While we continue to take action against the world’s current climate emergency, there’s no better time to plan for how we can protect our planet from its imminent crisis.
Alas, this year’s Earth Day celebrations are as important as ever with a plethora of fashion and beauty brands doing their bit to secure Earth’s future.
Thanks to the event, it forces a variety of brands and consumers themselves to re-evaluate their relationship with the environment and how their actions greatly impact the world’s efforts to make a change.
After all, true sustainability should be practised from conception to creation and long after.
Now, more than ever, Australian shoppers are looking to improve their eco-footprint. So, to celebrate this year’s landmark day, fashion and beauty brands are doing their part to create a deeper conversation about the role that fashion plays in preserving the planet.
From completely waste-free hair products to everlasting fashion pieces, here are the best beauty and fashion brands doing their bit to help save the planet this Earth Day.
Beauty
Emma Lewisham
Emma Lewisham just launched refillable pouches for their Supernatural Vitamin A+ Face Oil, Illuminating Oil Cleanser and Illuminating Exfoliant. Meaning that if you have owned and finished either of those products, you can now refill your empty bottles to keep them in circulation. That way, you’re still getting your fix of Emma Lewisham’s skin-loving products and helping the planet at the same time.
If that wasn’t enough, thanks to the Emma Lewisham’s recycling initiative, for every four items shipped to TerraCycle through the Beauty Circle, senders receive a $15 voucher which is redeemable for any product on their website.
In fact Emma Lewisham herself has her own vision for the beauty industry, where all products are offered as part of a refillable model. Because after all, when you purchase a refillable product over a new bottle there is a quantifiable impact: 70% less CO2 emissions, 60% less energy and 45% less water.
Supernatural Triple Vitamin A+ Face Oil, $127.37 at Emma Lewisham.
Cloud Nine
Caring for more than just hair, Cloud Nine are committed to significantly reducing their environmental impact and carbon footprint through various initiatives including their existing world-first and only recycling scheme, eco-packaging, a tree planting partnership with Ecologi and low carbon shipping methods.
The Wide Iron, $340 at Cloud Nine.
Aveda
A natural haircare brand, Aveda is known for its use of natural ingredients and commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing and packaging. And this Earth day is no different, thanks to their Shampure Nuturing Bar.
The new, limited-edition Shampure Nurturing Shampoo Bar is silicone-free, sulphate cleanser free, cruelty-free and vegan, offering gentle care for hair and the planet. In keeping with Aveda’s commitment to sustainable packaging, the Shampure™ Nurturing Shampoo Bar features zero plastic packaging. The carton is 100% post-consumer recycled FSC certified fibre, and by purchasing this shampoo bar you could help us save 2 tons of plastic which is equivalent to 180K water bottles. And yes, it’s silicone free, sulfate cleanser free, cruelty free and vegan.
Shampure Nuturing Shampoo Bar, $32 at Aveda.
Burt’s Bees
Aside from their ode to keeping bee species from going extinct, Burt’s Bees are now powered by renewable electricity, in large part because of a 12-year, 70-megawatt virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) between their parent company and Enel Green Power, helping to put solar on the grid. Burt’s Bees has also made climate action commitments and play an active role in industry networks to advance a climate-focused future. They have also launched the Change for Nature pledge to encourage people to change one small habit in their routines to help preserve nature’s future—and our place in it.
Additionally, 100% of their packaging is recyclable and in the past year, they’ve planted 15 billion wildflower seeds to support pollinator and American farmers. And 45% of their waxes and butters of oils are directly traced to origin and verified with on-site visits.
Bees Wax Lip Balm Tube by Burt’s Bees, $6.95 at David Jones.
Edible Beauty
Each year, 15 billion trees are cut down and 11 billion of these trees are never replaced! In an unbe-leafable effort to raise awareness for Earth Day (April 22) and give back to the environment, holistic beauty brand, Edible Beauty Australia, is planting a tree for every order made in April via the One Tree Org. From packaging, ingredients, to an all-new initiative this beauty brand is doing its bit for the planet.
& Sleeping Beauty Purifying Mousse Sleep Mask, $60 at Edible Beauty.
Hutwoods
Hutwoods’ luxury wood wick candle range comes with a layer of seeded herb paper to extend the life of the vessel. Once the candle has finished, simply plant the paper and re-use the vessel to grow your very own herb garden. To sweeten the deal, the paper is available in 4 different herbs; Basil, Oregano, Parsley and Thyme.
Wild Jasmine and Sandalwood Candle, $59.95 at Hutwoods.
Wrinkles Schminkles
Brands with an eco-conscience are always in style, which is why with Earth Day fast approaching, Wrinkles Schminkles’ range of InfuseFAST sheet masks—including the brand new eye Smoothing and Depuffing Mask—are a guilt-free beauty indulgence and anti-ageing solution. All three are made of advanced biocellulose technology that are 100% biodegradable and fully decompose in 8 weeks.
Eye Smoothing and Depuffing Mask, $10 at Wrinkles Schminkles.
Bar None
We’ve all been there before—your last hair tie is secured to your wrist until a friend asks to borrow it, and you can’t think of a good reason to deny them. And so it disappears, never to be seen again. But naturally, the hair tie doesn’t just stop existing, it has to end up somewhere. And most of the time, it ends up being landfill.
Enter: Bar None. Their biodegradable hair ties and scrunchies are the latest must-have for eco-friendly accessories. The biodegradable hair ties and scrunchies are made of cotton and natural rubber, making them fully biodegradable and compostable. Thankfully, the brand also offers a range of other sustainable beauty products, from shampoo and conditioner bars to their zero waste bottles.
Bar None Biodegradable Hair Ties, $6.46 at Bar None.
Fashion
Lululemon
Launching on May 11, Lululemon’s limited edition Earth Dye Collection has reimagined traditional dying techniques to be easier on the planet. These lower-impact dyes are upcycled from the plant waste of oranges, beets, and saw palmetto trees sourced from the agricultural and herbal industries, meaning they use less water, carbon and synthetic chemicals compared to synthetic dyes.
Nulu Fold Tight Crop Tank, $69 at Lululemon.
Boden
Boden prides itself on creating their garments in safe working environments by workers who have clearly communicated rights. Which means that they’re always working behind the scenes to ensure that the good stuff you’ll see in a print or collar detail is matched by a beautiful backstory. Of course, Boden wants their customers to wear their products for a long time, so they’re designs live on in your wardrobe and stay out of landfill. Boden also prides itself on its commitment to creating a healthy working environment for everyone involved in their making.
Dalton Linen Cardigan, $ 160 at Boden Clothing.
Arms Of Eve
This Earth Day, Arms Of Eve have committed to doing their bit, donating $1 from every sale to environmentally focused causes for the month of April. The first being Food Bank, which assists with essential supplies to bushfire affected communities across the country. The second is Seabin Smart Tech, devoted to cleaning our sea. Lastly Greening Australia, to restore native trees across Australia.
Sadie Gold and Pearl necklace, $89 at Arms Of Eve.
Isabel Manns
Isabel Manns is committed to building a forward-thinking and 100% sustainable fashion label. A brand that is invested in marrying innovation and creativity with sustainability, Isabel Manns prides itself in offering three key combined concepts: Reversibility, Sustainability and British Made.
Sunset Meadow Padded Headband, $53.73 at Isabel Manns.
Bagatiba
Adored by celebrities alike, Bagatiba creates affordable, vintage feel jewellery pieces that are striking and sustainable. In addition, the brand launched their upcycled initiative last year. The ‘Triple R’ Project is an initiative created to prioritise a vision of the future within the jewellery industry. As sustainability becomes essential for progressive thinkers, the brand believes that our objective to preserve the earth will start with change.
Onia Bracelet, $200 at Bagatiba.
Miaou
The cult brand seen on just about every It-girl, from the likes of the Hadid and Jenner sisters, is doing major things in the sustainability space. Miaou’s fabrications are locally sourced (most garments manufactured in Los Angeles), the core fabrics (denim, mesh and crepe) are dead stock or made from biodegradable fibers. In particular, their mesh is made from 92% recycled nylon, and made from repurposed wasteful materials like old fishing nets. They also use digital printing to reduce energy and water consumption and their packaging is made from biodegradable eco-poly.
Sofia Dress, $108.05 at Miaou.
Harem London
Proud to be biodegradable, Harem London primarily use 100% natural fabrics such as silk and certified organic cotton and jersey fabrics.The brand also do not mass produce and all products are designed, sampled, and made in their Dalston, London studio by their in-house team. Waste is kept to a minimum and all scrap fabrics are stored in their studio and used in another product as a detail. In order to reduce waste and cut down on the fabric, Harem London keep small stock and produce as the demand occurs and are able to have full control over recycling and upcycling materials.
Towel Kaftan in Beige, $410.27 at Harem London.
Follow Suit
Sustainable swimsuits, New York City based swimwear brand Follow Suit ensures that all fabrics are made from ECONYL, which is 100% regenerated nylon fibre crafted pre and post-consumer waste such as abandoned fishing nets industrial plastic waste, and fabric scraps. The fabrics are woven in Lombardy, Italy by one of the world’s finest manufacturers of high performance luxury textiles.
At Follow Suit, everything is made locally in New York and all of the styles are printed digitally to reduce fabric waste and allow for small runs. What does this mean? Well, it uses less than 10 litres of water per meter, compared to 50 litres per meter of water required for screen printing.
The Annie Top in Ponza Print, $142 at Follow Suit.
marie claire Australia’s May 2021 issue is our yearly Earth Issue. Pick up a copy for more sustainable beauty and fashion, on stands now!
