Many people are feeling deeply concerned about the environment and climate change. I know I am, and I want to make decisions about my business with consideration to the planet. I don't feel we, as consumers, can carry on the way we have been, and change is necessary for the future.
With that in mind, I want to write about the small changes I am making to my business as a hair and makeup artist and also the things I am doing personally at home which I am sharing with you.
I am very lucky to live a 10 minute walk away from a zero waste post office in Bristol which sells lots of refillable 'Faith in Nature' hair and body products. You can take any used container there to stock up on shampoo, conditioner and shower gel etc. They also sell bamboo toothbrushes and cotton buds. I'm making a move to washable face cloths and makeup pads, also from the post office.
I have noticed that many makeup removing face wipes, such as the 'Simple' brand, are now biodegradable which is great, but it’s a shame the packaging is still plastic and not recyclable.
Despite my passion for makeup I really consider each and every purchase I make and am quite restrained when it comes to shopping for my makeup kit. There are so many lovely makeup and skincare products on the market, it’s easy to get seduced and end up buying more than you need or items which are not suitable for you, which is both wasteful and disappointing. I would advise testing products thoroughly before making a purchase and also reading reviews to ensure it is right for you.
When looking for makeup, try to look for brands which offer refills. Many brands out there don't obviously promote this, but some do, so it’s worth asking at the makeup counter. 'Charlotte Tilbury', 'Lush', 'Guerlain' and 'Hourglass' all offer refills for their lipsticks, so hold onto the packaging when you need to stock up.
An increasing number of my clients are vegan and while not all the makeup I use can make this claim, I am mindful of any future purchases to ensure it is cruelty free and, if possible, vegan as well. Again, many high-end makeup brands are, but don't necessarily advertise this, so it’s a good idea to ask at the makeup counter or research on the internet.
I often think about how lucky we are to live in an affluent society where most people can afford to treat themselves to a new lipstick or eyeshadow once in a while, but I am also very aware that is not the case for everyone. Many of us probably have unwanted cosmetics at home which can be donated to charity. DropPoint.org is one such organisation which you can send your unwanted makeup to and they will donate it to charities across the UK.
Sometimes is easy to feel disheartened as the climate crisis is both overwhelming and scary, but I often remember a quote from Mother Theresa. When someone remarked that her work was ‘a just a drop in the ocean’, she replied 'but the ocean is made up of drops'. I always remember that, and it inspires me to carry on making the small but considered changes in my business as a hair and makeup artist.
'We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop'- Mother Theresa