Lipsticks, eye shadows, make-up tools and skincare saviours… There are so many beauty products on the market these days that it can be slightly overwhelming and extremely tempting to buy everything you see. This is especially true when it comes to online shopping and perusing the aisles in shopping centres. But there are ways to limit the amount you buy and to make wiser choices when it comes down to clicking ‘add to cart’, as each purchase can potentially impact our planet in detrimental ways. Here are our top 4 tips for becoming a conscious beauty consumer!
Look out for recyclable packaging
An easy way to make more conscious choices when it comes to buying beauty items is to check the packaging for recyclability. Products that can be recycled will have a symbol on the back stating which parts can be recycled and what category they belong to. This is a simple way to reduce plastic wastage and to ensure that the price of looking good is not harmful to the planet.
Ditch plastic altogether
Better yet, putting away the plastic altogether is an even safer step towards protecting the environment from thousands of years of lingering packaging. Many beauty companies sell product options which contain no plastic at all, as instead they are wrapped in biodegradable packaging or they can arrive at your door in their natural, ‘naked’ state entirely. A simple product to swap would be soap for example – instead of buying a plastic bottle full of soap, switch to a bar instead. Easy!
Make a wish (list)
If you find that you’re constantly tempted to buy the newest product launch or collection, you’re not alone. With so many diverse formulas, fragrances and textures available on the market today, it’s almost impossible to not feel cravings for never-tried-before products. But, if you buy everything you fancy straight away then chances are you’ll end up wasting what you’ve snagged as you won’t be able to finish the product before it expires, or you’ll simply keep buying until you forget about your other purchases. To stop this from happening, consider making wish lists online instead. There are multiple browser extensions you can have which help you save coveted products to certain personalised collections, so you can go back and see what you’ve had your eye on at any given time. This is a great way to keep tabs on potential purchases without buying them all at one time. It’s a win-win!
Follow more responsible brands and pages
Social media has a knack of getting us to want more and to move onto the next big thing before even processing the last trend. This can result in over-spending, under-using and a feeling of never being fulfilled or satisfied by what you’ve bought. To minimise these toxic traits, try following brands and pages that advocate for more sustainable choices and ethics and that don’t bombard you with constant noise and newness as a way to pick your pocket. You can also log out of social media for a little while to refresh your mind and focus on the more important things in life too.
Go Eco Love is proud to be a brand that avoids plastic packaging, uses vegan formulations and materials and seeks to educate individuals on sustainability and caring for communities. Check out our other blog posts on how to start your sustainability journey today – every little helps!