Eco-Fabulous Beauty Tips

As the bride, you are the star of your wedding day! That is why it is so important to look and feel your best. Many traditional makeup, hair, and skin products contain ingredients that are toxic and harmful to not only the environment, but you as well. Luckily, there are plenty of eco-chic and toxin-free products to choose from  whether you are going for bold and glamorous or natural and elegant look. Here are a few tips on choosing eco-friendly beauty products so you can look your best!

Body

You will find many of the soaps and moisturizers sitting in your cabinets don’t provide a lists of ingredients.  In fact, you may be unknowingly smothering your skin with toxins that are bad for you and the environment. Your skin is the body’s largest organ and deserves to be treated as the top priority. Make sure to take a moment and look for products that use natural and organic ingredients and are listed right on the package. Just because it is a big brand name, doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the best choice for your skin.

Keep an eye out for petroleum-based products such as soaps and moisturizers. They can actually dry out your skin and leave you feeling dull for your wedding day. Instead, try natural soaps and lotions that lock the moisture in and keep your skin feeling and looking great.

Perfumes can also be loaded with harmful additives. A great substitute to traditional perfumes and colognes can be natural, scented oils. They come in a wide variety of different scents from vanilla to lemongrass.

Hair

In the hours leading up to your wedding, you will probably be fussing with hairspray, gel, and mousse in order to make sure your hair is picture perfect. Watch out for aerosol cans of hairspray, which omit toxic chemicals into the air, and inspect your mouse and gel to see what kinds of ingredients are included.   

Another way to make sure your hair is being treated with respect is to find an eco-friendly salon. Consider using the Green Bride Guide Vendor Directory to search your area for a salon with the same views on the environment as you. If you can’t find any in your neighborhood, think about bringing your own eco-chic products to a regular salon. After all, you’re paying for the service—not their product.

Be careful not to fall victim to toxic chemicals when brightening up your hair color. Most traditional hair dyes contain ammonia, peroxide, and other toxins that can enter to body and cause damage to your hair and lungs. Ask for dye products that use a natural base such as soy and flax. See if the stylist will give you the option to mix only the amount you need to use, so there’s no waste that needs to be disposed of.

Face

No matter what look you are going for, there are plenty of eco-chic ways to enhance the natural beauty of your face. When you’re looking for a make-up brand, you will want to keep an eye out for all natural make-up that may be plant-based. This will not only be better for the environment, but it will do wonders for your skin!

For your lips, steer clear of petroleum based lipsticks and gloss. These products will dry out your lips on a day when they need to be kissable soft. For an extra bonus, keep an eye out for companies that sell their makeup in recycled tins and tubes.

Finishing Touch

Now that you’ve given your skin, hair, and makeup a make over,  its time to focus on the little finishing touches. If you are planning on getting a manicure or pedicure, ask the manicurist if they have polish that is made with a natural oil or water base. If not, most salons are happy to use polish you brought with you. Some nail salons even offer greener methods for manicures and pedicures and will hold on to your emery board and buffer to be re-used the next time you come in.  

When thinking about ways to top off your wedding day look, remember to keep an open mind and do a little searching. Have fun experimenting with new products and go green!