Clean Beauty
The first big tick for Aleph for me is that it is a New Zealand company because I like to support local and New Zealand businesses when I can. I have been using aleph make-up for a couple of years now and it is the best make-up I have ever used. A big positive for me is that it is fragrance free and doesn’t triggers my skin or salicylate sensitivities, but I also receive a lot of compliments about how good it looks. The Aleph Concealer/Foundation contains light diffusing elements that give your skin a beautiful natural luminosity. Aleph is committed to sustainable production practices and you can recycle most of their containers. Their products have :
Less plastic in packaging and no microplastics in the products.
No synthetic hormone-disruptors.
No PFAs, GMOs, PEGs.
No fillers.
No silicones.
No animal cruelty.
They are committed to:
Safe, plant-based, vegan ingredients
Skincare actives for cellular regeneration
Organic Ingredients
Makeup Artist-driven formulations
Universally flattering shades
Versatile, multi-use products
Sustainability, recyclability, circularity
Ethical production
Transparency
B Corp Certification
Aleph products are in the mid-high price bracket but you only need to use a small amount of product and I think they are good value for money. Aleph also has a generous beauty points reward system, where you receive one point for every one dollar spent and you can earn extra rewards for posting reviews. You receive a gift of 100 points on your birthday and 50 points on signing up. Plus, you get a referral code and if people use it they get a $10 voucher and you get 250 points. Win, win. If you want to support me, then click here to use my referral code.
People and Planet Friendly Clothing
I have organic cotton active wear and underwear from Australian company Bhumi. AND I LOVE IT! The fabric and construction are very high quality with some nice little design features like embroidered logos on the sweatshirt rather than printed, and stylish printing of the logo on the back of the cropped bra top. All the items I bought fit well and are very comfortable, including the briefs which don’t ride up (always a big tick for me). It is higher price bracket clothing, but I would say worth the investment. So far it has washed up well.
Bhumi also make organic cotton bedding and towels.
The company is committed to healthy and sustainable practices and are one of few business that use non-toxic dyes as well as organic fibres.
We only use and will only ever use GOTS certified fairtrade organic cotton for there to be a positive impact from “seed to shelf” on humanity and the environment. Being strict in our certification ensures that along the whole supply chain there are no GM seeds, no harmful chemicals, insecticides and pesticides, no toxic dyes, bleaches or finishes, no child labour, fair wages and safe working conditions.
The factories run on solar and wind power and all water used is collected during monsoon rainfall. – Bhumi.com
In the photo I am wearing the Bhumi wide leg leggings and cropped bra top.
Good range of natural fibre linen and cotton clothing. Also stocks natural ingredient New Zealand made skincare.
Range of clothing ethically produced clothing made from recycled saris. Saris are generally a mix of fibres, some of which are natural and some may be synthetic. Has a customer rewards programme.
Accessories
happysocks.com
If you are looking for novelty socks then Happy Socks are a more sustainable option and they definitely get points for positivity and promoting joy. Their website indicates a commitment to environmentally sustainable production and resources. They have some organic cotton options and use mainly recycled synthetic fibres. The dyes are normal commercial dyes and the organic cotton socks contain a percentage of synthetic fibre.
I do like the sustainability tip that they included on their website:
“While we carry a big onus and responsibility towards our planet, don’t forget that you, too, can make a difference. Something so small as caring for your socks and making them last longer is a great step towards a more sustainable society.
Looking after your socks with care is the key to making them last longer!
More time with your Happy Socks equals less overconsumption, which in turn means more energy saved! It’s a win-win.
Did you know that your socks get stiff and boring if you wash them over 40 degrees?”
My tip for making your socks last longer is to fold or roll them rather than stretching one over the other to make them a ball which weakens the elastic
