By Constance Tyne
You know what’s really hot in fashion? Going green. Bright, natural green- and we don’t mean the color. People have slowly begun to realize the impacts of heedless over-consumption. Never one to be left behind, the world of fashion and beauty has stepped to the forefront of some great green initiatives. Keep reading for 10 tips on how fashionistas can do their share to cut back on their carbon footprint/effects of consumerism while staying fabulous!
1. Reusable application products
We all go through throw-away makeup products like mad – your bathroom garbage isn’t the only one filled with q-tips! Skip the cotton balls and wads of half-damp paper, and invest in products that last! We love this reusable makeup remover, $20!
2. Ditch the plastic!
Choose to buy from brands that are trying to go green, whether through the use of non- plastic or recycled packaging materials or refill offers! There are an increasing number of makeup brands which are trying to brand themselves as more sustainable companies; lets show our support! Here are a few brands we love: FaradayFace, Elate Beauty and Credo Beauty.
We’ve also moved to glass in our house, opting to pack our lunch every day rather than buy salads in vessels that create waste. This allows us to cut back on plastic waste on a daily basis, alongside our commitment to drinking from our S’well bottle rather than using plastic water bottles. The same goes for beauty products. One-third of the landfill is plastic packaging from makeup and consumer products, so we’ve actively sought out beauty products in glass jars that are easier for recycle.
For our glass containers, we use Wean Green. We love their colorful glass containers which are perfect for storing leftovers or bringing in lunch or snacks for work. Glass is paraben and BPA free, which is an added benefit.
3. Compost!
My editor has made it one of her missions for her and her husband to be as close to zero waste as possible. She noticed that so much of their weekly garbage creation were food scraps that could easily be compostable, so she started researching NYC’s composting policies and learned that composting in Manhattan is a relatively easy endeavor which has resulted in 70% of she and her husband’s trash now being composted. There are loads of composting drop off points all over NYC and a quick Google search of where you live will likely result in similar results! (Read our post on composting at home here).
She got a beautiful, design-forward composter for $40 from Bambooze that is on her counter which she throws eggs shells, onion peels, avocado pits and lots more of the food waste that she would normally put into the landfill.
4. Use simple ingredients when possible!
When you can, use simple ingredients for beauty! It’s best for your body and for the earth! There’s a lot in commercial products that we don’t love, so try keeping it simple. Here are some recipes for a DIY glow for that you can treat yourself to in the comfort of your own home! No need to spend lots on special formulas – some of the best beauty secrets are simple, natural ingredients that can be found in our cupboards.
5. Green ingredients
We know simple, bare-bones, cupboard ingredients are not always an option. We get it- sometimes a girl needs stuff that WORKS! In the cases where stronger products are a must, check the labels and avoid using products that contain nasty chemicals like formaldehyde, parabens, animal by-products and petroleum and paraffin. Do yourself a favor by knowing what your body is absorbing! Go shop brands like Kjaer Weis and Goop. (You can read our Our List of Our Favorite Organic Beauty Products)
6. Non-animal tested products
This is a big one. We heart cruelty free! Check for labels! Sadly, the beauty industry has been guilty of some pretty sick stuff. When you buy, you support, so invest in the best – both for you and for everyone else!
7. Thrifting > shopping
Who doesn’t love clothes? Who isn’t guilty of that occasional massive start-of-the- season haul? Over-consuming in the fashion industry is an immense problem. How can we offset this bad habit? You guessed it- thrifting! Both environmentally and financially friendly, thrifting is the optimal way to get your hands on some really great clothes. For a successful thrift, do your homework! Scout out consignment stores that draw on the kinds of styles you like. For convenience, check out online thrifting options like Thredup- perfect for our enviro-fashionistas on-the-go! Our editor-in-chief even bought her wedding dress second hand on StillWhite, you can read about that here.
8. Invest in great clothes
There’s a big trend underway right now — investing in fewer, great pieces that will withstand the test of time and fashion trends over poorly made fast fashion. Whether you’re thrifting or buying new, make good choices. Don’t buy cheap staples. You’ll thank us later. If you know you’ll be wearing something for a while – whether it’s the perfect tee, a solid pair of mom jeans, classic white sneaks, or a sleek blazer- don’t go cheap and end up buying it 2+ times down the road. Do yourself a favor and know your closet! Not only will you be far less frustrated, but you’ll be doing a favor to the earth by buying consuming less necessary material. We love brands like Everlane for this trend.
9. Ethical fashion
Did you know you can even wear recycled material? Some of our favorite looks come from… well… recycled plastic. Recycled clothes aren’t just for flaunting on the red carpet. Make green living part of your everyday wardrobe with some of our favorite recycled clothing brands such as Outdoor Voices!
10. Use Brand Recycling Programs
Shopping is inevitable, but waste doesn’t have to be. Did you know that some of your favorite brands such as Kiehls, MAC Cosmetics and Aveda will take back your empty containers so that they don’t end up in the landfill? Better yet, many will give you credit towards new products for doing so. In addition to this, we love (and use) Bausch & Lomb’s contact lens packaging recycling program. Free of charge, you can send them all of your empty contact lens containers (even from other brands) and they will clean and reuse them so that they don’t end up in the landfill. It’s a win for all involved. You can sign up for it here.