Is Ardell Cruelty-Free and Vegan?

Ardell lashes were the brainchild of husband and wife couple, Arnold and Sydell Miller. Arnold was a hairdresser who initially made the lashes by hand from real hair trimmings.

They created their lash brand in 1971, using a combination of their names (The couple went on to create Matrix.). The lashes were intended as an added offering for hair salons but were soon flying off drugstore shelves.

Nowadays, there isn’t a red carpet event that doesn’t feature a celebrity in Ardell lashes. But the products have remained an affordable bit of luxury available to everyone. In 2017, Ardell launched their makeup range.

So many of our readers have asked it if the brand is cruelty-free and vegan. And we’ve responded by investigating. Is Ardell cruelty-free and vegan? Keep reading to find out the details.

Is Ardell Cruelty-Free?

Cruelty-free isn’t a legally defined phrase and isn’t federally regulated. For us to consider Ardell a cruelty-free brand, it needs to comply with this criteria:

• None of the products should be tested on animals. Animal testing is cruel and less than 10% effective in predicting human physiological responses. There are many more humane methods of testing available. A very effective one is in-vitro testing, which tests products against human tissue cultivated in laboratories.
• They should not test on animals even when required by law. Cruelty-free brands must decline to do animal tests even where required by law. They cannot contract third parties to test on their behalf.
• The products should not be sold in China. China requires imported cosmetics to undergo animal testing. There are signs this might be changing in the future, but currently, any brands selling in Mainland China cannot be considered cruelty-free. (Hong Kong doesn’t require animal testing.)

Are Ardell products tested on Animals?

The Ardell website states that Ardell lashes are not tested on animals. At an earlier point, this statement used to include makeup.

This is a worrying change, and readers are warned to avoid the products until we receive clarity on the matter from Ardell.

Do they test Animals when required by law? Or use a Third Party?

Ardell does not explicitly state they do not test if required by law. Nor do they confirm that they do not subcontract testing to third parties.

Are Ardell products sold in China?

Ardell is not sold in Mainland China, where animal testing is required. (Online purchases are exempt where goods are delivered directly to the consumer.)

Therefore, any brand currently selling through retail outlets in China is not cruelty-free.

There are indications that a new version of the Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) will come into effect in 2021. They will make some changes to these regulations for the good.

Does Ardell have Cruelty-Free Accreditations or Certifications?

Both Ardell (lashes) and Ardell Beauty (makeup) are certified as cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny.

Ardell used to be PETA accredited but no longer appears on a PETA search. We will investigate further.

Does Ardell have a Parent Company?

Ardell is a division of American International Industries LLC, a private company in Los Angeles, California. The company owns numerous other brands. It does not publish an animal testing policy on their website.

Is Ardell Vegan?

To qualify as vegan, Ardell products must not contain any animal parts or anything derived from animals. We have assessed the brand’s products based on this definition. Ardell does not have any vegan certifications.

Ardell lashes are synthetic and vegan. However, their makeup may contain ingredients derived from animals, and care should be taken to read product ingredients before purchasing.

Summary

Ardell is a much loved, cruelty-free American brand. It does not harm or exploit animals in the production of its lashes.

If you love Ardell and would like to see their makeup vegan approved by us, please consider contacting them and respectfully asking them to revisit their use of animal derivatives.