the unwash review
Something that we’re continuously excited about is when plastic-free brands take a unique approach to packaging solutions. Every sustainable brand tackles the plastic problem differently but when a brand stays true to its beautiful and artful packaging without plastic is always great to see. You can kick the plastic buying habit for good with Aora Mexico, a zero-waste beauty brand that makes plastic-free look and feel luxurious. The brand highlights the beauty of Mexican culture with bright colors, shining formulas, and ingredients fueled by ingredients indigenous to the country. The Indigenous people of the country would decorate their faces and bodies with pigments from flowers or insects and hydrate their skin with vitamin E from avocados. Our daily routines are routine in ancient techniques and much can be learned from their ways of caring for their skin, hair, or nails. Aora is rooted in Mexican tradition and puts Mexican beauty on a global stage.
When you think about the beauty industry the first places that come to mind are Europe, the United States, and maybe Australia, all euro-centric countries. Mexico and South America are often left out of the picture and not offered a seat at the table. Aora is on a mission to change that and highlight that great brands are coming out of different countries that deserve their chance to be seen. Aora is about wanting change and the need for something new which is much overdue in the beauty community. The brand offers a departure from what has become the standard with its bright colors, unique packaging, and zero use of plastic. In a sea of neutrals that have become so common in the beauty industry, Aora stands out with its bold colors and formulations.
“We’re not doing plastic-free to say we’re doing plastic-free.” – Nour Tayara, Co-Founder of Aora México
Aora was founded in 2022 by professional makeup artists Nour Tayara, Rodrigo Peñafiel, and Jaspar Eyears to celebrate the rich culture of Mexico through beauty. Their industry experience led them to want to innovate beauty packaging, formulations, environmental responsibility, and representation. The founders are committed to platforming Mexican creativity and creating opportunities for a creative economic ecosystem to thrive. The founders are redefining luxury beauty in the sustainability space and amplifying sustainability possibilities in the industry. The brand goes beyond selling beauty products by ensuring consumer education, cultivating community, and promoting environmental responsibility.
Plastic-free makeup isn’t a limitation but rather offers an opportunity to defy expectations of how innovative products can be without the use of plastic. Aora is not only highlighting the possibilities of zero-waste makeup but is also showcasing the power of Mexican brands in the beauty space. Find your inner artist with their exciting products and unique formulas meant to embrace behind bold rather than blending into the crowd. Aora positions itself as a force for change and invites much-needed transformation for the industry.
01
Nopalera
Nopalera is a skin and body care brand inspired by the founder’s Mexican roots. To us, sustainability isn’t just about the environmental impact but also the impact on people. The brand focuses on formulations infused with Mexican botanicals, highlighting the rich natural agriculture of Mexico. Their namesake products include various cactus soaps, moisturizing body bars, and exfoliants.
02
Completedworks
The brand is regularly searching for new and innovative ways to further its sustainable practices. Completedworks has a strong identity and mission around reducing consumerism but rather making more thoughtful purchases. Clothing, jewelry, and style overall allow consumers to embrace self-expression. Completedworks jewelry becomes wearable art that withstands trends and is built to last.
03
Ceremonia
Ceremonia is a brand inspired by the traditions of Baba’s childhood and the larger Latinx community focusing on hair. Her father being a hairdresser in Chile, had a large inspiration for the brand’s foundation. The brand’s product range focuses on nourishing and strengthening hair with people- and planet-friendly ingredients. Ceremonia is helping its customers reclaim their beauty, embrace their hair type, and feel confident in their own skin.
