Last year, a survey found that 53% of women over the age of 35 believe that buying ‘green’ beauty is important to them, while 73% of millennial women actively seek out cleaner, all-natural products.
We’re lucky enough to have a handful of eco-friendly beauty brands that were founded right here in Wales, meaning that shopping local with these guys will earn you extra ethical smug-points.
Miss Patisserie
Charlotte Simoes is the Penarth-based businesswoman behind Miss Patisserie, a vegan skincare brand who create products that look good enough to eat. From sumptuous, cupcake-shaped bath melts to environmentally-friendly coffee scrubs and body souffles, these dreamy treats are far too pretty to be hidden away in the bathroom cabinet. Pick them up online or in store, and keep them within easy reach for the next time you’re in need of some TLC.
Amaryllis Salon
I’ve written about Amaryllis Salon in Canton before – it’s where I’ve been getting my hair done ever since I moved back to Cardiff. It was founded by two friends, Tiffany and Rebecca, who decided to exclusively style with products by Davines, an Italian haircare brand with an impressive commitment to sustainability. You can read about the measures Tiff and Bec take at their salon in this post – from charging customers a £1 ‘green fee’ to fund sustainable initiatives, to recycling human hair to protect oceans from oil spills – yes, really!
Spectrum Collections
Sophie and Hannah Pycroft are the Barry-based sisters behind Spectrum Collections, the make-up brush brand with a cult-like following on social media. Spectrum had humble beginnings; being run from the sisters’ garage at home, but thanks to bloggers and influencers going crazy for the brushes on Instagram, the brand is now estimated to be worth a cool £8m. All Spectrum products are vegan certified and cruelty-free.
I particularly love how the sisters often share info and advice on their own social media feeds about how to be more eco-friendly day-to-day. Two girls after my own heart!
Naissance
Naissance was founded in the Brecon Beacons mountains in 2005 when it began sourcing essential oils and natural raw ingredients from around the world. These days, the company say their mission is to inspire a “greener and cleaner marketplace” and to “ensure that people are aware of the importance of organic and natural products for the overall health of the planet.”
I discovered these guys when they invited me to try out their DIY beauty craft kits that let you create your own bath bombs, beard oils, lip balms and body scrubs from scratch. So far, I have given a few of their other products a try and have been impressed. The quality is great, and the pricing really stacks up against similar brands like Neals Yard Remedies. With the Naissance rosehip facial serum coming in at £6.49, versus Neals Yard’s rehydrating rose facial oil at £26, I might be making some sneaky brand swaps over the next few months.
The Goodwash Company
An ex Welsh International Hockey and Touch Rugby Player (Mandy) and a former Wales and Professional Footballer (Kelly) founded the Goodwash Co right here in Cardiff. Their business is driven by a desire to make a difference, and both founders are passionate about improving lives; 100% of profits from company sales and fundraising activities are donated to projects dedicated to helping animals and humans in need. I discovered them when I was gifted some of their £15 hand cream infused with lavender, patchouli and rose geranium – l loved the smell, and the luxurious look of the packaging, too.
Know any ethical Welsh beauty brands I missed? Let me know in the comments below 🙂
