Your wedding day is the perfect time to bring together many of the things that you love. From your friends and family, to food and decor that makes your heart sing, your day should be a celebration of everything about you and your partner as a couple. However, for eco-conscious soon-to-weds, there’s an extra layer of consideration that goes into any event.
If you can relate, you’re probably already looking at sustainable decorations, seasonal flowers, and removing plastic from your big day. But have you thought about how your makeup might have an impact?
In this post, we explore how you can keep your wedding look both elegant and eco-friendly.
Use multipurpose products
Like many sustainable solutions, the key to success is often in simplicity. We’re all used to having multiple products in our makeup bags – different types of mascara or eyeliner, for example, as well as several shades of blush and lip colours. But unless you really love one product, most of us are guilty of letting them go old and dry, and eventually throwing them out half-used.
By looking for products that are multipurpose, you can reduce waste and cost. Don’t immediately bin the contents of your makeup bag – instead, in the lead-up to your wedding, before buying a new item, make sure to think about whether you can buy something else that will do the job of several of your favourite beauty products. For example, an eyebrow pencil that can also function as an eyeliner pencil, or a lip stain or crayon that works as a rosy blush.
Avoid microplastics
Shockingly, 9 out of 10 beauty products contain microplastics – these are often added as emulsifiers or to fill out the product. Whilst microbeads (a type of microplastic) are banned in ‘wash off’ products in the UK, they’re still present in other cosmetics such as lipsticks. They can be harmful to both human and aquatic life, which is quite astonishing when you consider they’re used in products that go on your skin.
Avoiding these products in your own makeup bag is a fantastic way to keep your routine eco-friendly. The ‘Beat the Microbead’ campaign in the UK offers a free app which allows you to scan your products to check for microbeads, if you’re not sure what to look for.
Avoid disposable cleansing pads and wipes
No one gets their makeup right the first time – we all have to make little adjustments to get our perfect look, especially for an important occasion such as a wedding. However, reaching for single-use cleansing wipes and pads isn’t the solution, as they just go in the bin. Instead, make sure to pack plenty of washable cleaning pads and wipes, so that you can remove any excess makeup or correct mistakes without harming the planet. Simply take them home after your big day and pop them in the washing machine – or, if you’re going straight off on your honeymoon, ask a bridesmaid to take them for you.
Advice for working with a makeup artist
Many brides will choose to hire a makeup artist for their wedding day. If that’s true for you, you might be wondering how you can ensure your wedding makeup is sustainable when you don’t have control over your chosen MUA’s products.
By doing some research ahead of time and asking about eco-friendly options at the enquiry stage, you’ll be sure to find a professional who can meet your needs. Alternatively, some makeup artists are happy to use your own products, or to give you a list of ones to buy for the look you’re after.
A look you love
It’s important that you feel comfortable about the products that you use on your wedding day. You want to feel at your most beautiful, without any worry about how your celebrations are impacting the planet. Make sure to think about your beauty routine ahead of time so that you can find products that you truly love.
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