How Beauty Hauls Drive Unsustainable Practices in the Beauty Industry
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
Beauty hauls, those enticing videos and blog posts showcasing an array of cosmetics and skincare products, have become a phenomenon in the digital age. They captivate our attention with their glimmering packaging, promises of flawless skin, and the thrill of indulging in the latest beauty trends. However, beneath the surface lies a dark reality: these beauty hauls often contribute to unsustainable practices in the beauty industry.
The problematic aspects of beauty hauls are daunting, and we have all been victims once or twice. Capitalism has made it impossible to survive without everything turning into profit, and the only way to combat that is to explore how overconsumption perpetuates a never-ending cycle of excessive production and waste generation.
In today's consumer-driven society, it has become far too easy to fall into a pattern of continuous purchasing, driven by the desire for novelty and the pursuit of perfection. The allure of new product releases, limited editions, and enticing discounts creates an insatiable appetite for more.
Beauty influencers play a significant role in shaping consumer behavior and preferences. By promoting excessive consumption and showcasing large beauty collections, they contribute to the perpetuation of unsustainable practices.
This never-ending cycle perpetuates a mindset where quantity trumps quality, leading to an excessive accumulation of beauty products that often go unused or expire before their full potential can be realized. Have you ever calculated how much money you are wasting by buying products you don’t have time to use?
The constant influx of new items creates an overwhelming sense of FOMO, which refers to the anxiety or fear of not being included or experiencing something desirable, pushing individuals to continuously chase after the next big thing. However, this relentless pursuit not only puts a strain on our personal finances but also takes a toll on our planet.
“By not taking a stand or actively engaging in social and political issues, these brands contribute to the maintenance of an oppressive and unjust system, ultimately prioritizing profit over fundamental human rights and progress.”
Constant exposure to beauty hauls and the pressure to purchase new products can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Research has shown that excessive consumption can lead to anxiety and stress. Imagine how you feel when someone displays a shiny, bright, and new thing to convince you that what you have is lacking. It’s not a great feeling.
How can we overcome these overwhelming feelings? By adopting a minimalist approach and focusing on self-acceptance, we can prioritize our mental well-being over material possessions. This is also helpful for the typical beauty influencer, who may think that their overspending comes from an innocent place when in fact it may be driven by societal pressures and the need for validation. Beauty influencers need to recognize the negative impact of their excessive spending habits and how that impact affects their viewers. Instead, influencers should promote a healthier mindset towards material possessions. We all need to rethink our approach to consumption, especially when the industry is so unregulated.
The Dark Side of the Beauty Industry
Behind the shimmering façade of the beauty industry lies a murky underbelly that many consumers are unaware of. As we revel in our beauty hauls, blissfully indulging in our passion for all things cosmetics, we often overlook the hidden costs and ethical dilemmas associated with our purchases. The dark side of the beauty industry encompasses a multitude of concerns, from animal testing to environmentally damaging manufacturing processes.
One of the most significant issues arising from beauty hauls is excessive packaging. Each product comes swathed in layers of plastic, cardboard, and Styrofoam, contributing to immense waste that ends up in landfills or pollutes our oceans. The production process for these items consumes vast amounts of energy and resources while releasing harmful greenhouse gases into our atmosphere.
According to a journal article by NIH, it is estimated that 280 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide each year (Cubas et al., 2022). According to a report by Terracycle News, the beauty industry produces about 120 billion units of plastic waste each year. The beauty industry must address its role in the global plastic crisis by promoting sustainable alternatives and reducing plastic use. While corporations have added vague promises of sustainable initiatives, their lack of substance and transparency perpetuates the status quo.
On top of animal testing, unsustainable packaging, and greenwashing, there is also the issue of brands remaining moderate in the face of the current political climate. It is almost impossible to hold brands accountable for ethical responsibility when they choose to remain silent or apolitical. By not taking a stand or actively engaging in social and political issues, these brands contribute to the maintenance of an oppressive and unjust system, ultimately prioritizing profit over fundamental human rights.
Corporations thrive on overconsumption because it drives their profits and allows them to maintain a constant demand for their products. This overconsumption not only depletes natural resources and contributes to environmental degradation, but also perpetuates a culture of materialism that can be detrimental to our society as a whole. However, these practices are not sustainable for brands or their consumers.
As consumers become more aware of the negative impacts of overconsumption, there is a growing demand for sustainable and ethical alternatives. Brands that fail to adapt to these changing consumer preferences may face backlash and a loss of market share.
How to Adopt a Sustainable Approach to Beauty Collections
Embracing a sustainable approach can not only help us declutter our physical space but also contribute to a more sustainable beauty industry. By streamlining our beauty collections, we can prioritize quality over quantity and make conscious choices that benefit both our well-being and the environment.
TLDR:
Evaluate your current beauty collection: Keep items that bring you joy or serve a purpose, let go of expired or unnecessary products.
Donate unopened items: Consider donating to local shelters or organizations.
Curate with versatility: Opt for multi-purpose products like balms or palettes with diverse shades.
Embrace "less is more": Choose timeless makeup looks that require minimal product usage.
Opt for refillable products: Reduce packaging waste by purchasing refillable items like foundation or lipstick.
Support sustainable brands: Look for brands with recycled or biodegradable packaging, transparent ingredient sourcing, and ethical labor practices.
Beware of greenwashing: Don't be fooled by brands claiming sustainability while still using unsustainable practices.
Practice conscious consumerism: Be mindful of the environmental and social impact of your purchases, prioritize quality over quantity, and support brands that align with your values.
Start by evaluating your current collection and identifying products that truly bring you joy or serve a purpose. Let go of items that have expired or no longer meet your needs, and consider donating unopened products to local shelters or organizations. As you curate your collection, opt for versatile products that offer multiple benefits, such as multi-purpose balms or palettes with diverse shades. Embrace the philosophy of "less is more" when it comes to makeup trends as well—choose timeless looks that can be achieved with minimal product usage.
“By promoting excessive consumption and showcasing large beauty collections, you contribute to the perpetuation of unsustainable practices.”
A sustainable beauty practice is purchasing refillable beauty products, such as foundation or lipstick, which can help reduce packaging waste. Supporting brands that use recycled or biodegradable packaging materials goes beyond buying refillable lipsticks. It involves investing in products from transparent brands that use planet-friendly ingredients and packaging, as well as products with transparent labor practices and production sources.
Your favorite refillable lipstick from that one brand doesn’t count when the item is made entirely of plastic.
Another approach is embracing what lies in the form of conscious consumerism. This powerful movement is driven by individuals who recognize their ability to effect change through mindful purchasing decisions. Conscious consumerism encourages consumers to be more aware of the environmental and social impact of their choices. We all know that the issue of mass production and waste is not the fault of the individual. Though these corporations would like you to think so,. The real change will come from a systematic process that has to be implemented at the federal level.
For now, what we can control are our individual choices. By actively seeking out brands that align with our values, we can make a significant difference in promoting sustainable practices within the beauty industry. We can prioritize quality over quantity, focusing on products that are ethically sourced, cruelty-free, and packaged with minimal waste.
Encouraging conscious consumerism and mindful choices in the beauty industry can lead to a greener future, despite the challenges posed by unsustainable beauty practices. Sharing our journey towards sustainability and highlighting the positive impact of eco-friendly beauty habits can inspire others to adopt conscious choices, sparking curiosity and motivating others to follow suit.
Beauty hauls have inadvertently contributed to the unsustainable practices prevalent in the beauty industry. However, let us choose quality over quantity, support sustainable brands, and inspire others to do the same. Together, we can eradicate beauty hauls once and for all, fostering a more sustainable and ethical future for the beauty industry as a whole.
Sources:
Cubas, A. L. V., Bianchet, R. T., Reis, I. M. A. S. D., & Gouveia, I. C. (2022). Plastics and Microplastic in the Cosmetic Industry: Aggregating Sustainable Actions Aimed at Alignment and Interaction with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Polymers, 14(21), 4576. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14214576
Socials:
