Introduction
Cosmetic Verdict ("we", "us", or "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you visit https://www.cosmeticverdict.com (the "Site"), how we use and share that information, and the choices you have with respect to your data. By using the Site, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
This policy is written to be readable and concise. If you have questions, email hello@cosmeticverdict.com.
Information We Collect
Information you provide to us directly. When you contact us via our contact form or by email, we collect your name, email address, and the contents of your message. We do not require you to create an account to use the Site.
Information collected automatically. Like most websites, we collect certain information automatically as you browse, including your IP address, browser user-agent, approximate geographic region (derived from IP), pages viewed, referring URLs, and timestamps. This information is collected through server logs and, if later enabled, third-party analytics tools (see "Third-Party Analytics" below).
How We Use Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- To respond to your messages. If you write to us via the contact form or email, we use your name, email, and message to reply to you.
- To operate and maintain the Site. We use server logs and automated data to diagnose technical issues, prevent abuse, and ensure the Site is available and performs well.
- To understand how readers use the Site. Aggregate, de-identified analytics data helps us decide which topics to cover next and how to improve page layout and navigation.
- To comply with legal obligations. We may retain and disclose information when required by law or in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with a judicial proceeding, court order, or legal process.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
A "cookie" is a small text file that a website can place on your device. We use cookies only for the following limited purposes:
- Cookie consent preference. When you accept or decline the cookie banner, we store your choice in a cookie so the banner does not reappear on your next visit.
- Analytics cookies (if enabled). If and when we enable third-party analytics providers (see next section), those providers may set their own cookies in accordance with their privacy policies. We will update this section at that time with specific provider details.
Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings, including to block or delete them. If you block cookies, some features of the Site (such as remembering your cookie consent choice) may not work as intended.
Third-Party Analytics
As of the Last Updated date above, we have not yet deployed any third-party analytics scripts on this Site — including Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Microsoft Clarity. Server logs are our only source of aggregate visit data.
In the future we may add privacy-respecting analytics tools (for example GA4 or Clarity) to help us understand reader behavior. If and when we do, we will update this Privacy Policy with:
- The name of the specific analytics provider(s) we use;
- Any Measurement ID, Clarity project ID, or equivalent identifier;
- A link to the provider's privacy policy;
- Instructions on how to opt out, where available.
We do not sell analytics data to ad networks or data brokers, and we will not enable ad-targeting pixels on this Site.
Your CCPA Rights
If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") grants you specific rights regarding your personal information. Subject to certain exceptions, these rights include:
- Right to know. You may request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you in the preceding 12 months.
- Right to delete. You may request that we delete personal information we collected from you, subject to exceptions required or permitted by law.
- Right to opt out of sale. You have the right to opt out of any "sale" of your personal information. See the next section for our explicit statement.
- Right to non-discrimination. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights — for example, by charging you a different rate or denying you access to the Site.
To exercise these rights, email hello@cosmeticverdict.com with "CCPA Request" in the subject line. We will respond within 45 days. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling a request.
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Cosmetic Verdict does not sell personal information — as "sell" is defined by the CCPA and broadly interpreted — to any third party, for any purpose. We never have. We do not participate in ad exchanges, data broker lists, or cross-site behavioral advertising networks that would constitute a sale.
We also do not knowingly share personal information with third parties for their own commercial purposes without your consent. The only third-party services that may ever process personal data on our behalf are email delivery (for replies to your messages) and, if later added, privacy-focused web analytics — both acting as service providers under written obligations of confidentiality.
Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These steps include HTTPS (TLS) for all traffic to the Site, server-side access controls, and limiting the scope of data we collect in the first place.
That said, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Children's Privacy
The Site is not directed to children under the age of 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we become aware that a child under 16 has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete that information promptly. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 16, please contact us at hello@cosmeticverdict.com.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time — for example, to reflect new analytics tools, legal requirements, or Site features. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where changes are material, we may add a notice on the Site homepage or send you an email if we have one on file. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Contact
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, our data practices, or a rights request, please contact us at:
Email: hello@cosmeticverdict.com
Response time: Within 2–3 business days for most inquiries; within 45 days for formal CCPA requests.