I think we’re way past the times when “conscious consumerism” was just the thing of the eco-friendly, green, “hippie” minority of society. There is an increased demand to know what exactly is that we buy, eat, drive, or wear. We want more and we want better. Better quality, better design, better for the environment and better for society. We want more value in our lives and we have every right to demand that.
So, how do we get it? By becoming more educated, demanding more information and making smarter choices.
Try these tips and step on the path towards becoming a smart and conscious consumer.
+ Know your ingredients. Do some research and find out what ingredients are proven to work for various concerns (anti-aging, hydration, sun protection, brightening etc.)
+ Read the ingredient list. Once you know what ingredients you must look for, always read the ingredient list of the product. See this guide to know what you must be looking for to make sure the product can deliver the much-desired results. Don’t simply believe the marketing bullshit.
+ Limit your beauty stash. While hoarding is always bad, it’s especially pointless when it comes to beauty products. Why? Because
A. Usually it takes some times for products to work. If you’re constantly changing your routine, you don’t leave any chance for them to deliver results.
B. Sadly, beauty products do expire. The more you have, the more likely some of them just go to waste.
+ Choose quality over quantity. Always. Buy well-made quality clothes that suit your style, clothes that you love and can wear for a long time.
+ Buy less. As simple as that. Learn how to decide whether a purchase really makes sense. Invest in a few beautiful, quality pieces instead of a wardrobe overflowing with cheap, badly-made, trendy items.
+ Embrace slow fashion. Know the true cost of fast fashion, paid by the environment, the workers, and ultimately, we as customers. Learn more about and embrace slow fashion.
+ Shop seasonally and locally. Know what’s in season and go to your farmer’s market to get them fresh. Trust me, it’s the single biggest thing you can do to your health (and your wallet, as seasonal and local stuff is usually cheaper).
+ Make meal plans and shopping lists. The amount of food we collectively throw out each week is mind numbing and most often is the result of a lack of planning. Always shop with a list. This will greatly reduce the chance of overbuying.
+ Read the labels. Know where the food came from and what’s in it.
+ Recycle and reduce waste. Say no to plastic and disposable things.
+ Repair, not replace. Aim for reusable alternatives. Step out of and resist today’s throwaway culture.
+ Minimize your life. Declutter. Organize. Decide what’s important to YOU. Only keep the things you value and get rid of the rest.
+ 1 Read and research. Everything: The beauty product you’d like to buy. The brands and how they make your clothes. Where and how your food was grown. How the production affected the environment. What kind of company you support with your money. It might seem too time-consuming at first, but being a smart, conscious consumer is worth every second.
Every time we buy something, we make a choice. Why would you wanna make bad choices?
We need more blogposts about this type of topic, for the sake of our own mental (and financial) health but also for the sake of the environment and society!
I try to implement these as much as I can but it’s not always easy. I sometimes get caught up with shopping and even buying food before looking at what we have in the pantry but I’m trying!!
http://www.elleisforlove.com
I’m so happy you’re saying that because I’d like to make conscious consumerism the main focus of my blog in 2018. And I love that you emphasized the social and environmental impact. Sometimes my problem with minimalism and slow living is that they are too focused on the individual. I’d like to take other factors into consideration as well, and would like to be more mindful about my impact on the world. And yes, it’s not easy. I will not pretend I know all the answers, but sharing the journey – even the mistakes is so important in my opinion.