The Cruelty Free Nailpolish Round Up: If Crushed Bugs Aren’t Your Thing

This picture is ironic on many, many levels.

What it’s called on the package: carmine, crimson lake, carmine lake, cochineal, natural red 4, C.I. 75470, E120

What it actually is: Carmine is a red pigment made from crushing female cochineal beetles, and it reportedly takes 70,000 dead insects to make one pound of red dye. Helps to achieve red shades in make up.

Where it may be lurking: makeup, particularly in red lipsticks, blushers and nailpaint.

A shocking list of … Read Full

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