Lyla Lindsey
NARS cosmetics has long been considered a cruelty-free brand, but its decision to enter the Chinese market in 2017 has stirred up a lot of confusion and debate about its cruelty-free status. China requires animal testing for imported cosmetics, and while NARS claims that it does not conduct animal testing itself, it consents to its products being tested on animals by Chinese authorities. This has led to a loss of trust among consumers who prioritize cruelty-free products and feel let down by NARS' decision to prioritize profits over ethics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cruelty-free status | NARS is not cruelty-free |
| Animal testing | NARS allows animal testing where required by law, including in China |
| Parent company | Shiseido, which is not cruelty-free |
| Vegan products | Some NARS products are vegan, but the company is not cruelty-free |
| Customer response | Negative, with some customers feeling betrayed and choosing to boycott NARS |
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What You'll Learn
NARS sells its products in China, where animal testing is required by law
NARS is not a cruelty-free brand, as they sell their products in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law. NARS is owned by Shiseido, a company that tests on animals.
China has been the only country that requires animal testing for cosmetic products, which has prevented beauty, skincare, and personal care brands from gaining cruelty-free accreditation. However, China has recently relaxed its animal testing laws, allowing some companies to bypass pre-market animal testing.
As of 2024, the vast majority of beauty brands available in China have had their products tested on animals. NARS is one such brand, as they have chosen to enter the Chinese market, despite the animal testing requirements.
Some sources suggest that NARS does not test on animals or ask others to do so on their behalf, except where required by law. However, this does not change the fact that their products are likely to have been tested on animals due to their availability in China.
While it is possible for brands to bypass animal testing in China, it is currently very rare and involves "jumping through several hoops". One way to do this is to only sell products online and not in physical stores.
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NARS is owned by Shiseido, a company that tests on animals
NARS is not a cruelty-free brand. The company has been sold to Shiseido, a company that tests on animals. Shiseido is a global conglomerate that engages in animal testing and owns several brands that are not cruelty-free.
NARS was created in 1994 by François Nars and was later sold to Shiseido in 2000. While NARS itself may not directly test on animals, it is likely that its products have been tested on animals due to its availability in countries with mandatory animal testing regulations, such as China.
In 2017, NARS announced that despite being against animal testing, selling products in the Chinese market required them to comply with the country's mandatory animal testing laws. This decision upset many customers who were previously loyal to the brand due to its cruelty-free status.
As a result of this decision, NARS is no longer considered a cruelty-free brand. While some people choose to boycott NARS and its parent company Shiseido due to their animal testing policies, others may choose to support them based on individual ethics or a lack of independent alternatives.
It is important to note that NARS is also not certified as cruelty-free by any organizations, such as Leaping Bunny or PETA, which further calls into question its commitment to animal welfare. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid NARS products, even if they are marketed as vegan, as the company is not cruelty-free.
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NARS is not certified by any cruelty-free organisations
NARS lost its cruelty-free status in 2017 when it began selling in China, where animal testing is mandatory. Although NARS claims not to test on animals, it allows its products to be tested on animals when required by law. This means that, despite NARS not conducting the tests themselves, they knowingly allow Chinese authorities to test their products on animals in order to sell in China.
NARS is owned by Shiseido, a company that tests on animals. Shiseido's overall policies and practices can influence NARS' operations, especially when it comes to international sales and regulatory compliance.
Some consumers feel let down by NARS' decision to sell in China, which has led to some people switching to other brands that have a clearer commitment to not testing on animals.
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NARS has some vegan products, but is not a vegan brand
NARS is not a cruelty-free brand. They may test on animals, either themselves, through their suppliers, or through a third party. NARS is owned by Shiseido, a company that tests on animals. Shiseido's overall policies and practices can influence NARS' operations, especially when it comes to international sales and regulatory compliance.
NARS lost its cruelty-free status in 2017 when it began selling in China, where animal testing is required for imported cosmetics. NARS claims that they do not test on animals or ask others to do so on their behalf, except where required by law. However, by selling in China, NARS must consent and pay to have their products tested on animals. This means that their products were likely tested on animals, and they are not cruelty-free.
While NARS is not a cruelty-free brand, they do have some vegan products. A "vegan" product contains no animal-derived ingredients, such as beeswax, carmine, or collagen. However, because NARS engages in animal testing, it is recommended to avoid any products they offer, even if they are vegan.
Some people feel let down by NARS' decision to sell in China, as it goes against their cruelty-free values. This has led to some consumers switching to other brands that have a clearer commitment to not testing on animals.
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NARS previously had cruelty-free status
Prior to this decision, NARS was widely considered a cruelty-free brand, even though its parent company, Shiseido, was not cruelty-free. This meant that while NARS itself did not test on animals, its parent company did. This distinction is important because it shows that NARS had, at one point, committed to not testing its products on animals, even though its parent company did not share the same values.
The decision to start selling in China was likely a difficult one for NARS, as it involved choosing between sticking to their principles or chasing bigger profits in a huge market. Ultimately, the brand chose the latter, and this decision upset a lot of customers who felt betrayed and misled. Many customers who prioritised cruelty-free products felt let down and some even decided to boycott the brand.
It is worth noting that NARS claims that it does not test on animals or ask others to do so on their behalf, except where required by law. The company also states that it is committed to advancing alternative testing methods and supports organisations working towards a cruelty-free world. However, the fact remains that by selling in China, NARS is consenting and paying to have its products tested on animals, which goes against the principles of being cruelty-free.
While NARS may have had cruelty-free status in the past, its current practices do not align with those principles. This change in policy has led to a loss of trust and loyalty from customers who valued the brand's previous commitment to avoiding animal testing.
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Frequently asked questions
NARS is not cruelty-free in Australia. NARS sells its products in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law.
NARS claims that it does not test on animals and does not ask others to do so on its behalf. However, the company has stated that it will allow animal testing where required by law.
NARS offers some vegan products. However, because the company is not cruelty-free, it is recommended to avoid any products they offer even if they are vegan.
NARS lost its cruelty-free status in 2017 when it began selling in China, where animal testing is mandatory. The company is also owned by Shiseido, a parent corporation that engages in animal testing.
