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Is NARS Cruelty-Free and Vegan?

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Nars Products

Is NARS Cruelty-Free?

NARS is NOT cruelty-free.

Is NARS Vegan?

NARS might have some vegan products, but I don’t consider any of their products vegan since they test on animals.

Is NARS PETA Certified?

No, NARS is not PETA certified, and PETA lists NARS as a company that tests on animals.

Is NARS Leaping Bunny Certified?

No, NARS is not Leaping Bunny Certified.

Is NARS Owned By A Parent Company That Tests On Animals?

Yes, NARS is owned by Shiseido, a company that tests on animals.

Animal Testing in China

Animal Testing is required by law in China for all foreign cosmetics companies. All American and European cosmetic brands that are sold in China must undergo animal testing. 

Any brand that chooses to sell its products in China cannot be considered cruelty-free. Even products that can bypass mandatory tests may still be pulled from the shelves by Chinese authorities to be tested on animals.

This does NOT include products that are made in China, only if they are sold in China. 

The only way to know if a brand sells products in China is to ask them directly. Make sure to note that Hong Kong is not included in this policy, and neither are products only sold online to Chinese consumers.

Is NARS Sold in Mainland China?

Yes, NARS is sold in mainland China.

This is the statement that NARS has on their Customer Service page about animal testing:

NARS' Cruelty-Free Claims

They also admitted in their email to me that they sell their products in mainland China.

Cruelty-Free and Vegan Alterntives to NARS

Athr Beauty

Athr Beauty is a cruelty-free and vegan brand that was created to marry ancient medieval science and contemporary clean formulations. They offer high-quality, vegan, and sustainable makeup that harnesses the power of nature.

You can get 10% off your order on Athr Beauty’s website using the code HALEY.

Cover FX

Cover FX is a cruelty-free and vegan brand that was founded on the belief that people can have both clean ingredients and high performance in one brand.

Rare Beauty

Rare Beauty is a cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics line started by Selena Gomez. Rare Beauty is breaking down unrealistic standards of perfection. ​ This is makeup made to feel good in, without hiding what makes you unique.

Shop the full list of 100% vegan and cruelty-free brands.

Email to the Company

Before classifying any brand as cruelty-free and vegan, I send them an email with the following questions:

  1. Are your products vegan? If only some are vegan, which ones?
  2. Are any of your products or ingredients tested on animals?
  3. Do you have a Leaping Bunny or PETA certification?
  4. Do your suppliers or any third parties test animals on your behalf?
  5. Does your company sell products in mainland China (except Hong Kong)?
  6. Are you owned by a parent company that tests on animals?

Here is how NARS responded:

I am very happy to hear of your interest in our products. NARS Cosmetics does not contain any ingredients derived from mammals, though certain products contain fish or insect-derived ingredients such as silk and honey. Many of our cosmetics and skincare items are suitable for vegan customers. However, some of our products do contain one or more of the following: Carmine, Beeswax, or Lanolin-derived ingredients. Such ingredients are clearly identified on our website.  Each individual product has a full ingredient list for easy viewing by our clients.
NARS Cosmetics does sell products in stores in mainland China and upholds all testing and regulations in the countries we sell in. 

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