ friends to set up a table with the products. The hostess will offer everyone refreshments and then the group is ready to begin. Either the hostess or one of her friends will be the model for the free facial - in which Joanne will demonstrate how to use the products. Everyone else gets to try some of the products too, often using it on one hand and comparing it to the other to see how much a difference it can make for your skin. Brochures will be passed around for people to place orders if they want to and customers can also have one-to-one consultations with Joanne, based on her expertise with the products and their ingredients. The products are also perfect for vegans and coeliac disease sufferers. Joanne says ‘some people do not realise how difficult it can be to find products that do not contain gluten or milk if you suffer from an allergy’. It is even more impressive that Tropic is accredited with both PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and Cruelty-Free

International. This means that as well as not testing on animals, Tropic does not use any derivatives that could cause animals any distress. Many beauty brands out there may claim to be against testing on animals, but if they are not checked under these two organisations, then it is likely that these brands are not all that they say they are. Something else which is extremely refreshing about Tropic, is that all the products are made in the UK, in Tropic’s very own beauty kitchen. It does take the company back to its roots of when founder Susie Ma would make everything from home in her own kitchen. The most recent time I saw Joanne, my heels were badly scarred and marked from wearing a brand new pair of shoes. She tells me to use Tropic’s wonder product – the Tamanu healing balm. The cult remedy contains tamanu oil, which is once again taken from natural, tropical climates – this time the Polynesian Islands. It has been used by natives for centuries for its ability to stimulate skin renewal and healing. And now looking back after using this balm regularly, my scars have faded and my heels do not look so torn up. Consistency is key with this product, I remember Joanne saying to me. And it, like many of the Tropic products, has won numerous awards including the Beauty Shortlist Baby Award 2014 and the Veggie Awards 2017. To browse and purchase Tropic skincare, visit Joanne’s online shop www.tropicskincare. com/joannegemie. You can also search for a local Tropic ambassador in your area.

Follow Joanne on Instagram @joanne.tropic

2004

Tropic began when founder Susie Ma was 15 years old selling her homemade body scrub in old jam jars at London’s Greenwich market. For several years thereafter she makes the products in her mum’s kitchen and creates new formulas all the time.

2011

Susie appeared on BBC’s The Apprentice impressing Lord Alan Sugar, who became a 50/50 partner in her business.

2013

The Tropic ambassadors come to be as part of Tropic’s unique social selling business platform in which ambassadors choose how many hours they work, and when they work, surrounded by the support of a larger team of ambassadors fitting their Tropic businesses around their families and other commitments.

2019

#GreenBeautyRevolution

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Tropic has won over 100 awards including the Beauty Shortlist Award, the FreeFrom Skincare Awards, the Veggie Awards and more.

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Living a cruelty-free life People are still buying from the brands that test their products on animals when there are so many ethical brands to choose from. Kind magazine talks to blogger Tilly-Jayne Kidman on why this is happening.

hen I first met freelance digital marketer and blogger Tilly in November 2018, it was immediately clear to me how much she loved animals. A fellow mother to bunnies (of which she has four) and a vegetarian since around the age of seven (same age I became vegetarian too), she talked about how she was excited to try Marks and Spencer’s new ‘No Turkey Feast’ Christmas sandwich (Tilly lives a fully vegan lifestyle). She says that it was social media and the rise of veganism which really contributed to her only buying cruelty-free food, fashion and cosmetics. A former Fashion Marketing graduate at the University of Northampton, Tilly’s job involves working with clients on their digital strategy as well as working on paid campaigns as a blogger, so is it any surprise that social media’s increased documentation of veganism has had an influence on Tilly’s lifestyle, when it is such a big part of her day-to-day life? I was so elated to meet Tilly because I do not think I have ever actually met anyone in real life who puts in the effort to buy from only cruelty-free brands like I do. It’s something that deeply saddens me. Tilly says “there are so many amazing cruelty free brands to choose from, so it does make you wonder.” When I ask her why she thinks that so many people still gravitate towards brands that test despite knowing what they know, Tilly thought that it predominantly came down to ignorance and lack of education. “We

still see so many influential people, such as celebrities and bloggers using these brands and recommending them to their audiences, which is such a shame.” Which is why it is so refreshing, that there are bloggers out there like Tilly, only working with cruelty-free brands and using a social media platform such as Instagram to nudge people towards buying more ethically. Another reason why people are still not intentionally buying cruelty-free beauty products, is because of the confusion between what brands do test and do not test. Tilly tells me about the problem with China’s animal testing laws which mandate that all cosmetics products have to be tested on animals. This means that companies which don’t actually test on animals but sell their products in China are considered to be a brand that tests. In comparison, in the UK, animal testing for cosmetic purposes is banned. As for consumers, Tilly has some top advice for making the transition over from using products tested on animals to cruelty-free ones, “don’t chuck all of your products out immediately as that’s just wasteful, but instead when you run out of a product, replace it with a cruelty free version.” Tilly also stresses that there is so much more information out there now, making it increasingly easier to follow a cruelty-free lifestyle. She adds that you can head over to Cruelty Free Kitty online, which is an amazing resource listing all the brands that do not test and the ones that do, as well as

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reporting on all the latest cruelty-free news and giving extensive product guides and reviews. If you have not done so already, use Tilly as your inspiration and start swapping out your not-so-ethical brands for some cruelty-free finds.

Tilly’s top three cruelty-free buys: Haircare – Paul Mitchell Skincare – The Ordinary Make-up – Charlotte Tilbury

For more on Tilly’s cruelty-free lifestyle, follow her on Instagram @tillyjayneuk

To discover what brands are cruelty-free visit https:// www.crueltyfreekitty.com

Make your own Struggling to find beauty products which are not brimming with chemicals and not tested on animals? Look no further than our easy skin and haircare recipes.

Make your own

Hydrating shea butter face moisturiser Mix together Âž cup shea butter, Âź cup coconut oil, 5-10 drops of lavender essential oil and 2 tablespoons of water. Mixture can be stored in glass jars and will last you several months because a little goes a long way!

Nourishing hair mask Mix together 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon coconut oil and a dash of caster sugar. Heat for 10 seconds and then massage onto scalp and hair. Leave for at least 1 hour and then wash thoroughly with shampoo.

Gentle lemon exfoliator Add 2 tablespoons of caster sugar to a bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. You can use this to remove dead skin cells from your face and body.

Glowing banana hair mask Mash one ripe banana and mix together with 2 tablespoons of honey. Apply the mask to your hair from tips to scalp. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then wash out.

Other natural beauty hacks: Use rose water as a toner. Use aloe vera as a face primer. Melt coconut oil, massage into scalp and hair, leave in for at least 30 minutes and then wash hair. The exfoliator recipes on this page can be used to help cure dry lips. Just make sure you follow up with a lip balm. You could use coconut oil for this.

Revitalising coffee exfoliator Be careful because this one is messy! Add 1 teaspoon of coffee grains, 1 tablespoon of caster sugar and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.

Uplifting egg white face mask This one feels like a face lift! Separate egg yolk from egg white. Whisk egg white until it forms a foam, add lemon juice and apply to face. Let sit till dry and wash off with warm water.

Castor oil is great for strengthening and thickening hair. You could add a little bit into your shampoo and massage it into your scalp and hair. You can also put a little bit on your eyebrows and eyelashes.

Calming turmeric face mask Mix together 1 tablespoon of natural yoghurt with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon turmeric. Apply to a freshly cleansed face, let sit for 30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Antibacterial sandalwood face mask Mix together 2 tablespoons of sandalwood powder with 1 tablespoon rosewater. Apply to face, let the mask dry and then wash with warm water. Follow with a moisturiser.

Got your ears pierced recently? Combine 15ml of sweet almond oil with 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Lavender oil has antibacterial properties and is also kind to skin, perfect for healing those newly pierced sites.

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1. Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Skin Cream https://www.boots.com

2. The Body Shop Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essence SPF50 https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-gb 3. LUSH Shampoo Bars https://uk.lush.com 4. The Body Shop Satsuma Hand Cream https://www.thebodyshop. com/en-gb 5. Kokoa Organic Rosewater and Glycerin Facial Spritz https:// www.kokoauk.com 6. Physician’s Formula Concealer Conceal RX https://www.amazon. co.uk

7. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution https://theordinary.com/ product

8. Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette Pillow Talk https://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk 9. Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Blue Mascara https://www.hollandandbarrett.com

10. Kokoa’s Night Oil https://www.kokoauk.com

11. Burt’s Bees Vanilla Bean Lip Balm https://www.burtsbees.co.uk 12. Tropic Smoothing Cleanser Complexion Purifier https://tropicskincare.com

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