Fashion, not to be confused with style, has always been about keeping your eye on the latest trend. Naturally, no pun intended, being fashionable in the near future consists of being environmentally friendly. Now that eco-fashionable clothes, whether they're from Oqoqo by Lululemon or Go Green Go by Philip Lim and Anya Hindmarch "I'm not a plastic bag" bag, are popular, the next obvious step is to start using natural beauty products.
For the sceptics who still believe that natural beauty products are ineffective, it's easy to start moving towards a more environmentally friendly beauty routine simply by looking for brands that use smart packaging and eliminating waste. Cult skincare company Kiehl's uses soy-based inks for its labels and recyclable containers. Customers are also encouraged to return their empty bottles to stores for recycling. Similarly, Toronto-based MAC Cosmetics' "Back to MAC" program encourages consumers to return six MAC containers to any location in exchange for a free lipstick.
Meanwhile, another Canadian cosmetics company, Cargo, has taken green packaging a step further. The company recently received the Environmental Recognition Award from the Packaging Association of Canada for developing a biodegradable, greenhouse-gas neutral lipstick case made entirely of corn. Additionally, the lipstick comes packaged in a paperboard box which can be directly planted in soil as it is embedded with wildflower seeds.
Those who are willing to make a bigger commitment to natural beauty products can look for products made with organic and natural ingredients. With so many beauty products claiming to be green, it's difficult to navigate your drug store aisles and make up counters. Shoppers should note that while natural beauty products are made from natural ingredients, this does not ensure the product is environmentally friendly. In contrast, organic products must contain ingredients produced, manufactured and handled according to the United States Department of Agriculture National Organic Program's guidelines. According to the NOP website, "all natural (non-synthetic) substances are allowed in organic production and all synthetic substances are prohibited."
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