Beauty without the Beasts [Paperback]

Heather Chase (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Chase, founder of Models with Conscience (MWC), is an advocate for "cruelty-free products." In this book, she urges people to use cosmetics made from natural substances, wear nothing made from animals (including wool or leather) and eat only vegetarian foods. A longtime pet owner, Chase grew increasingly dismayed by the cosmetic industry's propensity to test products on animals, often with little regard for their welfare; this prompted her to form MWC, which promotes cruelty-free products. In her (apparently irony-free) words, "There are three main criteria for becoming a Models with Conscience affiliate: a pleasing physical appearance, genuine compassion for animals, and the ability to radiate confidently in front of the camera." Her positions, however, are rather extreme: she objects, for instance, to the use of silk, arguing that "it has been confirmed" that silkworms feel pain during the silk-removal process. The most useful sections of the book are the lists of "cruelty-free companies" as well as animal-derived ingredients. However, Chase's corny, clich‚-ridden prose ("Each of us really can make a difference and leave the planet better than we found it... lead through your own example and inspire others to adopt a more humane lifestyle") is tiresome, and unlikely to change the habits of the unconverted. (July)Forecast: According to survey research, 60% of women say they prefer to buy products that were not tested on animals so there may be a market for Chase's information, though perhaps not her platitudes.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 137 pages
• Publisher: Lantern Books (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930051603
• ISBN-13: 978-1930051607
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,222,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the read!, January 21, 2002

By 

Ken Beller "Coauthor, Great Peacemakers" (Sedona, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beauty without the Beasts (Paperback)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unsure which cosmetics are truly ethical to use?, May 22, 2002

By 

Melanie Wilson "mongoliamel" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beauty without the Beasts (Paperback)

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. ...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Veggieglobal editors choice, March 8, 2002

By 

John O'Donnell - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beauty without the Beasts (Paperback)

Are you already vegetarian, or a still a carnivore with an increasingly niggling conscience about what (or who) you eat, wear and rub on your body? Either way, Beauty without the Beasts will gently expand your awareness how animals are exploited beyond the shrink-wrapped steak in the supermarket chill cabinet. The more we extend our compassionate focus on issues such as animal tested products and animal ingredients in other items besides food, the more likely such offending companies will alter their policy for the better... we would hope. So making a difference to how companies exploit animals in their products means knowing what product and then simply NOT buying it. Heather Chase's book highlights these issues in simple but effective terms and will certainly help you make conscientious decisions when choosing beauty products.
Wonderfully un-patronising, unpretentious and oozing uncluttered common sense ... BwtB simply states facts and realities about commercial exploitation of animals, from cosmetic industries to circuses. It is both a useful resource and compassionate person's oracle in achieving inner harmony and outer beauty whilst clearly avoiding cruelty to animals.

Beauty without the Beasts is editor's choice at Veggieglobal and Looking-Glass UK (formerly Amazon Site of The Week)