If you’re apprehensive to make the switch to green beauty products because you’re not convinced they compare to conventional ones, then please take it from an expert, this is definitely not the case anymore. India Daykin is a makeup artist and the owner of the beautifully curated, Vancouver-based India Rose Cosmeticary. While India is a proponent of green beauty products, quality and innovation are two key aspects she takes into account when it comes to the products she uses and sells. That’s to say, she’s not just choosing products based on that fact that they’re clean, they have to offer results.
So to help you get started if you’re interested in venturing into the world of green beauty, I asked India to share her top 5 brands and why she’s currently loving them.
When and why did you decide to start incorporating green beauty products into your makeup repertoire?
I started incorporating green beauty brands into my makeup kit kind of by accident. I’m an absolute product junkie and when I was beginning the research process in preparation for opening my store, I basically just started buying and trying out all kinds of beauty brands that I thought were doing cool things. I then started to look for connections between them– why would they make sense in my store? What brings them together? And I began to notice that so many of the brands I admired and used happened to be considered “green.” I then started to do more research on what “green” or “clean” beauty products really mean for both our bodies and our environment, and I felt very passionately about it. It’s kind of like changing your eating habits– it’s a lot easier to go vegan if you already love vegetables. So many of the brands that I felt were doing new and exciting things also happened to be green. And this made my transition to using “clean” products that much simpler.
Do you find that the green beauty industry is continuing to evolve and offer products that stand up to conventional ones?
I actually think that the green beauty industry is more innovative than the conventional beauty industry right now. They’re the ones who are pushing the envelope in terms of ingredients and cosmetics formulations because they have to do more with lesser-known ingredients. Even five years ago, a natural beauty product probably meant that it was very heavy on coconut oil (and I’m not hating on coconut oil, don’t get me wrong!) and little else. This is great if you love coconut oil, but it doesn’t work for everyone. It was probably also made in someone’s kitchen. Now that consumers are starting to become more educated on the ingredients that go into their personal care products, there is more of a demand for “clean” beauty. As a result, beauty brands and their investors are starting to see the value in developing natural beauty products that can hold their own against standard skincare and makeup.
There are tons of really fantastic, innovative luxury green beauty brands out there. If you’re used to the luxe aspect of department store makeup brands, you truly do not have to compromise when switching over to a natural makeup and skincare routine. However, where I’m really excited to see innovation is in the drugstore beauty realm. Target is doing a great job of curating more conscious beauty brands at a lower price point. I hope that it catches on in other stores so that everyone has access to greener alternatives at any price point.
India’s Top 5 Green Beauty Brands:
1. KJAER WEIS
I love Kjaer Weis because it is a luxury beauty brand that happens to be green. All of their products are refillable to minimize waste, and if you’re a makeup junkie like me, you can simply buy refill pans and pop them in your own palette.
Kjaer Weis cream blush is pretty much where it all began for me. I have a very distinct, blush-heavy makeup aesthetic and I don’t think it would be possible without my collection of KW’s blushes. My favourite shade for summer is “Sun Touched” which is a beautiful peachy pink that makes you look like you have literally been touched (not burnt!) by the sun. I also love “Happy” which is a vibrant cool-toned pink. It can seem daunting at first, but it is really so subtle, it gives the perfect flush of healthy colour.
I love KW’s lip liners and glosses as well. I’m not a lipstick person, instead, I like to fill my whole lip in with a neutral lip liner (a “your lips but better” shade). I then pop a little bit of gloss overtop.
2. KOSAS
Kosas is a true innovator in the beauty sector. They started off by making the creamiest, most flattering lip colours (“Rosewater” is a holy grail) and then they branched out into blush/highlighter duos. In the past year, they’ve launched Tinted Face Oil. It’s a medium-coverage foundation that feels as light as your favourite face oil. This month they also came out with 10-Second Eyeshadow, a liquid eyeshadow that sets in 10 seconds. You can dab it on with your fingers, rub it around a bit and you’re good to go. I’m not a huge eye makeup person, so I personally love these. They also come in such a fun variety of colours that makes playing with colour feel fresh and approachable.
Holy Grail Products: 10 Second Eyeshadow in “Supreme”, Lipstick is “Rosewater“, Tinted Face Oil
3. JOSH ROSEBROOK
Josh Rosebrook is a biochemist who KNOWS skin. His products are created with painstaking attention to detail and there is a clear intention behind everything he does. He can give you a full breakdown of why every single ingredient is in each of his products. His line looks simple at first glance, and it is in the sense that it is approachable for the average consumer. But don’t be fooled– these botanical products are powerful and effective.
His Nutrient Day Cream Tinted SPF 30 is my holy grail sunscreen and the best selling item in our entire store. I have never met a sunscreen that I like as much as this one. I could wax poetic for hours about how good it makes skin look but you’ll just have to try it to see.
4. AGENT NATEUR
Jena Covello created Agent Nateur with one SKU: a natural deodorant that smells like honey and eucalyptus. It blew up because not only does it look stylish and beautiful, it truly works. Her deodorant is the only one that I will use. She has since launched a full skincare line, along with other personal care products like a bath soak, shave oil and an adaptogen supplement. I don’t know why I’m surprised anymore, but I am so continuously impressed by each and every one of her product launches. She uses only the highest quality ingredients and is totally transparent about how her products are made, what goes into them and why. Her “Holy Trinity’ skincare trio– a hyaluronic toner (which has the texture and weight of a serum), vitamin C powder and face oil, should not be missed. She also just launched an eye cream, which we will be stocking next week and I can’t wait.
5. COSMETICS 27
Cosmetics 27 is a skincare line that we’ve stocked at the store since the beginning and I am constantly reminded how good it is. If you like La Mer, this is a fantastic alternative. The line’s hero ingredient is centella asiatica, which is an asian herb known as the “longevity plant.” It aids in the healing and regeneration of cells. This minimalist line is equally loved by both men and women of all skin conditions. I’m currently using the Creme 27, which is a lotion that was created as a lightweight alternative to the Baume 27, which is perfect for hot summer weather.
Be sure to check out India Rose Cosmeticary online if you can’t make it to the store. And if you live in Vancouver and are looking to get your makeup done, trust me, India will not disappoint!
AND IF ONLINE SHOPPING IS MORE YOUR STYLE, WE LINKED THE ITEMS ON AMAZON FOR YOU
More clean beauty swaps can be found here.
