SEA OF CHANGE

A RETURN TO NATURE

Covid-19 has had a positive effect on nature and our seas, from reports of basking sharks coming closer to shore across Ireland, the sea in Venice becoming so clear fish have been seen swimming the canals. It shows how change can happen quickly when we make positive changes. While the world begins to reopen here are some of the ways we can continue to keep our seas and coasts clean.

CLEAN COASTS

We are proud to support Clean Coasts with their campaigns to keep our beaches and marine life clean. Last year our teams in Brown Thomas and Arnotts did over 150 volunteering days including beach cleans in Dublin and Galway. According to Clean Coasts this has an immediate improvement on Ireland’s coastal environment which leads to the protection and care for Ireland’s waterways, coastline and seas. While they are not running their planned activities at the moment they do have some guidelines for a #2minutebeachclean beach cleaning should you be within the reach of 5km. Check out their social media and do a beach clean at a beauty spot near you.

PREVENTING PLASTIC IN OUR OCEAN

We are proud to say that since 2016 we have removed and stopped selling all products containing micro-beads from our business. These tiny balls of plastic – smaller than 5 mm – which are commonly used to exfoliate the skin, are non-biodegradable, making them harmful to wildlife. They pollute our oceans and get into the food-chain. Also all brands in our beauty halls have now removed cotton buds and makeup wipes containing plastic and have been replaced with biodegradable; a new EU law will enforce this by 2021 but we are acting sooner.

LA MER #BLUEHEARTAMBASSADORS

For over a decade, La Mer has been committed to helping protect 16 million miles of marine habitats far across the globe through the La Mer Blue Heart Oceans Fund.

This summer, once again the brand will release the Blue Heart Limited Edition Crème de La Mer; a rich moisturiser made with sustainably harvested sea-kelp to commemorate their support of ocean conservation. They have enlisted the work of amazing ambassadors from Philippe Cousteau, (son of Jacques Cousteau), environmentalist, explorer, and award-winning filmmaker, Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist, policy expert and the founder of Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities; and Thomas Peschak who is a Marine biologist turned National Geographic photographer and #BlueHeartAmbassador, he shares in La Mer’s dedication to protecting the living sea. He’s helped to place the spotlight on some of the most critical marine conservation issues of our time. All are partnering with La Mer as a #BlueHeartAmbassador and lending their unique voices to inspire environmental awareness.

BEAUTY FROM THE SEA

For hundreds of years, seaweed bathing has been a ritualistic tradition in the west of Ireland. In the old-fashioned seaweed bathhouses of the Atlantic coast, long, hot soaks are super-loaded with ribbons of the green stuff and pumped with seawater for a replenishing experience. Irish brand VOYA not only offer incredible seaweed baths in Strandhill, Sligo they create a versatile selection of luxury bodycare, candles and diffusers that use the Atlantic ocean's finest seaweed extract and essential oils.

All seaweed used for their products is harvested sustainably by hand in order to protect the vital habitat of the ocean floor (other countries and companies harvest with industrial machinery which rips up everything from the ocean bed along with the seaweed). Their packaging uses inks which are water based so they don’t pollute precious water systems and they use glass where possible, some of their exterior packaging contains seaweed and is compostable, and any plastic used is either made from recycled plastic or is recyclable or both.

Bathing in seaweed or using seaweed products is according to Mark Walton of Voya a long-lasting and sustainable beauty treatment, "It has long outlasted other beauty and health trends—and for good reason. It can provide comfort, as well as health benefits, during this difficult period."

SOOTHING SEAWEED

REFILL WITH MAX BENJAMIN

Max Benjamin have introduced their new refillable candles to encourage the re-use of their glass candle holders which are also recyclable as they are made from clear glass coated in organic paint. All candles are made from 100% natural wax and have been created to sit perfectly into the white glass, meaning you can pop the new candle out of a biodegradable paper cup which is used as packaging for the refills. Saving waste and our planet.

RIPPLES OF CHANGE

HOW TO SAVE OUR SEAS?

Here’s what you can do to help our oceans and our planet even during lockdown. Keep our coasts clean with Clean Coasts advice and buy ocean-friendly, clean beauty where you can. It's time for a new future...

#WorldOceansDay #ProtectOurHome, #PositiveChange #Circular #refillable, #cleanbeauty #sustainablefashion #recycled #Organic

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Ready to join the revolution? Follow the link to learn How To Give Your Beauty A Sustainable Makeover.