Beauty nerds worldwide have been taking more and more steps to join in the biggest cause we have: our planet. Straws started coming into the spotlight as a problem in 2018, and I’ve been seeing new ways to reduce waste all over. So let’s dive in and save the planet!
Bamboo Toothbrushes
We all should be brushing our teeth twice a day to support healthy dental hygiene. Regrettably, plastic toothbrushes take a very long time to break down in trash receptacles. One thing that I started doing in August 2019 was using a bamboo toothbrush. I’m currently on my second brush (they last about 3 months, much like plastic ones), and they’ve both been just like using a regular toothbrush. I found the ones I use at Marshalls, so the two pack was about $5. Here’s a 10 Pack on Amazon that you can grab if there isn’t a place for you to pick them up close by.
Halt Single Use Consumption
Up until early 2019 I used single use makeup wipes. They’re easy to travel with, simple to use, and accessible as heck. But I started using Micellar water early last year, and I’ve been loving that. Micellar water removes your makeup with a washcloth. So instead of throwing out your wipe every day, you just use your regular face washcloth! For Christmas, my mum did me one better, and stuffed my stocking with two MakeUp Erasers. These are better than Micellar water because all you need with them is water! Much like washcloths, you can just throw these in the wash when you’re ready to clean them. So while I was using single use makeup wipes while I traveled, I’m no longer doing that! I am also looking into mutli-use “cotton” swabs for cleaning ears, Diva Cups for menses, and I’m working to not buy single use face masks (sheet masks).
Shop in Person
This one may sound a bit weird, but shopping in person tends to be better for the world. Yes, you have to spend the gas to get to the store, but if you plan your trip well, it won’t be going to the store just for beauty products. Not ordering cosmetics and beauty items also means that you’re using less packaging and reducing your carbon footprint (products have to travel less because they aren’t coming directly to you).
Reuse, My Dudes
Whether you’re buying in person or ordering online, beauty items still have a lot of packaging! One of the ways I fight this is by reusing packages. I haven’t bought leave-in conditioner in ages because I mix conditioner and water in a recycled spray bottle. A lot of packaging is paper or boxes. I use the boxes as gift boxes (if they’ll fit items), and I’ve been cutting up paper packaging to turn them into paper worms (confetti to keep items safe). Of course, not everything can be reused, but doing what you can to reuse and recycle is a step in the right direction.
Buy Less
This may sound odd coming from someone who buys products to review, but generally purchasing less is a good thing. I can look through the makeup that I currently have and see that a ton of it is expired. That stuff doesn’t need to be in my apartment, and I definitely don’t need to buy more! I’ve been working hard to declutter my collection, use what I already have, and only repurchase when I am out of something. For example, I used up all of the straggler eyeliners I had, because I found an inexpensive one that I really like (it’s this one, from e.l.f.). And I won’t be buying any new eyeliners until I use it up! I definitely struggle with not buying eyeshadow palettes; I bought 2 last year. They both have some really unique shades in them, and I do not plan on buying more this year. A good way to slow your purchasing is to shop your stash. That is just a cute way to say “check your collection!” Often we already own most of the colors that are in a potential new palette purchase. Looking to see if you already kind of have a new palette will slow your purchasing, at least a little bit.
Making changes isn’t easy, and there are so many things to take into consideration. While one person can’t change everything, and trying to remember all of the ways our world is struggling is beyond overwhelming, every little bit helps. I read a meme the other day that said something along the lines of “if you refuse to use single use straws, but still use plastic toothbrushes, thank you.” It went on to list a couple other examples, but the message is that making one positive change is still a positive change.
If you have more tips on things we can do to benefit our world while still wearing makeup, leave them below! I’d love to learn more ways to help, and being educated is the first step.
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