HOW TO REDUCE WASTE FROM YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE
LIFESTYLE, TRENDING
We’ve got a guest writer today! One of my dear friends, Braille, is sharing some helpful tips we can all incorporate into our beauty lives. Here you ladies go...
Have you ever thought about how much waste goes into your beauty routine? Daily? When you think about the packaging alone, it’s almost all plastic that, more often than not, gets recycled improperly or not at all. Do you ever feel guilty throwing away all those shampoo bottles? And think about the crappy ingredients in so many products. Maybe it doesn’t happen often, but we’ve all fallen victim to that last-minute lipstick purchase we just HAD TO HAVE for that one night in Miami when we all wore sequins and danced on the table, right? Those chemicals, when produced, create so much waste before even arriving at your doorstep. Not only are they bad for the environment, but they can cause all sorts of problems for your health. If you’ve ever felt happy and sad at the same time (SO to our girl Kacey!) about getting all dolled up without harming the Earth (or your health!), then here is a list of things we can all do to help out on both ends.
1. Number one is this (and everyone can do this, no excuses): Go makeup-free more often. Show off that beautiful face of yours! When you wake up in the morning, wash your face and rinse with a warm, wet towel. Put on some yummy eye cream, followed by face moisturizer, and maybe some rose water spritz. And rock that natural, dewy, "I woke up like this" look! Save yourself some time in the morning and maybe try out a different form of self-care, like dry brushing. Not only will you reduce your waste by using fewer products, but you'll also reduce the amount of chemicals you’re exposing to your body and the environment. According to a study by the Environmental Working Group, women use an average of twelve products a day, which could potentially contain up to 200 chemicals. A DAY. ON YOUR SKIN. COMPLETELY BYPASSING YOUR METABOLIC SYSTEM. Which leads me to number two...
2. Invest in quality ingredient products. Don’t fall for the bright, dense colors and the four-dollar price tag. Ok, I know that’s so hard, but seriously, try! Learn the terminology of those hidden, crappy ingredients and take the time to read labels. Have you heard or seen the word "parabens" (also known as methylparaben, butyl paraben, and propel paraben)? Parabens are commonly used as preservatives and are found in a variety of beauty products. These chemicals easily penetrate the skin, mess with hormone function, and have even been found in breast cancer tissue. We read the labels of our food, so why wouldn’t we do the same with what goes directly onto our skin? More than 12,000 chemicals are approved for cosmetic use in the U.S. Did you know that many of the chemicals found in makeup do the exact opposite of what you would like them to do to your skin? Those chemicals will AGE you. Faster than you would naturally. A quick story: back in the early days of Geisha culture (I always think of Mulan, as the Disney princess nerd that I am), when they would all paint their faces white as snow (unintentional Disney princess reference, I swear), women started falling ill, some even dying. It was soon discovered that the powder they used on their faces was poisonous. It was lead, and it wasn’t until after several deaths that it was discovered. Like, what? Women were putting poison straight on their faces to alter their appearance? Just a story I read in the book "The Secret Lives of Color"... not intended to scare you, but rather to interest you in researching the ingredients of your makeup.
3. Stop with the disposables already! It’s probably the easiest change you can make that will eliminate so much waste. There will always be a time and place for a good ole disposable wipe, a cotton ball, and, of course, a sheet mask. But did you know that most wipes aren’t biodegradable, and if they are, they will take at least 100 years to decompose? Basically, all of your makeup wipes will outlive you. You’ll die, and they’ll live forever. COOL. I’m sorry, but there is no reason disposable wipes need to be part of your every-day beauty routine. There are so many reusable options out there nowadays! The trick is to find reusable, washable, organic cotton pads. When it does finally come time to toss them after so many uses, they will decompose back into the earth. According to Amazon reviews, bamboo can be used over 1,000 times!
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