Looking to make more environmentally-conscious decisions when it comes to your beauty routine? Take it from model, environmentalist and Garnier ambassador, Laura Wells, who knows the way forward in sustainable beauty stretches far beyond organic and naturally-derived ingredients. Garnier’s Green Beauty initiative is making strides to make their packaging zero virgin plastic, reusable, recyclable or compostable, and is working to make their carbon neutral industrial sites, by 2025 – and we’re on board!
Below, Wells talks marie claire through her beauty rules and how to make clean, green and carbon neutral beauty decisions. Hint: it’s easier than you think.
My first beauty memory is my mum telling me to always use sunscreen if I want to look good in later life.
My beauty philosophy has changed dramatically. I used to think that we all have to look a certain way to be beautiful, but that just isn’t the case.
I really believe that beauty is the energy you give off and how you treat people and the planet.
Cleansing with micellar water transformed the texture of my skin. I use the Garnier Organics formula twice a day with washable cleansing pads from Face Halo, which don’t produce any waste. We need to be moving toward packaging that is actually biodegradable, compostable or made from 100 per cent recycled material.
GARNIER Organics Cornflower Micellar Water, $14.95; chemistwarehouse.com.au
I prefer natural and sustainably sourced scents. Sometimes I’ll opt for essential oils, like grapefruit, sweet orange and jasmine. They remind me of the ocean, summer and being outside.
The best skin tip I’ve picked up on set is: prep, prep, prep! For me, that means always drink plenty of water and moisturise before applying makeup.
I love microdermabrasion. I try to have a treatment once a month to remove dead cells. It has really helped my dry skin feel so much healthier. Spritzing with an Argan-based mist throughout the day helps too.
GARNIER Organics Argan Nourishing Mist, $13.95; chemistwarehouse.com.au
Most days, I am a makeup minimalist. I’ll put on a light layer
of vegan-friendly foundation with spf, a dusting of bronzer, my Ere Perez mascara, and if I need a pop of colour, I’ll finish with a little of Luma cream blush on the apples of my cheeks.
BAREMINERALS Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream, $53; mecca.com.au
ERE PEREZ Avocado Waterproof Mascara, $34; ereperez.com
LUMA Just A Touch Lip & Cheek Tint in Lady Luck, $29.95; lumabeauty.com
Before I shop, I always do my homework. I try to buy brands that are vegan, not tested on animals, sustainably sourced and with minimal, recyclable or compostable packaging. It can be difficult sometimes, but researching a brand before purchasing now just feels normal.
Hair moisturiser has saved my strands. Since using Garnier’s Banana Hair Food, it’s so much stronger. And the scent reminds me of all those tropical holidays we can’t take right now. If I forget to pack it, I cover my hair in coconut oil instead.
GARNIER Fructis Hair Food in Nourishing Banana, $11.95; chemistwarehouse.com.au
Ready to make the switch to sustainable beauty? Read more about Garnier’s initiative here.
This article originally appeared in the November 2020 issue of marie claire.
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