Ethical Beauty: Green Goddesses

We’re more aware than ever of what we’re doing to the planet and we want the beauty brands and treatments we choose to reflect that. ‘Styling for life’ is an important move for the hair and beauty industry and a growing trend for this next decade is vegan, joining organic and ethically sourced products.

Head turning

Hair salons are seeking out high performing treatments that are also gentle on the planet. Gina Conway works with a sustainability consultant to help her achieve her goal of making her salons carbon neutral. She has, for example, moved to a 100% green supplier and reduces colour waste using technology that measures to the gram, so less pollution. She uses Aveda products, which are not tested on animals, manufactured with 100% certified wind power, and is the first beauty company with 100% post-consumer recycled packaging.

At Hale Hair, they recommend Pureology, which pioneered the “no nasties” movement with their sulphate-free shampoos and 100% vegan formulas. They believe that taking the best nature has to offer is the route to colourful hair and a bright future for the planet: even the bottles are made of 50% post-consumer recycled materials and are 100% recyclable, and the labels are printed with soy ink.

Terry Wilson and the team at Hair Organics have an exciting new treatment with its SOS super organic smoothing solution, which will hydrate the hair with a reflective shine and reduce frizz: conditioning that not only smooths the cuticle but layers a new false cuticle over the hair shaft. The result is an industry game changer. This exciting two stage treatment is organic, smoke free and leaves the hair in superb condition – lasting approx. four months.

Makeup bags make a stand

Many big brands have not tested on animals for years and aim for natural ingredients, but several are going much further in terms of their eco-offering. Vegan products are becoming popular but to be 100% vegan is tricky, as beeswax is still a key ingredient in cosmetics and skincare. Even so, there are great developments afoot.

Hourglass, for example, has a big vegan range and is aiming to be 100% vegan in 2020. Hourglass is
available in Elys Wimbledon – which is a great place to find other eco products such as the gorgeous Clarins Plant Gold Nutrirevitalizing oil-emulsion, which is 100% plant based. The Londora Nail Boutique is also vegan and environmentally friendly.

Up in Wimbledon Village, nail boutique Take Time London, also has an eco ethos, using the Bio Sculpture 100% vegan gels.

Over in Richmond, new store Seekology, features a range of local, ethical brands including Cut Le Crap – it does what it says with all natural ingredients and containers made from glass and sugar cane waste.

Ethical beauty can even extend to your sunscreen. Research suggests that sunscreen could be damaging our coral reefs so some brands are removing the chemicals responsible – try REN. Clearly, there is now a huge amount of choice, and it seems we don’t have to compromise – we can still have highly effective  products and treatments without them costing the earth.

Denise McAdam is a celebrity hairstylist, with a client list including Kylie Minogue and Naomi Campbell