Beauty Without the Beasts (P)

Looking to support companies that agree with your point of view? Then this is the guide that you have been looking for. Heather Chase, a life-long lover of animals and founder of Models With Conscience, explains how to live a life filled with both beauty and compassion. Chase explains about current trends of using animal-derived ingredients like tallow, estrogen, spermaceti, and civet musk in everyday personal care products. These products involve inhumane treatment of animals - some require the animal to be killed before the ingredient can be harvested. Instead, Chase suggests some possible man-made or plant-derived alternatives, such as glycerin or jojoba. The book includes an extensive list of companies that work within the boundaries of cruelty-free production. Chase also recommends the use of synthetic or faux fur in respect to fashion or make-up brushes. She further explains that ". . . many endangered species (including lizards, zebras, deer, and kangaroos) are often hunted illegally for their hides." A few more animal-derived materials used for fashion or personal care include silk, ivory, sea sponges, and pearls. There's a chapter that addresses the benefits of eating a Vegan diet - both to humans and animals, wherein Chase shares some of her favorite non-animal product alternatives. Also included in the book is overview of the philosophy of Models With Conscience and a brief introduction to a few of their models. ...

Vegan Voice September/November 2001 Beauty without the Beasts A Guide to Cruelty Free Personal Care Heather Chase Heather Chase is the founder of Models with Conscience (MWC), an international group of models of various ages and sizes dedicated to promoting cruelty-free products and causes. Beauty without the Beasts was written because Heather was convinced that caring and compassionate people everywhere would join in her quest if only they knew more about the issues at stake and where to find cruelty-free products. This is an American-based book but it is still highly relevant for the Australian/NZ market. In the chapter "Aware Personal Care," the author gives a full description of animal-derived products, civet-free fragences and cruelty-free companies. However, this book is mainly about Heather and her models' commitment to doing no harm to any living creature. It's this alone that lends the book its most charming feature. As the photography shows, Models with Conscience aren't just about anti-specieism but are unashamably against ageism and sizeism as well. This is a thoughtfully-written book from Chase's own experience and its style is bound to attract many readers who have contemplated the concept of cruelty-free cosmetics and/or lifestyle but just haven't gotten around to it yet. She provides information and tools to help consumers choose animal-friendly skin care products, apparel, foods, entertainment, and more. Her message is "Liberate yourself and the animals by the choices you make." Each model photographed in the book gives their story about their passion for animals and why Models with Conscience is a great way to combine career goals with ethical considerations. In many cases this is a far cry from mainstream modelling practices. The bottom line is that abuse and suffering must stop and if Heather Chase has her way it will be. It must be. Today's consumers are growing increasingly animal-conscious. In no small way this gentle book contributes admirably towards that burgeoning awareness.--Jessica D'Hart

Heather Chase founder of Models with Conscience knows how to look gorgeous without harming animals. Heather started Models with Conscience on the premise that models are more radient when they have a clear conscience. This book is your must have guide to Cruelty Free products. If you are a lady like myself who loves to shop but also wants to live a cruelty free lifesyle then this book is perfect for you. Heather has included in her book a list of Cruelty Free Companies,Civet Free Frangrances,Animal Derived Ingredients,Animal Derived Materials and much much more. This book is one you need to add to your collection.

I enjoyed reading this book. I find that most books written to provoke thought are written from a condemning perspective. This book is not like that. It provides objective platforms for the reader to view such topics as animal testing (vivisection), fur harvesting, and factory farming, without accusations and guilt. This book is unique because it provides the reader with an abundance of information that can be immediately used to make changes in everyday life using everyday products. For example, if you are buying dish soap for your house, why not choose a brand that is not tested on animals? Chase gives the reader a list of over 600 companies that do not test on animals. The book is worth the price for this list alone. I urge everyone to buy a copy and read it - even if you are not an "animal lover." I have confidence that when you finish reading "Beauty Without the Beasts," you will be pleased you did and will begin to make simple choices in your everyday life that will directly benefit you, animals, and the planet.