Guest Contributor: Let's talk Sustainable Beauty
Guest Contributor
With over 20 years of experience, Erin Guenter is a makeup artist who’s knowledge of the industry is profound and sharing tricks and tips is something that she is known for. Beyond her love for makeup lies an obsession with skin which is the foundation of any makeup. She believes the prettiest face is one that doesn't look made up at all and that makeup should be used to enhance not cover or change.
Considering the current state of our planet, do you question the sustainability of your lifestyle? Do you want to make changes to positively impact the environment but are unsure of where to start? Does it feel overwhelming with all of the information being thrown at us on a daily basis? Making changes are not as difficult as you may think and even the smallest change can do better for the good of the planet. It has been said that we don’t have time to wait for perfect, it is more important to do something now than nothing at all. We, as consumers, hold the key to make change. From a Beauty standpoint we can start by considering our own personal consumption, opting for sustainable packaging, questioning the ingredients in our products and how they are sourced. We can also choose to purchase products from companies who are transparent, that take a stand on climate change and place sustainability front and centre.
Photography by 5ive15ifteen / Make up by Erin Guenter Beauty
CHANGING OUR Consumption Habits
“As consumers, we have so much power to change the world by just being careful in what we buy”
Thinking more about what you need vs what you want can reduce the impulse to make unnecessary purchases contributing to over consumption. According to Business Insider, the beauty industry is valued at $532 billion globally making it a leading contributor to the problem. We feel the weight and burden of clutter but the hope that a new product will make our lips fuller, our skin smoother and our eyes brighter is hard to resist.
Photography by Lavender & Fern / Make up by Erin Guenter Beauty
“Between 60-80 percent of the impacts on the planet come from household consumption. If we change our consumption habits, this would have a drastic effect on our environmental footprint.”
By simplifying our beauty routines, finding products that can serve multiple purposes, and implementing Conscious Consumption we reduce the demand for goods and the need to produce those goods therefore limiting the harmful effects on the climate from that production. Let’s no longer equate our personal happiness with purchasing material possessions and cut our environmental impact by also cutting back on purchases!
Just by committing to fewer products we can reduce our packaging waste which contributes to overflowing landfills and plastic ocean pollution. Zero Waste Week Data revealed in 2018 that more than 120 billion units of cosmetic packaging were produced globally, the majority of which were not recyclable. It is important that we address the container and it’s impact on the environment. Good materials to look for when making our cosmetic purchases are glass, aluminum, plastic resin derived from corn and PCR (post consumer recycled). Another thing to consider is whether the product is refillable. Some cosmetic brands offer customizable palettes which can be refilled when you run out, allowing for less wasted product and unnecessary packaging.
Photography by Taylor Rebecca Photography / Makeup by Erin Guenter Beauty
Responsibly Harvested IngredienTs
“It is important to note that more brands are making a transparent effort to protect our health and planet by investing in responsibly derived ingredients”
Although an ingredient may be natural we need to be more concerned with how it is being extracted and manufactured, to determine its actual impact on the environment. It is vital that the ingredients being used in our products are both sustainable and ethically sourced. Does ingredient harvesting cause destruction or use slave/child labor? Mica for example, which is commonly used in cosmetics, is primarily sourced in India where child labor is prevalent. Another hot topic is the sustainability of Palm Oil which is so heavily used and causes massive wildlife loss, among other things, to make room for palm plantations. If these ingredients can be sourced sustainably, and we are made aware, we can make better choices. Also knowing if ingredients are naturally sourced using Biodynamic Methods (without the use of chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides) is important not only to protect our health but also the earth and its ecosystems.
“An objective of Biodynamic Methods is “to produce cosmetics that consist of natural product, which are beneficial for the human skin and body and have as few negative environmental consequences as possible ”
If you have questions about how ingredients are sourced, ask! The demand for natural cosmetics is expected to expand greatly, increasing product availability and selection, making it more crucial to make the most thoughtful purchases.
Photography by Willow and Wolf / Make up by Erin Guenter Beauty
HIGHER standards for companies
A company has many choices on how it practices and represents itself to consumers. Another important question to ask when doing product research is whether or not a company gives back or supports environmental organizations. Look for B Corp Companies which use business as a force for good and must meet high standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. When purchasing products from B Corp Companies you are ensured safer products, Environmental Sustainability, Education, Charitable giving, and Employee Empowerment. You can also determine if a company is serious in their commitment to the environment by looking into whether or not they report annually on their environmental impact!
“The Earth is a complex system, but actions at every scale have their impacts in the total functioning of this huge, beautiful organism.”
Photography by Willow and Wolf / Make up by Erin Guenter Beauty
As a Makeup Artist I am here to help, not only with application and tips/tricks but with the power of education. I can show you ways to reduce your environmental impact with the products you use. One on one or in a group setting we can work together, using products that I use which reflect what has been discussed, to ease the transition and leave you feeling confident that you are making positive steps toward Sustainable Beauty.
If you are interested and excited about making change, learning more about sustainability initiatives that are being made within the Beauty Industry, please contact me at eringuenter@gmail.com or @eringuenterbeauty to book a consultation, lesson or workshop.