The Body Shop has L'Oreal-ed. Where do we go from here?
The Body Shop, in the general public's eye, has represented a commitment to promoting community trade, non-animal testing and environmental friendliness. The Body Shop was, in short, a godsend to women who were aware and sickened by the horrors of animal testing in the beauty trade, and didn't want the guilt of needless deaths on their vanity. In short, they did not want to have blood in their lipsticks or eyeshadow anymore. But is it, really? Since I started hearing about stuff behind the company's modus operandi (THE BODY SHOP FILE: Beyond "Shattered Image"), I've been looking around for alternatives. But I've been half-hearted in my replacement campaign, because Body Shop products were kind to both my pockets and my conscience. They work well for me too, and besides, rumours were easy to start, and you can't believe everything you hear... or so I kept telling myself. This is despite the extensive use of SLS - Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, a common but harmful foaming agent in what are promoted as pesonal care products made with natural ingredient (more). But something else happened, and now I'm even more determined to get through with my replacement regime. On Mar 17, this year, the Body Shop agreed to a L'Oreal takeover! Now any self-respecting anti-animal testing girl will tell you, L'Oreal is the P&G of the cosmetics world. Worse, L'Oreal is 26% owned by Nestlé. You do the money-trail following yourself. For further entertainment, here's some online stuff precipitated by the takoever announcement:
- Press release 17 March 06 by Baby Milk Action
- The Body Shop Say Yes To L'Oreal takeover by Treehugger
- DISPATCH: Every Body Grows Strong by Ann Roddick
- UK: Body Shop's Popularity Plunges after L'Oreal Sale (news)
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