The Current | Vol. 31 Issue 27

March 23, 2021 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 7 Arts & Entertainment Clean beauty labels for beginners Many times, we hear news that certain beauty and health brands we are using are unsafe or unethical -- but what does that really mean? In many cases, we see a bunny sticker or labels such as “cruelty-free” or “not tested on animals” as indicators that the brand is using ethical protocols in the production of health and beauty products. However, there are actually many different types of categorizations for the different types of ethical types of beauty brands. Here are just a few of the differentiations. Clean beauty Clean beauty refers to beauty products that are used for any type of product that avoids certain ingredients in their finished products. These ingredients tend to be controversial, harmful or are known to be synthetic and bad for you. These ingredients may include things like parabens or silicones. Therearemanydifferent certifications you may find on products claiming to be clean -- be sure to research the ones on your products to find out if they’re up to standard. Vegan Vegan makeup, plain and simple, is made only of ingredients that have not been taken in any part from animals. Many people do not consider anything that was tested on animals as vegan, either. This has actually been proven to Consumable masterpieces: An in-depth review of the musical comedy “Company” Stephen Sondheim has been described as one of the most important figures to touch American musicals, reinventing the genre. The composer and lyricist forged a new path in Broadway, creating realist musicals that dealt with unexpected themes for those times. “Company” is a prime example of Sondheim’s attempts to change the palette of musical-goers, and boy, is this musical a tasty one. Taking a group of one-act plays written by George Furth that depict one lead hanging out with a couple, both Furth and Sondheim reorganized the plays, deconstructed them and rebuilt them as scenes of one project with songs to go along with it. “Company” not only displays structural superiority, but it shines in its writing and lyricism. “Company” is not for the faint of heart, so put on a bib and let’s dig in. The plot “Company” was an attempt to portray real adult relationships and adult problems, which went against the grain of the escapism art that flooded Broadway in the 1970s. It is a compilation of vignettes about the lead character Robert, also known as Bobby, who contemplates marriage while being around his several married friends and his three girlfriends. The musical depicts a semi-linear story about yearning, dating life, the ups and downs of marriage and growing older. Most of all, “Company” tackles the struggle of finding something, or someone, in a city as big as New York. The structure The story structure of “Company” takes you through the many emotions surrounding the subject matter and does so with ease. Almost every vignette is accompanied by a song. Although the story is nonlinear since nothing in the plot changes drastically from point A to point B, the progression of Robert’s thoughts are what make for a powerful story. The viewer takes this journey with Robert as he chases an answer to his romantic longing. Thanks to the excellent and honest writing of both Furth and Sondheim, the audience is able to understand the story and empathize with Robert. The music The music is strong in this piece. There are tunes you can hum, metaphors to make you cry and one-liners that truly crack you up. Sondheim’s songwriting is Iceland, Finland & Norway – Explore Virtually March 23 | 2 p.m. RSVP Live Guided Meditation by Meditation Breaks March 24 | 8:30 p.m. RSVP The Walrus Talks at Home: Mental Health March 25 | 7 p.m. RSVP Uncovering Hidden Stories: Women in the Archives March 26 | 10 a.m. RSVP Gentle Yoga for Terrible Times March 27 | 9 p.m. RSVP Refusing to be Silent – Women’s History Month Celebration 2021 March 28 | 4 p.m. RSVP Zumba March 29 | 6 p.m. RSVP conversational and witty, honest yet truly representative of the character’s own beliefs. The numbers go from big and loud ensemble pieces to somber one-person ballads. The music provides what the scenes don’t: the window into the feelings of the characters. It’s a first-person point of view into what’s really going on behind the decisions and lives everyone has made for themselves. The music stands out and stands strong as a literary device on its own. Means of digestion (Where to find it) The show went through a revival in London in 2018 and included characters who were gender swapped -- namely “Bobbi,” the now female lead -- and was very progressive. It has been on hiatus since the pandemic, but there are still means of digesting this musical. You can find the book online at most e-shops as well as the recording of the original cast. The 2007 revival and the 2018 revival are also on most music streaming services and you can even find a DVD version of the 2011 revival on Amazon. Bring a box of tissues and some popcorn because this musical will take you everywhere. J.L. Glasthal Contributing Writer be better for people with sensitive skin as it has less harsh ingredients and irritants. For more information on certified vegan products, visit Certified Vegan. Cruelty free Cruelty free makeup indicates that the products were not tested on animals. Most beauty brands test their products on animals as a way to test for any dangerous reactions, but cruelty free makeup does not use animals as a way to test these products and instead uses other testing methods. For more information on certified cruelty free products, visit Cruelty Free International. Neha Simon Contributing Writer Beware of false labels Sadly, sometimes, these labels may not be true. In some cases, these labels that they use are actually completely useless. Some makeup companies may create loopholes or lie about their ingredients because of the poor FDA regulations surrounding some of these labels. Although this is disappointing to find out, there are still many companies, like Lush, Barry M Cosmetics, The Green Beaver Cosmetics and many more, that use not only ethical, but also sustainable practices within their business.