Do you sometimes look at your makeup bag and wonder how it could possibly be so full? Have you ever purchased a new skincare product only to be disappointed and let it be forgotten at the bottom of a drawer? Do you want to make a positive change to your beauty routine that will improve your skin and help protect the environment? Then it’s time to overhaul your makeup and beauty bag!

Now Is The Perfect Time to Give Your Makeup Bag a Conscious Spring Clean.

Good news, Spring is finally here! It feels like a new beginning, and there’s more energy around, which makes it the perfect time to clean, tidy and declutter. But Spring Cleaning isn’t just about scrubbing floors, washing curtains and throwing out old magazines. It can apply to any area of your home, including your makeup and beauty bag, and it can be a mindful and conscious thing to do.

The growing trend for minimalism is encouraging people to reassess their possessions and to declutter in order to make more space for items that “spark joy”. Beyond simple tidying, the KonMari method at the forefront of the minimalist movement has the power to change lives and to help you focus on what really matters.

The general public is also becoming aware of the fact that we have reached a waste crisis and that our consumerist lifestyle is neither fair nor sustainable. With big brands eager to seduce consumers with cheap new products in order to stay ahead of the game, it’s no surprise that the world now produces more than a billion tons of garbage a year. Thankfully, popular programs like Blue Planet II have shone a light on the implications for life on Earth, encouraging people to take action and to think more carefully about their own way of consuming and its impact on the planet.

While it’s easy to accumulate beauty and skincare products, conscious consumers must remember to regularly reassess their possessions and to make informed purchases that will benefit the planet and its people. Ready to declutter your makeup bag and adopt a more eco-friendly beauty routine? Follow our tips below to get started.

Start by Getting all Your Products Out.

Did you realise you owned that many products? Do you really use all of them? What about that glittery eyeshadow you bought ahead of a party and have never worn since? Or that “miracle” skincare product you stopped using after a couple of weeks? Go through all your products and get rid of the ones that you don’t use, don’t like or are out of date. While you’re at it, don’t forget to give your makeup brushes a clean to avoid clogged pores and bacterial infection.

Check the Ingredients List.

Next, find out more about the products you use by having a look at the ingredients list. Does it make any sense to you, or is it all a bit too confusing? Naturally-derived, organic ingredients are so much better for your skin (and the Earth!) than synthetics, so if a product’s ingredients list is as long as the Magna Carta, it probably isn’t doing you that much good. Traditional beauty brands have long been using a myriad of synthetic ingredients to make their products feel great on your skin, but the long-term effects can be anything but positive. Make a list of the products that you need to find eco-friendly alternatives for.

Buy Less and Buy Better.

This is the golden rule when it comes to decluttering and shopping with a conscience. Impulse-buying is generally a bad idea, and there are some questions you should be asking yourself when shopping for beauty products. In our throw-away consumerist culture, it’s important to take a different approach and purchase products that you plan to keep and use for as long as possible. And if you want to make a positive change to the beauty industry, give your hard-earned cash to independent companies trying to change the game rather than to big brands eager to keep the status quo.

Look out for brands that are transparent in the way they communicate and whose processes are aligned with their values and yours. Always check whether a product has been tested on animals, uses naturally-derived organic ingredients or carries a certification, and steer clear of those containing parabens, oxybenzone (which contributes to the bleaching of coral reefs) or palm oil (a massive factor of deforestation and loss of biodiversity). And remember that even a small decision can positively impact the world, so choose wisely.

Opt for Multi-tasking Products.

Finally, save space and money with multi-tasking products that will help reduce your level of consumption and waste. All-rounders are a great option when travelling as you won’t need to pack a whole bunch of different items. Here are some of our favourite multi-purpose products:

BYBI Beauty’s Babe Balm: Packaged in a compostable tube made from sugarcane, this brilliant all-rounder moisturises everything and can be used on your lips, face, hands or any other part of your body. 

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Ideal for early Spring, Eco by Sonya’s Winter Skin is a clever body moisturiser that doubles as a gradual tanner and is made using only organic and natural ingredients.

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Ere Perez Beetroot Cheek & Lip Tint is a natural and vegan coloured tint that provides a radiant pop of colour to the cheeks and lips.

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Formulated with soothing Jojoba oil, Ere Perez Eye Pencils come in eight different shades and can be used as an eyeshadow.

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Soothing, protecting and lightweight, Hynt Beauty’s Sun Prep is an all-in-one moisturiser, sunscreen and primer.

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Nude & Noir Multi-Use Cream Palette comes in four different colour combinations that can be used on the lips, cheeks and eyes. It’s also 100% vegan and cruelty-free!

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