Ah, it’s that time of year again…sunny skies, cool weather, jasmine blossoms perfuming the air. So lovely.

And of course there’s the Lancome event at Neiman’s. It is reserved for only those “special” customers who spend outrageous amounts on products as they fill you up on champagne. I used to be one of them.

But when I got the email from my former favorite Lancome Product Specialist, I had to reply.

Hi Sue,

Thanks for the email and for all of your great customer service the past few years. However, I wanted to let you know personally that I no longer use or purchase any Lancome products. After doing some research, I learned that Lancome products are in fact animal-tested despite Lancome’s intentionally misleading claims. I refuse to buy any products that are not cruelty-free because animals should not have to suffer invasive and cruel tests for beauty products.

Animal tested products and cosmetic companies include any of the following:

• any products animal tested by cosmetic companies (often the “new, improved formulas” contain these)
• any animal tested ingredients that are used by cosmetic companies in their end products (Lancome uses animal tested ingredients)
• cosmetic companies whose parent companies sell animal-tested products, as the profits roll up to the parent companies
• cosmetic companies that sell to China, which requires animal testing (Lancome sells to China)

I will continue my campaign to Lancome to urge the company to end the cruel practice of animal torture. I hope that they will have the vision and compassion to see past their perception that they would not be profitable without subjecting defenseless animals to cruel, invasive and unnecessary testing. The consumer landscape is continually evolving and we will no longer tolerate cruelty to animals for the sake of Lancome’s financial gain.

If and when Lancome stops using animal tested products and ingredients, selling to China and masquerading their products as medical drugs, I would be open to reconnecting with you. Until then, please remove me from your mailing list.

Thanks,

Ruth

I felt a little bad unleashing all of that on her, but it needed to be said and I wanted to get off of her mailing list. I think I made my point. Maybe she’ll send it to Lancome?