L’Oréal Bans Badger-Hair Makeup Brushes
The largest cosmetics company in the world bans all animal hair from their collections, after a shocking exposé into the badger-brush industry revealed badgers languishing on fur farms before being brutally killed.
The world’s largest beauty and cosmetics company L’Oréal Group, has announced a landmark ban on products that use animal hair.
The move will prohibit the likes of makeup brushes that can often be made from animal hairs sourced from animals including badgers and goats.
L’Oréal’s ban follows a lengthy campaign from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which saw nearly 80,000 supporters sign their name to urge the cosmetics brand to stop profiting from cruel products made from animal hair.
Many consumers are often shocked to find out that makeup brushes can contain real animal hair, and a recent undercover investigation into the badger-brush industry revealed how animals suffer in captivity to supply the product.
Shocking footage from the investigation showed badgers confined to small wire cages on farms in China. At the end of the badger’s short, miserable lives, workers beat them and slit their throats, all so the badger’s hair can be used in products like makeup brushes and paint brushes.
In a particularly disturbing scene, one badger continued to move for a full minute after his throat had been cut.
“Every badger- or goat-hair brush represents a sensitive animal who endured a violent death,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “L’Oréal Group’s compassionate decision will help PETA push the beauty and art industries to embrace synthetic brushes that don’t harm a hair on a badger’s head.”
L’Oréal Group now joins nearly 100 other brands that have also banned badger-hair brushes including The Art of Shaving, The New York Shaving Company, and Beau Brummell.
Want to find-out more about beauty and fashion that’s free from animal cruelty? Check out Species Unite’s Beauty & Fashion guide for advice on the best cruelty-free brands and more.
More stories:
Species Unite
A collection of stories of those who fight the good fight on behalf of animals.
The footage was reportedly recorded at Marshall BioResources in North Rose, New York, where up to 22,000 dogs - mostly beagles - are being bred for animal experimentation.