Hello beauties,
To start off today, I have a few words for you.
Clarifying. Detoxifying. Rejuvenating. Sound familiar? These beauty buzzwords
and skincare clichés adorn the labels of all our favourite cosmetics. But it
would appear that a new phrase has been added to the list, a phrase we never
thought we'd see on a tube of moisturiser. And that is: life-changing.
Yes, you heard me. Although the cosmetic industry
continues to bombard us with unrealistic aspiration, more and more brands these
days are beginning to adopt the concept that beauty is not skin-deep. Using
their influences as catalysts for social change, these companies are attempting
to challenge outdated ideals, embrace positive body image and raise awareness
of world issues.
Admittedly, I am a little bit of a cosmetic junkie. I
love trying out new products and turning my skincare regime into a mini pamper
session as I find it really therapeutic and it sets me up for the day.
Moreover, my sister works at L'Oreal, meaning she often returns home, baring a
whole farrago of free samples, which is a luxury I could get used to. Between
us, we've now built a miscellaneous collection of cleansers, toners, serums and
face masks, large enough to start up our own shop or spa.
In spite of the freebies, I still find that skincare
is expensive. Therefore when choosing a brand, I never just buy into the
product; I also take into account the ethics of the company to ensure my
purchase is worth every single penny. So, for all you beauty lovers, I thought
I would compile a list of all the most game-changing brands to look out for.
1. Philosophy
Founded in 1996, this authentic beauty brand is
renowned for its stunning range of bath and skincare products along with their
refreshing fragrances. Enriched with a blend of powerful ingredients, their
formulas strive to boost well-being and invigorate the soul.
Back in 2014, Philosophy launched Hope & Grace,
an initiative dedicated to raising $10 million for combatting mental illness.
With every purchase, know that 1% of profits will be donated to mental health
charities, particularly those that support women facing conditions such as
Postpartum depression and PTSD brought on by domestic abuse.
2. Neal’s Yard Remedies
In an industry that is rife with synthetic products,
the transparency and holistic approach of Neal’s Yard is like a breath of fresh
air. What began three decades ago, as a small, apothecary-style shop in Covent
Garden, has since flourished into a prestigious franchise of organic skincare,
favoured by the likes of Kate Moss and Jennifer Aniston.
In recent years, the brand have also received
international acclaim for their efforts to conserve the planet. Currently, they
are in the midst of their latest #SaveTheBees campaign which aims to support 50
million bees by 2020. Although many of us, including myself, may be absolutely
terrified of these creatures, it cannot be denied that life would be pretty,
well, non-existent without them. So, to help protect these buzzy little dudes,
why not indulge in the Neal’s Yard's Bee Lovely range of lip balms, hand creams
and body butters? Packed full of nourishing ingredients such as honey, beeswax
and uplifting orange essential oils, this nature-inspired range is a total
feast for the skin. Plus, for every product you buy, 3% of profits go towards
bee-friendly causes.
Bee Lovely Range: Starting from £6.50
3. GlowBiotics
If your skin's looking a little tired and in need of
some TLC (#relatable), then GlowBiotics is your fairy godmother to glowing
skin.
Helping women to radiate confidence from the inside
out, this clinically proven brand harnesses the power of nature and probiotic
technology to create high-performing products. Additionally, you can feel even
more fabulous at checkout because for any product or kit you buy from their
extensive line, GlowBiotics will give 1% of profits to mental health charities
such as Bring Change To Mind.
4. Soap Co
One of these beautifully hand-crafted soaps, body lotions
or bath oils would make the perfect prezzie for a loved-one.
The award-winning soap brand, based in East London,
advocates 'ethical luxury' at its best. Free from parabens, their products only
contain the finest ingredients, natural botanicals, skin-loving vitamins and
essential oils, helping to supercharge the skin's radiance. And oh, did I
mention? They smell pretty divine too.
Identifying a gap in the market, the company set out
to produce 'soaps that are good and do good'. Whilst being environmentally
conscious, Soap Co aims to promote inclusion and diversity in the workplace by
employing people of all differences and walks of life.
5. Mac
Ah MAC, quite possibly the holy grail of cosmetics.
While we may hold them solely accountable for feeding
our make-up splurges, there is at least one thing we have to thank this
Canadian cult-favourite for. And that is the signature MAC lipstick: a sacred
gift from God and an invention which deserves full history book esteem. With
their intensely pigmented punch and long-lasting finish that not even a vat of
hot chocolate, coffee and cocktails could budge, it's no surprise that the MAC
lippy has become a cherished staple in every make-up lover's bag. And when it
comes to colour, boy does MAC love to spoil us. Offering hundreds of hues from
subtle nudes, to frosted pinks, to vampy purples and ruby reds, you're
guaranteed to find the perfect lipstick that was inexplicably made for you.
But the next time you find yourself wondering which
shade to add to your resplendent assortment, why not consider Viva Glam?
Launched back in 1994, this classic, red lipstick was the inspiration and
driving force behind The Viva Glam line. In those 24 years, MAC have released
five more gorgeous shades that have been worn by the likes of Ariana Grande,
Nikki Minaj and Sia. What's particularly remarkable about Viva Glam is the fact
that 100% of RRP minus VAT, will be donated to the Aids Fund which supports
men, women and children living with HIV/Aids. To date, Mac has raised a
jaw-dropping $470 million for the Aids Fund. Therefore, you can be satisfied
that your cash has been well spent.
M.A.C Viva Glam: £16.50
6. Clove + Hallow
Both cruelty-free and PETA-certified, this indie
make-up brand is definitely one to have on your radar. When I first stumbled
across Clove + Hallow, I was drawn straight away to their nourishing lip
products. As well as being pigmented, the lipsticks are formulated with
moisturising jojoba oil and shea butter, helping to boost the lips' hydration.
With Autumn approaching, a time when the lips are generally dryer, I think one
of these lipsticks would be the perfect asset to your regime. Better still, any
time you buy a lip crème in the shade of Psych, 15% of sales will be donated to
the Georgia chapter of Mental Health America, where funds will be used for
advocacy, outreach programmes and education.
Psych Lip Créme: £34
7. Lush
It's fair to say that Lush has revolutionised the way
we apply skincare, elevating it from a standard daily ritual to a full-fledged,
multi-sensory experience. If you're feeling down in the dumps, you can always
rely on one of Lush's kaleidoscopic and glittering creations to inject a
healthy dose of sparkle back into your life (and your bath water). Meanwhile,
the exquisite aromas that fill our bathrooms are enough to lift our moods and
send negativity packing.
Ever since I received my first bath bomb, my love of
Lush has spiralled into something of an addiction. It doesn't matter how hard I
try to resist it. Every time I pop into a Lush, I find myself gravitated to a
stack of bubble bars and then leaving half an hour later, gleefully clutching a
brown paper bag stuffed full of goodies. With Lush though, the customer service
is always outstanding. Is it just me or are all the staff at Lush the nicest
people ever. Plus you can always be certain that your money is going towards
some pretty amazing causes, which helps to soften the blow as you take in your
bank balance.
To this day, Lush continues to be one of the leading
giants of fresh, hand-made cosmetics. Aside from being innovative, their
products are notably vegetarian and cruelty-free, meaning they never test on
animals. The brand also gets our stamp of approval for their remarkable
contributions to be sustainable through the minimal packaging approach.
Something you might not know about Lush however is
their work with charities behind the scenes. Over the years, Lush has raised
millions of pounds to fund initiatives, charities and organisations fighting
for environmental protection, animal welfare and human rights. In 2007, Lush
launched Charity Pot, a rich hand and body lotion that does a whole lot of
good. Delicately scented, this sumptuous cream is crafted with fair trade ingredients
such as Columbian, cocoa butter, olive oil and shea butter. With every purchase
of Charity Pot, 100% of proceeds, minus VAT, will be donated to support grassroots
organisations all around the world.
Another of Lush's charity products is Fun, the
nostalgic, mouldable soap that resembles play dough. 10p from a bar of Fun or
17.5p from a bar of Rainbow Fun will help to fund recreational activities for
children who were affected by the 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan.
Pretty amazing, huh?
Oh and to top it all off, Lush just launched their
debut clothing line called Lush Swag. This iridescent collection of quirky tees
and totes aims to challenge the fashion industry as we know it and raise
awareness of clothing with a conscience.
Charity Pot: Small tub £1, medium tub £6.25, large
tub £13.95
Fun: £5 for Fun or £6.25 for Rainbow Fun
So there you have it: the top 7 beauty brands that
are changing lives. I think a serious shopping spree is in order, don't you? Go
treat yourselves because you've earnt it xxx
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