We’re calling it a trend, but in all honesty we really hope this one sticks around long-term. Lately we’ve seen a huge push towards sustainable shopping, and we are huge fans! It may seem daunting at first if it’s not a concept that you’re used to but we promise it will change the way you operate. 

 

Shopping sustainably can entail many different things: abandoning fast fashion and production, shopping locally, and using brands that are eco friendly and sustainable are just a few of the ways you can change your consumption habits. Each of these actions help reduce waste and have a positive impact on the environment in one way or another. Especially when it comes to the beauty industry, many companies are making a shift towards greener and more sustainable practices, which is awesome!

 

Let’s go back to basics for a minute: why is it so important to shop sustainably? The United States Environmental Protection Agency (or the EPA) puts it simply:

 

“Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.”

 

With this in mind, it’s clear that there are certain shopping habits and consumer behaviors that are better for the environment than others. For example, abandoning fast fashion and consumption lessens the amount of waste output, as well as the amount of toxic materials that are being used. Fast fashion is the second largest polluter of clean water globally (eek!!). Consider supporting small businesses instead! Etsy is a great place to do this, as well as looking for independently owned stores in your area.

 

Finding local businesses is a simple solution to starting your sustainable journey. Everything from groceries to fashion to homegoods can be found somewhere nearby! Visit Utah has a great resource to help you support local businesses. If you’re near our salon, there are tons of great shops nearby. Animalia is a shop that focuses on small, independent brands and handmade goods. They have a bulk refill dispensary where you can bring your own container and fill it up with different household products. They also have a food waste collection program! Vantage Vintage and Uptown Cheapskate are two awesome thrift store options that will help you fill your closet with any style you could dream of. The 9th and 9th district has a number of restaurants and shops that are nearly all locally owned and unique to Salt Lake City. 

 

We totally understand that shopping locally is sometimes easier said than done. However, there are ways to find products from larger-scale companies that are sustainable as well. One of our favorites is Dermalogica. We did a Spotlight article on them recently, but we’re bringing them up again because we love them that much. Dermalogica has made a pledge to go green and be sustainable – not only are their products cruelty-free, but they set a goal to be 90% recyclable or biodegradable by the end of 2020. All of the paper and cartons they use are FSC certified to be sustainable for forests. Additionally, Clean-Faced Cosmetics and Dirty Hippie are two of many amazing zero-waste cosmetic companies that have great quality products. A quick Google search is all it takes to find companies with amazing sustainability pledges. 

 

And what about the products we carry in our salon? We’ve got good news for you: many of the companies we carry have their own version of a pledge towards sustainability. The Soap Brows Kit we carry comes from WestBarn Co., a company that has pledged to remain cruelty free and is Leaping Bunny certified. Poppy and Pout’s lip care is cruelty-free, 100% natural, made in the USA, and uses eco-friendly packaging. Our Brooklyn Candle Studio candles are eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and vegan, and their lead-free wicks offer a clean burn. 

 

Like we mentioned earlier, sustainability shouldn’t be a short-term trend – it should be something you’re in for the long haul. While it can seem like a huge undertaking to shift to a sustainable lifestyle, the concepts we mentioned can act as baby steps for you on your path towards being green! Start with one thing at a time, one area of your life, and before you know it you’ll be making a big impact on the environment. Talk to your friends and family about it, and see if you can all hold each other accountable! Make it a team effort to support smaller, more eco-friendly businesses and to consciously protect the environment. It’s important for all of us!