Hello! As someone who wears make up every day and loves pretty, shiny things, I realized a while ago that some of the brands I was purchasing from were not, shall we say, the most ethical. This really upset me, because no matter how lovely a piece of furniture, comfortable a dress, or perfect a lipstick...I really didn’t want to be compromising my own ethics in the pursuit of my materialistic yearnings. One list became several, one brand to avoid became upwards of 20. Therefore, this blog!

Just to preface: I’m a Causasian woman in her early 20′s in her last year of university. I’m really passionate about art history, accessibility in museums, and make up; the three intertwine more than you think. I continuously strive to be as intersectional with my feminism as I can be and to use what privilege I have for the benefit of others. I am not vegan. My personal standard of ethics is highly colored by my emotional response to situations. I’m going to try my best to explain why I’m choosing not to purchase goods from the brands I will list below (as well as why I love other brands), but if you have any questions about why I’m choosing to cut some brands/companies out of my life then I’d be happy to explain further!

With that being said, I just want to remind you that as a consumer, you have immense power. Your likes and dislikes, your politics and beliefs, all this comes together in what brands and companies you choose to patronize. Capitalism is a hydra of a system but being an informed consumer is one way to gain some power back and wield your influence.