Recently, I was browsing through Netflix and decided to watch "Legally Blonde" and "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde" both for the first time. I know what you are thinking, how could I have waited so long to watch these two life-changing movies? Anyways, if there is anything I learned from Elle Woods, it's that you can't shower for 24 hours after a perm, good facials result in redness in the T-zone, and animal testing is outright wrong.

Animal testing is something we don't even think twice about. We all know it goes on, but we don't want to acknowledge it. We're willing to support companies that test on animals if it means that we can draw a wing on the top of our eyelids or add a little shimmer to our cheekbones.

So what? Why is animal testing bad? It's basically like a pet makeover, right? Wrong. Animal testing results in over 100 million animals being burned, crippled, poisoned, and abused every year. As if this is not bad enough, no pain relief is provided and at the end of a test the animals are killed, normally by asphyxiation, neck-breaking or decapitation. So there you go, now you know, and it's time to make a change.

"In this case, the cost of beauty is way too high." -Elle Woods

Even more frustrating, companies are not even required by law to test their products on animals. So why are companies doing this and why are we letting it happen? Consumers hold the power in the marketplace, and if there's ever been a reason to use that power, this is it.

Hopefully, at this point you're wondering what you can do to end animal cruelty. The answer is simple. Start buying your cosmetics and other products from cruelty-free companies. Forget about Maybelline, Revlon, Estee Lauder, Mary Kay, MAC, and Covergirl, which all test on animals. Instead, try Too Faced, NYX, Smashbox, Physician's Formula, or Urban Decay to get the same look without the cost of harming animals. You don't have to give up makeup, shampoo, lotion, or anything to be a friend to the animals. Simply switch to cruelty-free companies.

Additionally, check to make sure your household cleaning products are not tested on animals. Clorox, Febreze, Lysol, Tide, and Windex all test on animals. Exchange these products for products made by Attitude, Mrs. Meyer's, Method, or CleanWell. You can even make your own!

To clarify, products that are not animal tested are still safe. Cruelty-free companies use ingredients in their products that are already known to be safe. Therefore, there is no need to test on animals.

You can be just as glamorous by using cruelty-free products. Top of the line companies such as Lush and Paul Mitchell are also cruelty-free. All you need to do is a little research, and you'll be on your way to helping animals.

So, snaps for you for taking the first step in ending animal cruelty!

The wonderful thing about our society is the world can change with just one popular tweet or post. Help spread the word and end animal cruelty. Other countries such as Europe, India, and Israel have banned animal testing, and it's time for the U.S. to follow their example. As Elle woods would say, "Speak up, America. Speak up for the home of the brave. Speak up for the land of the free gift with purchase. Speak up, America!"