Do you want a more sustainable beauty routine, but don’t know where to start? With the thousands of beauty gurus and millions of beauty products we have today, taking the first step can be daunting–but it doesn’t have to be!
Follow these 3 quick tips for transitioning to zero-waste beauty products ASAP.
1. Plan Your Transition
Planning how you will transition to zero-waste beauty products is crucial. When you plan, you are able to identify the following:
Your reason
Making the transition can be overwhelming, especially if this is your first time. It requires dedication and discipline to execute and maintain. This is why many people never bother to transition in the first place.
But once you figure out your “why”, it will serve as a compass that makes the entire journey easier. Remember, your why-power does more than your willpower. When the going gets tough, your reason will keep you moving forward.
Once you have discovered your “why”, your transition should be a lot easier.
Your strategy
Planning allows you to build a strategy. And your strategy will help you figure out where and how to start with your transition. Otherwise, you will set yourself up for failure.
So, figure out what you want to do first, and focus your energy on it. Once you succeed, move on to the next thing you want to do. Keep doing this until you have fully transitioned to zero-waste beauty products.
Here are some ideas you should consider:
- Use compostable pads for makeup instead of regular cotton balls
- Use natural moisturizers instead of your usual lotion
- Use eco-friendly soap instead of your regular bar soap
- Use reusable tissue instead of disposable ones
- Use organic facial masks instead of single-use masks
- Use natural oils instead of your usual makeup remover
Your goal
The key to any success is by having a goal. You can envision your end goal and then use it to motivate you towards your journey. It can also help you track every progress along the way and make the necessary adjustments needed for success.
As the adage goes, “Vision is everything.”
Don’t forget to plan your rewards for every milestone you achieve. And most importantly, don’t get too caught up in planning! Sometimes, planning too much will prevent you from achieving your goals.
2. Go Easy On Yourself
When transitioning to zero-waste beauty products, keep in mind that your journey will not be the same as other people’s journey. In other words, it’s different for all of us!
Contrary to popular belief, making the transition is not a one-size-fits-all undertaking. What works for your lifestyle may not work for others. And understanding this is crucial, because you might end up comparing your progress with other people’s progress.
So, whenever you find yourself heading for that ugly road, think about these things:
- You are special. You are your own person. You have a unique lifestyle, goal, preference, pace, progress, ability, and more. So, it’s simply impossible to compare yourself to others!
- You are grateful. Comparing is a sign of ingratitude. When you compare, you fail to appreciate yourself and what you have in life. By practicing gratitude, you will focus less on others and more on yourself.
3. Maximize What You Have
When transitioning to zero-waste beauty products, we tend to throw away what we currently have. It’s tempting to do so, especially once you find out that your beauty essentials are cruel to your skin and the environment. But don’t throw them away!
The global cosmetics industry is responsible for polluting the planet with 120 billion packaging units every year. Most of the materials used are non-recyclable and take hundreds of years to degrade. If you throw away your current products, you will only worsen the situation.
If you want to transition to zero-waste beauty products, you must first use up everything you have. Then, clean the containers and use them for another purpose. For instance, wide jars can be used as cotton ball containers, foundation cushions can be turned into SPF cushions, and spray bottles can serve as plant holders.
Another great way to get rid of your products is by donating them to charity. There are organizations that would gladly accept slightly used makeup products. And some organizations would even accept unused products that are about to expire. Often, their recipients are women who currently suffer from illnesses.
By maximizing what you have, you are actually spending less. And when you give them away, you are helping others do the same. Then, you can start purchasing your desired zero-waste beauty products.
And that’s it!
Practicing a sustainable skincare routine is not as complicated as it seems. All you need to do is be mindful of how your current actions affect the environment. From there, it’s easier to decide which among your beauty habits you must change.