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NON-PROFIT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Lisa Levinson

215-620-2130

[email protected]

Very Visual, Very Bizarre

PUBLIC EYE: ARTISTS FOR ANIMALS WELCOMES WACKY HAIR SCULPTOR JULIUS VITALI TO A CRUELTY-FREE MAKEOVER & WILD HAIR CONTEST

PHILADELPHIA, PA (December 9, 2006) - Imagine turning your hair into a cage filled with plastic bunnies. Hair sculptor Julius Vitali can do this for you at Public Eye: Artists for Animal’s Cruelty-Free Makeover and Wild Hair Contest. Experience the benefits of using cruelty-free products through makeovers, product demos and creative hair designs. Be tame or be wild, with passion and compassion! Don’t miss the Wild Hair Contest, a first for Philly. Vitali’s hair sculptures, “Preposterous Hair,” follow in the tradition of those worn by Queen Marie Antoinette. They appear in Panorama, Stern, and Elle magazines and in the prestigious international exhibition Fashion and Surrealism.

Dec. 9^th Free event at Essene Market & Café

719 S. 4^th St. Philadelphia, PA

11-3pm, “Cruelty-Free Makeover” featuring hair sculptures by Julius Vitali, haircuts by Juliene Ebner of Juju Salon & Organics, skin care by Cheryl Baldwin and Mary Finerty of Communitas Holistic Healing Center, make-up by Kymm Horan of Arbonne International and artist Sondra Rosenberg, cosmetic testing info by Vicki Katrinak of the American Antivivisection Society (AAVS)

3-4pm, “Wild Hair Contest”, enter your hair design created by Julius Vitali or come with your own wild hair design on the theme of cruelty-free cosmetics or animal testing (contest judged by a volunteer panel) Prizes include: Cruelty-free cosmetic gift basket, free haircuts at Juju Salon and a $100 certificate from Arbonne International

Contrary to what many believe, product testing in the cosmetic industry remains a painful and unnecessary reality for many animals. Public Eye: Artists for Animals presents a day of cruelty-free beauty to raise awareness about cosmetic companies that do not test on animals and encourage people to make educated consumer choices this holiday season. Why? The holiday season is the busiest time of the year for self-care purchases.

“Millions of animals are killed each year in tests for cosmetics companies,” says Lisa Levinson, director and co-founder of Public Eye: Artists for Animals, a Philadelphia group helping animals through the arts.  “But animal tests are not required by law or by the FDA. We want to inform people about progressive companies that don’t test on animals. At our Makeover, people can try cruelty-free products and feel good about what they’re putting on their skin and hair.”

The Cruelty-Free Makeover offers a local slant on companies featuring products that don’t test on animals: 

• Discounted haircuts by Juliene Ebner of Juju Salon (4^th & South St.); all-natural, non-toxic and organic professional hair & body products
• Skin care demos by Cheryl Baldwin and Mary Finerty of Communitas Holistic Healing Center (Narberth, PA); Lluvia™ Rainforest Essence Skin Renewal System from the Amazon Rainforest
• Makeovers by Kymm Horan (New Jersey), Independent Consultant and Area Manager for Arbonne International; plant-based line of vegan, hypoallergenic skin & body care, make-up, nutrition
• Makeup designs by artist, Sondra Rosenberg featuring cruelty-free cosmetics from Essene Market & Café
• Speakers from the American Antivivisection Society (Jenkintown, PA) present the current status of product testing in the cosmetics industry and answer questions about animal experimentation

Public Eye: Artists for Animals’ mission is to teach compassion for animals through the arts. We produce educational and entertaining public arts events to shed light on hidden or ignored injustices and to promote a cruelty-free lifestyle. Public Eye is a project of Mobilization for Animals Pennsylvania Inc., a 501C(3) nonprofit organization.

More information: 215-620-2130 or www.publiceyephilly.org