When you purchased your last blush or mascara, you may have unwittingly supported the McCain/Palin campaign. You betcha. Companies donate big bucks to political parties. I recently discovered some fascinating information about the political contributions of popular companies on GoodGuide. As a lover of beauty products, I, of course, went right to the list of personal care companies. I learned a lot. I was surprised to find that many companies give to both parties and that The Body Shop gives way more to Republicans than Democrats. Chanel also leans Republican. Shiseido only gives to Republicans. Aveda and Burt’s Bees give only to Democrats. And L’oreal is right in the middle.
Check out the list for yourself. Are you going to think twice the next time you pick out a tube of lipstick?
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I knew that a lot of companies give exclusively to Democrats (Borders) or Republicans (Barnes & Noble), but I never thought about the beauty companies I use.
It might begin to sway my purchasing decisions. Even though my purchases of Chanel products is limited and doesn’t account for much, I hate to think I would have, in any way, supported a McCain/Palin legacy had there been one.
love this post
dude, how bad do you think i feel? i was OBSESSED with chanel makeup in 1999/2000… does that mean?
argh… i don’t even want to say it.
❤ Grace, I know what you mean! I love Chanel and Shiseido but… oh, man.
❤ Thanks Oni!
❤ Jennine, what have you done?! hahaha!
Oh my goodness I had no idea??!!!
I am am going to have to think twice before buying..you betcha!
Thanks to everyone for their interest in our site! Beyond our political data, GoodGuide rates products and companies on their health, environmental, and social performance… So you can find out if there are nasty (or good) chemicals in your makeup.
Check out:
Top rated products in makeup: http://www.goodguide.com/browse/184398-Makeup/top
or
Top rated products in skin care:
http://www.goodguide.com/browse/184401-Skin-Care/top
I’m glad I didn’t buy any stuff from these companies.
That doesn’t mean I didn’t unwittingly “donate” through other purchases I made. I’d better go and have a look.
Not that I knew, but I’m glad to know that my Burt’s Bees obsession has done a little good!
wow, now thats something. so even if i buy some of that stuff in germany, i still could be contributing to one of the parties??
i hate it when fashion/brands get involved with politics in that way…
i know… it’s strange, rocky and i were going through the list last night, and noticed a lot of german companies on there… and it’s kind of brings closer to home the fact we live on one planet, and it’s all connected.
Crazy! And so interesting! I will be buying more Burts Bees than Chanel now, which will be better for my skin (organic), the environment (organic), my political views and my wallet. All-win situation… What do I do to get a nice matte super-pigmented red lipstick though?
❤ Alixrose, I’m going to be doing the exact same thing.
❤ Jodi, thanks for the tip. I need to look at your site more often.
❤ Enc, the list is definitely enlightening. It’s amazing how much companies donate.
❤ Allison, I know what you mean. I also use Burt’s Bees.
❤ Kate and Jennine, isn’t that a trip? You don’t even have to live in the U.S. to get involved with our political system. Kooky.
❤ Market Publique, I used to wear that kind of Chanel lipstick for several years. I will keep an eye out for a something comparable.
Market Publique, here are the GoodGuide top rated lipsticks in red:
http://www.goodguide.com/products/top_and_bottom?filter=red%20lipstick&ontology=default
Maybe not what you’re looking for, but then again, you might find a brand you simply love that’s better for you too!
very interesting!
i highly doubt chanel supports mccain. perhaps some people who work for them do. how accurate is this site you went to? i’ll have to check out more than just this site your talking about to get the full scoop.
@market publique… i use loreal drumbeat red, which happens to be listed as number 1 for red lipsticks in the good guide (i didn’t know when i bought it) it really stays on. but as far as campaing conributions… it’s not much better than loreal, expect they seem to be right in the middle.
@stepahnie well, they got thier info from the Center for Responsive Politics
http://www.opensecrets.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenSecrets.org
which seems pretty legit.
I was thinking about this again today as I saw my Chanel perfume, face cream, nail polishes and mascara waving at me. There’s me thinking I’m super savvy when it comes to shopping of any kind and this, wow, I never knew about this. I’d hate to think I’d inadvertently donated to the Sarah Palin & family clothing fund.
❤ Thanks, Val!
❤ Stephanie, the information is based on a study by the Center for Responsive Politics (see the links Jennine provided), which is a research group that tracks money in politics. The data includes contributions to federal candidates and party committees by company political action committees and individuals connected to the organization, such as employees, officers, and their immediate family members.
By rolling over each individual company, you can see exactly how much was donated to each party.
❤ Claire, I agree. It certainly makes me think twice about my purchases.
Thanks for this guide i love Chanel perfume and Face Cream at me.
I will be buying more Burts Bees than Chanel now, which will be better for my skin.
Also Thanks to everyone for their interest in our site! Beyond our political data,