How Drew Barrymore Rebels Against Animal Testing

Drew Barrymore may finally be getting her flowers as a talk show host, but the multi-hyphenate has had an impact on our lives for much longer than her show has been on air. Barrymore has inspired an entire generation to push boundaries and be rebellious with their beauty looks and products — and it's something she continues to do today as brand ambassador for Garnier, which is celebrating two years of being officially approved by Cruelty Free International. In 1996, she made us want to get a bob — with bangs! In 2007, she made us want to get a butterfly tattoo on our stomachs. In 2023, she's convinced us that there's never a bad time to 1) dance in the rain and 2) use products that don't test on animals.

Her partnership with Garnier is new (Barrymore began working with the brand in 2021), but her love for beauty has been lifelong. "I started working at 11 months old, and have been a regular in the makeup chair since," she tells us. "Seeing how transformative it can be — how beauty can change a person's look, their mood, their whole energy — never gets old." But like any long-term relationship, this one had its growing pains.

Unattainable beauty standards force many young people to believe that their hair, their bodies, or their skin isn't beautiful enough. Those expectations aren't any easier for young child stars under the magnifying glass of Hollywood, but Barrymore is proof that those feelings of imperfection don't have to last forever. "Over the years, I hope that I have become kinder and gentler to myself," she says. Less judgment and more acceptance are her new priorities, especially now that she has daughters. "Becoming a mother gave me a new appreciation for my body . . . and a new responsibility to my girls to be sure that I have a healthy relationship with myself and could lead by example."

Leading by example is Barrymore's forte, but her far-reaching influence is just one reason why she was a perfect partner for Garnier. She admits that she's always had a love affair with animals — her "roommates" include four cats, two dogs, and a bearded dragon — which is exactly why she felt drawn to the role of brand ambassador. "Not only are their products accessible and of great value, but they also have become one of the largest brands Cruelty Free International has ever approved under the Leaping Bunny Program," she says. For a brand the size of Garnier, becoming Leaping Bunny approved can be a massive undertaking. "They had to diligently review every supplier worldwide, but that did not hold them back."

Brands like Garnier are leading the charge to help standardize non-animal testing across the beauty industry. Luckily, there are consumers out there — including Barrymore, who is also technically a common consumer like the rest of us (sort of) — are willing to learn more about animal testing in the industry and how it can be eradicated. Barrymore adds that since working with Garnier, she's learned that this is an ongoing commitment, which can open up doors to smaller brands as the impact of Garnier's approval by Cruelty Free International goes down the supply chain. The industry is an evolving one, which means we have to evolve with it. "It's really up to us, the shoppers, to do our due diligence on the brands that we want to support," she says. Besides affordable prices, Barrymore is always on the lookout for that Leaping Bunny logo. One of her favorite products is the under-$10 Whole Blends Hair Honey Repairing Serum (stars, they're just like us!).

The future of beauty looks different to everyone right now, but for Barrymore, the eternal optimist, it's bright. "[I'm excited] that we're moving toward a more sustainable and greener future. My favorite brands are setting goals for themselves and giving themselves a deadline, which is powerful," she says. And animal testing? Not impossible to ban. "There are other ways to test beauty products, and it does not need to be on animals."