Celebrity make-up artist Dottie Monaghan shares her tips on how to embrace a cleaner and more conscious beauty routine. Connect with her at instagram.com/dottiemakeup.
WORDS: DOTTIE MONAGHAN. IMAGES: VARIOUS BRANDS AND SHUTTERSTOCK.
Whether you’re thinking of animal welfare, trying to do your bit for the planet, or making a health choice, looking your best while consciously choosing “eco” products needs a little thought and planning.
You don’t have to sacrifice on luxury or spend more when opting for a cleaner and kinder beauty routine. Simple swaps can make a big difference. Use up what you have before replacing it or, if you feel that a product no longer suits you, give it to a friend instead of throwing it away. Look for products with packaging that is biodegradable, compostable, or made from recycled material. Zerowaste products such as soap bars can be good instead of liquid-in-a-bottle versions, as they result in less landfill.
Hot cloth cleansers with high-tech fibres requiring only hot water to loosen and lift make-up are a great alternative to using face wipes or cotton pads. Double cleansing will also reap maximum skin results.
Take advantage of refill options or recycling initiatives offered by lots of companies, including Beauty Kitchen (beautykitchen.co.uk) for skincare, and Known (knownnutrition.co.uk) for collagen. Some will even reward you for doing so and have schemes where they donate a portion of their profits to conservation societies.
Many make-up companies give you the option to make your own bespoke palette. And you
could try a refillable lipstick case – this can work out cheaper as you’re not re-buying
the holder each time. You can also get lots of refillable deodorants – Wild (wearewild.com)
and SANS-
(sanslondon.com) are two such examples where you buy the holder and get refill inserts.
Looking for vegan, cruelty free, cleaner and kinder products may take a little more effort, but it will make a big difference to the effect our beauty habits have on the planet, without compromising the joy, confidence and fun our cosmetics bring to us.
Magnitone Wipe Out Cloth, £15 for two, magnitone.co.uk; Jojo Glow Reusable Cleansing Pads, £18 for pack of three, jojoglow.co.uk.
Remove the toughest long-wear or oil-based makeup with just warm water and the genius Wipe Out Cloth. If you still love a cleanser, opt for the Jojo reusable cleansing pads.
Green People One Balm, £21, greenpeople.co.uk
Great for nails, skin, lips, heels,
