When it comes to cruelty-free brands, there can be a lot of confusion about which brands are cruelty-free and which are not. In an attempt to make things easier, this post series hopes to help clear up the cruelty-free stance of some of the most asked about brands on Logical Harmony. A lot of people ask, “Is NARS cruelty-free?”. NARS is known for making great base products and products that have a consistent cult following, like Orgasm blush. They are a widely well-known brand available at stores like Sephora, Nordstrom, etc.
Is NARS cruelty-free? Keep reading to find out the details.
Is NARS cruelty-free?
Sadly, NARS is not a cruelty-free brand. They have long been known as one but some recent changes have occurred and NARS is no longer cruelty-free. While there is no animal testing occurring on NARS products or ingredients by NARS, or a parent company, NARS is going to start testing on animals when required by law.
Are NARS products sold in China?
They will be. NARS has confirmed that they are expanding into the Chinese market in 2017 and acknowledged that their products will be tested on animals as a part of this expansion.
The following statements were received from NARS:
“NARS does not support animal testing. Our position and values on that point have not changed. However, we are a global brand and, like many of our peers, we must comply with the legal requirements and mandatory local rules of each market we are in. We are launching in China later this year and local regulations mandate animal testing on imported cosmetics. We have updated our website FAQ to reflect this global expansion.”
“Thank you for reaching out. NARS is excited to bring our vision of beauty and artistry to fans in China, consistent with our long-held commitment to empower women and men everywhere. NARS does not test on animals or ask others to do so on our behalf, except where required by law. We are subject to the local laws of the markets in which we operate, including in China where products are subject to animal testing.“
Does NARS test on animals when required by law?
Yes. Sadly, NARS does test on animals when required by law.
NARS has now updated their FAQ page to include the following:
“NARS does not test on animals nor do we ask others to test on our behalf, except where required by law. NARS is actively working with industry and other partners to eliminate animal testing globally and is committed to the development and acceptance of alternative methods. We are equally dedicated to the health and safety of our consumers ensuring we meet the highest in quality standards. We remain committed to bringing our vision of beauty and artistry to more fans around the globe, as part of our long-held commitment to empower women everywhere.”
Who owns NARS? NARS is owned by Shiseido.
Is Shiseido cruelty-free? No. Shiseido is not cruelty-free.
Does NARS have vegan products? Yes. NARS does have some vegan products.
Despite them having a parent company that is not cruelty-free, NARS had been one of the most dependable cruelty-free brands for a lot of consumers. The recent changes to the NARS Cruelty-Free stance are upsetting to many. I encourage you to reach out and let NARS know that being cruelty-free does matter to you, and that this change in the NARS cruelty-free status may mean losing you as a customer. Feel free to the template below or add it to any emails you may send the brand:
“I love that NARS has been a cruelty-free brand and, as a customer, I am very sad that NARS has decided to enter the market in China and take part in required by law testing to do so. One reason I supported NARS was due to the NARS cruelty-free status. Because of this change, I will no longer be a NARS customer.”
I am very sad to be sharing this news with you. I hope that NARS will change their mind and remain cruelty-free.
If you’re looking for cruelty-free dupes for some NARS products, JKissa Makeup, who covers cruelty-free beauty on YouTube, just made this great video. In it, she shares some dupes for some of her favorite NARS products. I knew that a lot of you would be asking about cruelty-free dupes for NARS products, so thank you to JKissa for making this and letting us share this here on Logical Harmony!
Courtney from Phyrra, a cruelty-free beauty blog, also created a list of cruelty-free dupes for NARS products as well.
NARS has been owned by shiseido for quite some time, meaning their parent company does test on animals. Just something to think about; this isn’t really new. If someone was purchasing their products prior to this transition into the Chinese market, they were already ultimately supporting a brand that frequently tests on animals. Everyone is suddenly lashing out when it’s been this way for a long time. Along with many other brands that people label as cruelty free such as Laura Mercier and bare mineral (both under shiseido) important to do research especially when it comes to these topics!
Lots of people were and are aware that their parent company is not cruelty-free, but the issue here is that NARS itself was not testing on animals and was cruelty-free themselves. This is very different than simply having a parent company that isn’t cruelty-free. It’s another brand starting to test on animals. Regardless of how you feel about a parent company that tests, I think we can all agree that any brand deciding to start testing on animals is a step in the wrong direction.
This is so sad! I loved NARS and I can’t believe that even this brand is putting profits before values.
As always, thank you for the information Tashina!
I sent an email to NARS and they proceeded to send me this generic response:
“Thank you for reaching out. NARS is excited to bring our vision of beauty and artistry to fans in China, consistent with our long-held commitment to empower women and men everywhere. NARS does not test on animals or ask others to do so on our behalf, except where required by law. We are subject to the local laws of the markets in which we operate, including in China where products are subject to animal testing.”
I hope that they receive enough emails to re-think their decision. It has been such a big disappointment because I’ve been such a big NARS fan for years.
Does anyone know when exactly is Nars going to start selling in china?
They haven’t announced an exact date other than a bit later in 2017.
I totally just wrote a huge rant to NARS! I am extremely disappointed in them! I am going to tell everyone I have ever recommended NARS to what kind of a company they truly are. I will also go to my local ulta and Sephora to educate their workers because many don’t keep up with cruelty free brands. I have told many workers on various occasions that NARS was a cruelty free option and I will be sure to let everyone know that they have sold their morals!
How did you contact them? I can only see a customer services email address on their website. I would love to email them as they were one of my favs 🙁
Goodbye Nars, I’m no longer a customer. 🙁
This is the reason why I only use cruelty free certificated brands
In this day and age where technology is abound, you’d think companies can use alternatives to animal testing. So of course, NARS is in my list of “do not support.” Hopefully, L’oreal will come through with their new skin program soon!
Unfortunately, loreal still sells in China, so they do comply with China’s animal testing requirements.
This is disgusting to me. What an ugly beauty company they’ve turned out to be.
I’m so disappointed in NARS, I loved their products, but will no longer be purchasing them! Thanks for alerting me of their change of policies.
I’m very disappointed to hear this, sometimes it really does feel like one brand will take one step forward yet another falls two steps behind. I def want to voice my opinion about this, does anyone know the email address that I’m supposed to contact?? I’m struggling to find it
Nars was my favorite makeup company.. I’m so heart broken!
“We’re against animal testing but this market we don’t have to enter makes us so, oops sorry” is the lamest thing to hear from a previously CF brand. I’ll never understand it. Don’t tout morals you’re willing to sell out. Ugh. I stopped buying NARS when they sold to Shisedo, but it was nice to have the option for folk who don’t share my views on parent companies. Never thought they’d be a brand to do this. With the recent losses of Becca and Hourglass to testing parent companies I wonder if there’s something in the water. It’s feeling like one step forward, two steps back at the moment.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Tashina! I’m so disappointed xx
Very shocking and sad news. I have already emailed Nars to say i will no longer be a customer! Hopefully there is a big backlash about this and they reverse their decision like Urban Decay! Thanks so much Tashina x
Unfortunately, I don’t think they will listen to us. China is a huge market for luxury goods, especially make-up and fashion, and have surpassed the USA and UK in amount sold. I fear it’s only going to get worst. So, so sad.
Urban Decay listened to their customers so theres always hope!
Thank you. You are so right. THERE IS ALWAYS hope. I do not like hanging in the? neg. THERE ARE many that put their customer before their greed. Especially if they announce their loyalty to their company have been 100% and now the decision they made is making them 0% committed to them. They should Express sadness as well. Let them know how much they loved their product but cruelty free means so much more and so sadly have to move on to other cruelty free brand. And so on. If enough of us pound this on them there is a big possibility our voice will be heard. For all the negs out isn’t it better to see changes for the better called a positive outlook? Ofcourse it’s better so if you want to see greater changes for the better for a more positive outcome, turnarounds?, solution etc do the work instead of doubting and complaining. There is power in numbers so I hope everyone that sees this write to them. Our positive hope is that they will say “wow I didn’t know my decision was going to affect so many people. I didn’t know I had so many customers that I am now going to disappoint.” I’m a firm believer of positive energy. They have a heart, and if we touch their heart right way you just may see the positive changes You’re hoping for flowing out like a ray of sunshine. So everyone PLEASE it’s crucial that we all were to them help them to see the seriousness of their change such as remind them that one more company added to testing means billions MORE animals to test on on top of the billions already being tested on. Remind them that you know they really have s compassionate heart that really do care about animals, ask them if they want to see the vdo of the ABSOLUTE HORROR these animals go through. Tell them it’s a neighbor’s dog the beloved pet cat a baby monkey that was still clinging to his mother. Tell them “These are the lives you are committing to bring hell to till their gruesome, excruciating, horrific death”
Yeah, I understand your passion. I have it too. The reason why I know they aren’t going to listen to us, is read their b.s. respond to everyones outcry. The difference between them and Urban Decay is that Urban Decay almost immediately recanted and changed their mind. NARS *is* a luxury high end brand, and those brands are always sought after in China, moreso than UB.
I would do anything if it meant they would truly change their mind. It isn’t me being ‘negative’, it’s me being realistic about the changing and growing Chinese market has become the #1 buyer of luxury goods, which unfortunately, NARS is.
Luckily there are a lot of dupes for their products, so I won’t need to repurchase my HG from them ever again.
I didn’t start my makeup loving journey by extensively seeking out only cruelty free brands.. However.. Maybe because of YouTube and all the pr and info being put out there by beauty channels, and being made more aware of how my dollars affect this industry, I just refuse to support any company that i know is not cruelty free. Besides being cruel, it is completely unnecessary to test of animals. Nars is a brand that’s supposed to be prestigious and an industry leader.. And as such, they’re supposed to set an example for the industry. Their recent cop-out will leave even those customers who aren’t cruelty free with a bad taste in their mouth. They have definitely lost me as a customer. When they’re ready to cut the crap, please let me know.
Totally disappointed. You don’t have to expand your market to China. I’m so tired of hearing this excuse that it’s required by Chinese law. Since when did we all start living under Chinese law ? WILL NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM ANY OF YOUR COMPANIES!!!!!
I’m so sad they aren’t cruelty free anymore! I never was able to afford any NARS items but always wanted them. this will not affect my transition to cruelty free I guess and will save me money. Thank you for your post!
And here flows the money but goes integrity… Such a shame.
This is horrible! NARS was one of my favorite, higher end brands that was CF. what a disappointment and how disgusting that NARS is doing this
I am so tired of the easy corporate excuse “global company”…
Blah blah blah….they don’t need the Chinese market..its greed
This is such a shame.
Why does NARS have to be sold in China anyway? I imagine the companies have tons of money & simply want more. The green eyed monster is always near…
This is totally disappointing. They have some excellent products and have succumbed to China’s strict regulations.