Don’t get me wrong, I participate in a number of faux beauty rituals, just like any other woman does! I’ve done false lashes, false nails; I’ve abandoned my natural hair colour, and I insist on blowing out my frizzy curls into lustrous waves, coated in a colourful array of heat protectants, hairsprays, oils and the like.
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I buy and apply a large number of beauty products that aren’t necessarily the friendliest for my skin, hair, or the planet.
Over the last year, we’ve all come to experience our fair share of unsettling discoveries about some beauty products we all know and love to use to achieve our stylised looks.
From L’Oreal products linked to uterine cancer, to the unfathomable amount of single-use plastic and packaging generated within the beauty industry, we’re all aware of it, on some level.
The beauty industry and the ritual act of feminine grooming go hand in hand, though. We can’t just abolish these habits for ‘better, more sustainable’ routines overnight.
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What we have seen, though, is a growing awareness around sustainable beauty alternatives. Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither is an eco-friendly beauty routine. We take it step by step, swapping out the products we learn aren’t the best for us, or the planet, with products that are less harmful, and cleaner.
It takes time, finding what works for you. That’s why it isn’t an overnight feat. Our Beauty Editor, Jade, spent months searching for a natural deo that doesn’t contain aluminium, that really works. After months of research and testing, she finally found the right one. Now we’ve shared it with you!
The more we learn, the more we should educate others on healthier or more sustainable options that work for us.
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Take the single-use sheet masks we all have come to know, love and use frequently. Consumers are growing more aware of these single-use plastic products, which are used once and then thrown away, eventually ending up in landfills or polluting the ocean. Opting for products that are kinder on the planet is top of mind for conscious consumers. Instead of a single-use plastic sheet mask, opt for a multi-use mask and avoid the plastic packaging.
As we shift to consider more sustainable alternatives, our views on beauty shifts, too. Many beauty enthusiasts predict that natural looks (and formulas) will continue to rise in popularity in 2022.
ALSO SEE: Low maintenance beauty hacks for 2022
This doesn’t mean doing away with your beauty routine completely. Rather, it’s a simplified, more realistic approach to beauty. One that does away with falseness.
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In a shift away from the faux, we see less focus on bold makeup products, and more focus on products that match the natural glow of the skin. We step away from large sweeping lashes, and embrace the natural beauty and curve of the eye. We keep skincare top of mind, and we gain a better understanding of our skincare needs and concerns, focusing less on keeping it all ‘under wraps’ behind layers of makeup.
We want natural, youthful and vibrant skin. We want to flaunt tones of pink, nude, and brown to match our natural glow. We may even step away from aesthetic treatments and focus on short-term hacks to achieve fuller features, like practicing face yoga, or finding your perfect lip liner hack.
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When it comes to shopping, we’re keeping it local, cutting the cost on emissions and supporting small businesses producing top-shelf sustainable beauty products. We love a brand that’s transparent about what they use, from packaging to skincare ingredients.
As mentioned, we can’t do it all in a day. It is good to know, though, that globally, there is a shift towards a natural, clean approach. It means that every little step we take towards embracing beauty au naturel, is helping the planet, and helping us embrace the natural side.
Compiled by Savanna Douglas
