Things to consider before buying eco make-up: 

It’s easily overlooked, possibly because cosmetics are so ingrained in our daily lives, we just don’t think about them. We don’t think about how harmful our makeup routine is and how it affects our planet, this will vary depending on the sorts of products you use. Here is a handy list of things to consider before buying - 

1. Greenwashing – Greenwashing is something we should always be wary of. Many big companies try to appear eco-friendly by using popular terms that are related to living a greener lifestyle. They often use natural ingredients, which seems great, but it means that those natural ingredients are then being farmed and mined in un-environmental and unethical ways. Just because it says it’s natural, doesn’t mean it’s better. Buying products that use sustainable, easily renewable, organic, ingredients, and researching how the products are made can prevent us from falling into Greenwashing traps (source https://botanicaltrader.com/blogs/news/how-your-beauty-products-are-killing-coral-reefs-turtles-rainforests-more)

   
   

2. Palm Oil – By now, most of us know that Palm Oil is awful for the environment, and what’s worse is that it’s everywhere.  Palm Oil is one of the biggest destroyers of the rainforest Which is why it is so important to always read the label. Anything containing  palm oil, palm fat, palm kernel oil, or anything on this list is best avoided.  (Source https://botanicaltrader.com/blogs/news/how-your-beauty-products-are-killing-coral-reefs-turtles-rainforests-more)

   
   

3. Plastic – Plastic is a huge factor when looking at our environmental impact. From tubes wrapped in plastic film to hard plastic tubs, and all of the applicators in between, there are very few cosmetics that don’t have a plastic component. Recycling them is one option but not all plastics are recyclable, and when they are they must be completely clean. The best way to avoid plastic is to find things that come in glass containers, or even better, go for refillable options! (Source https://botanicaltrader.com/blogs/news/how-your-beauty-products-are-killing-coral-reefs-turtles-rainforests-more)

   
   

4. Chemicals – Make-up unfortunately contains lots of toxic chemicals such as parabens and triclosan. That are not only bad for our skin, but our oceans too which get contaminated when we wash our makeup off. The water goes down the drain, and gets into our waterways, causing damage to the environment. If we opt for non-toxic products, it’s going to be better for us, and better for our waterways. (Source https://brightly.eco/cosmetic-ingredients-harmful-environment/)

This list isn’t exhaustive; it is just a handful of ways we can help by becoming  aware of the environmental impact our cosmetics have on the environment. The best rule to live by in general, is to only buy what we need. It’s easy to get caught up in special edition makeup sets, or trying new things before we’ve finished using a similar product. This can be incredibly wasteful, so always ask yourself first - Do I need this? Do I have a similar product at home? Will I use it regularly? Let the answers guide you on if you need to buy it. 

What to buy –

Now that we’ve gone over some of the areas of environmental damage caused by our make-up routines, it’s time for the fun stuff – what green alternatives are there out there?

I am delighted to say that there are loads! 

• Zao Make-Up – Zao do a vegan range of cosmetics that are both refillable and organic. You can also buy them from online eco sites like Eco Sal*and you can get 5% off by using voucher code ASHLEIGHWAGGOTT

• Love The Planet – Love The Planet sell a range of mineral products from eye shadows to foundations that come in reusable tins! You can then buy the refillable products once you run out. They are plastic free, vegan, and free of nasty chemicals, and the colours are amazing.  

• Nicmac – Nicmac offer a good selection of low plastic make-up brushes, and refillable eye shadows. 

• The Body Shop – A recurring problem I hear about eco products is that they aren’t always accessible. Although refill shops are becoming more popular, and seem to be popping up all over, finding products in the usual high street shops isn’t always easy. That’s why I love The Body Shop, although it’s a well known high street brand, they make eco products easily accessible. They do still have room for improvement, but what I’ve learned is that they are slowly making those changes. While their products aren’t plastic free, some of them are refillable or made with recycled plastic, they also have a recycling scheme. Plus they’re vegan, and chemical free! 

There are many more products and businesses out there, this is just a small selection. Again, I wouldn’t rush out and buy all new products, because it’s so important to use what you have first. I also wouldn’t get overwhelmed by the choices available. Enjoy the experience of replacing things as you go, and discovering new, much loved products.  

One final, super important message that I can’t stress enough is that trying to attain a perfect sustainable life is almost impossible, and by doing so we often cause ourselves anxiety. We don’t need extra anxiety in our lives. If these swaps aren’t for you, they aren’t for you – although I must say eco make-up is lovely! But there are always other swaps you can look at, as long as you are aware and conscious about doing what you can - that’s what matters.