The Green Kit

Can ethically sourced makeup get the job done?

As I began updating my makeup kit I couldn’t help but wonder… could I replace EVERYTHING with ethically sourced, organic, vegan products but still retain the same results?

“Could I achieve the ‘good’ without the ‘bad’? ”

The early days of green driven products left us feeling good but not looking so great. As an industry makeup artist, I need to meet a brief, whether it's a super glossy skin, a matte finish, an intense eyeshadow pigment or a stained lip, not to mention the all-important staying power. The products I tried just didn’t measure up, so I stuck with my old faithfuls.

Then came social media with its Instagram celebrity makeup artists, generating an overwhelming obsession with makeup. The beauty industry exploded! With this came the overabundance of Beauty products. The industry was no longer monopolized by a few beauty giants, which gave the conscious consumer a powerful voice. This power has become a driving force in the beauty industry towards innovation in ethical cosmetics.

“There are both plant and animal derived products that have the same name”

And so begins the laborious task of checking product ingredients, and just to add to the confusion it’s a bit off a minefield. Here’s the snag… There are both plant and animal-derived products that have the same name, for example, ‘Squalane’ is Shark liver oil but there are also plant-derived sources. SERIOUSLY!

As I delved further into this subject more questions surfaced… many brands are quick to promote themselves as ethical, but do we need to look at this in broader terms? The word “ethical” should mean ethically sourced and cruelty-free, but does it always mean organic? Do we know if the company has a disastrous environmental record?

Now I stare down the barrel of YET another question… is there a company out there offering zero-waste packaging?

A growing number in the beauty industry is seeking alternatives to deal with the scary amount of waste, not only with the packaging but also the packaging of the packaging. These companies are introducing the use of recycled aluminum, 100% recyclable stainless steel & glass, bamboo packaging, magnetic refills for gorgeous compacts and paper packaging, the list goes on.

So, answering my own question. The journey to a ‘totally’ ethical, vegan, organic, environmentally conscious makeup kit, that delivers ‘all’ the incredible results I need, may still be some time off. I am however impressed by the passion of those within the beauty industry. Those who have taken a stance have made such a difference in driving others to follow their lead.

Leisa Welch