• Unwash Superstars
  • View all
  • Attire the Studio
  • Henry Rose
  • Completedworks
  • Cadence
  • DedCool
  • Dieux
  • Ohhcean
  • Cabinet Health
  • Krave Beauty
  • Uni
  • Back
  • Refillable Candle Brand, Everly Innovates Home Fragrance

    the unwash review

    Candles and different home fragrances don’t have an excellent sustainability track record for producing waste and releasing fumes in traditional paraffin wax candles. Soy or beeswax candles are a great alternative, but what do you do with the leftover containers? The founder of Everly, Alejandra Guerra, wanted to create a product that fixed that exact problem. Made for avid candle lovers like herself, the brand is determined to help people that regularly burn candles choose a more sustainable option with quality ingredients. Everly offers refillable candles made from coconut and soy wax that are phthalate and paraben free, lasting up to 60 hours.

    “Is there a better way to do candles while not contributing to the 60 tons of household waste that are produced every second?” – Alejandra Guerra, Founder of Everly

    Traditional candles found in most stores are made from paraffin wax and therefore create an environment of air pollution. Much is unknown about the long-term impacts of continued use of these products. Still, there is a high potential for burning traditional candles to expose yourself and the environment to pollutants. Everly’s candles never contain paraffin wax and are made from coconut and soy wax. Many beauty products – including home fragrances, lack regulation from government agencies to ensure that these products meet certain safety and environmental standards. Everly took this into their own hands to make a product that will leave you with peace of mind but is also a better choice for the planet.

    Everly’s refillable candles can be bought as a starter kit or refills if you already have vessels ready to use. To refill your candle vessel, place a fresh wick in the center, heat the wax to be poured in, and let it set for a few hours – it’s that easy. Refilling your candles could even be a fun activity for a date night or a hangout with friends. The packaging for the refills is 60% compostable, and the brand is working on finding 100% compostable packaging, which would make this a zero-waste product. The brand is part of 1% for the planet and is committed to helping people choose more sustainable options without compromise. 

    01

    Eauso Vert

    Sourced with sustainable materials and committed to ingredient transparency, Eauso Vert is hoping to create a new standard in the luxury fragrance industry. Launched with six scents that range from fresh to woody and warm, there is a scent perfect for anyone. The founders reminisce on their memories with fragrance, whether childhood stories or travel, and wanted to create a fragrance line that helps the consumer tell a story. 

    02

    Neen

    Founded by Jeanine Lobell of Stila Cosmetics – Neem is blazing a new trail for sustainability in the beauty industry with products made to last and packaging that is entirely reusable. Neen has a focus on buying less and having your products do more. The brand created a one-of-a-kind, medical-grade silicone mold to hold the refillable products that can be washed and reused (they’re even dishwasher safe). Launching with a range of colorful and eye-catching lip, eye, and cheek products – these are made to help you achieve a full look with only a few products.

    03

    OUI, the People

    Founder Karen Young was on a mission to change how razors are marketed towards women specifically and the disparity in quality between men’s and women’s shaving products. Not only is a stainless steel razor better for the environment, but it is also better for the skin as it leads to less irritation and hyperpigmentation. It’s no wonder their razor has won a slew of awards and is in high demand. The brand offers a range of products and their beloved razor suited for everyone and every need, including their hydrating body gloss and cream body polish.

    Chic, Refillable Cleaning Brand Guests on Earth

    the unwash review

    Guests on Earth is a planet-minded home cleaning company helping reduce plastic waste traditionally used with cleaning products. Providing transparency from where ingredients are sourced to where your product is being packaged, this brand is working to help consumers be more aware of the lifecycle of their purchases. Seeing a gap in the industry and lack of innovation, Guests on Earth wanted to create a product that is something consumers can genuinely feel good about.

    “I’d like our brand to be a force for change, we want to make a positive impact.” – Jackie Prinze, Guests on Earth Co-Founder

    Founded by two friends looking to make a difference, Guests on Earth is a chic yet conscious product swap. The brand offers a range of refillable all-purpose cleaning products and hand soap packaged in aluminum containers, as well as reusable spray nozzles and pumps. Guests on Earth makes choosing sustainable choices an easy task. All packaging is recyclable or compostable; the only plastic used is spray nozzles and soap pumps. These items can be reused indefinitely and were manufactured with longevity in mind. 

    Founders Jackie Prince and Liz Dayton aim to create a new norm in the industry and create a ripple effect of change. Using their platform for good, the brand’s website hosts their blog Good Guests, where they highlight other founders of brands with similar ethics and goals. Guests on Earth is working to create a product that doesn’t contribute to additional plastic waste while having a solid personal aesthetic are at the heart of Guests on Earth and truly delivered on this front.

    01

    Haeckels

    Skin and body care brand Haeckels has been around for the past decade and has been a pioneer for sustainable skincare in the UK. This past summer, the company went under a rebrand not only for its design but for ensuring its sustainability platform met new standards. The brand aims for complete transparency for its consumers to provide the best quality product while maintaining its ideals for sustainability and conservation.

    02

    Plus

    Plus eliminates the use of unnecessary plastic with their dissolvable packet-based body wash. Once you’re in the shower, rip open the packet, and it can all go safely down the drain. We love this product because whether you’re looking for something for everyday use, travel, or throwing in your gym bag, the brand innovates a product that we maybe didn’t realize needed a change. For daily use, you can purchase the refillable dispenser, and for on-the-go, the travel packs are perfect.

    03

    Freestyle

    Freestyle is an up-and-coming diaper brand that wants to revolutionize personal care for children. When it comes to making more earth-focused purchases, we shouldn’t let these values fall to the wayside when supporting child-based brands. Made from a hyper absorbent planet-based BambooTek, these diapers provide up to 12 hours of leak protection and are almost 100% biodegradable. Freestyle is working to give parents peace of mind when choosing the best diapers.

    Apo.Ge is Paving the Way in Transparency

    the unwash review

    The founder of Apo.Ge, Collen Poe is using the brand’s platform to promote transparency in the production process and gives us a look into how their products are made. Whether you want to know how to use a specific product or how to recycle used product jars properly, it’s all covered on their Tik Tok and Instagram. Apo.Ge keeps it real on their social media by giving consumers a transparent look into the brand, which is why people love it.

    “When you buy a product you are also buying into the ethics and values of that company.” – Colleen Poe, Apo.Ge Founder

    Apo.Ge is a plastic-free, unisex skincare brand that utilizes ethically sourced manuka honey and hemp as its highlight ingredients. The brand only uses packaging that can be repurposed or disposed of properly, such as aluminum, paper, and glass. 70% of plastics used in the beauty industry end up in landfills, and this brand is committed to being part of the solution and proving how possible it is to make an easy change. 

    This brand is part of 1% for the Planet and is certified cruelty-free from Leaping Bunny – ensuring that your purchase is something you can feel good about. Apo.Ge embodies a less is more approach and proves that you don’t need excess products, packaging, or materials to be a stand-out brand. Apo. ge started from the get-go with a planet and people-focused mentality and is unwavering in its determination to make a change in the beauty industry.

    01

    Everist

    Everist gives you a traditional shampoo and conditioner feel without additional waste. These concentrates are revolutionizing a notably wasteful industry and are a force for positive change. Everist uses ingredients that naturally break down over time and do not pollute water systems. Their shipping cartons and mailers are recyclable or compostable, and they offer a buyback program for the cap of the product to be upcycled for future Everist products.

    02

    Haeckels

    Skin and body care brand Haeckels has been around for the past decade and has been a pioneer for sustainable skincare in the UK. This past summer, the company went under a rebrand not only for its design but for ensuring its sustainability platform met new standards. The brand aims for complete transparency for its consumers to provide the best quality product while maintaining its ideals for sustainability and conservation.

    03

    Dip Premium Hair Care

    Dip has a range of 35 color-safe shampoo and conditioner bars in a wide range of scents and travel tins. Whatever your hair care needs are, Dip has you covered. Dip is on a mission to convert big brand hair care lovers to a more sustainable option that doesn’t skimp on quality. Whether you’re looking for an everyday zero-waste staple or the perfect travel haircare, this brand is an ideal product swap.

    Small Batch, Low-Waste Knitwear Brand Suss Knits

    the unwash review

    The mother-daughter duo behind Suss Knits (pronounced sOOs) is committed to slow and small batch fashion and keeping their manufacturing process as low waste as possible. Intending to create a knitwear line focused on sustainability, ethical production practices, and inclusivity, Suss is creating knits to be enjoyed by everyone. Inspired by their Swedish heritage, 80’s grunge, and inspiring individuality, the brand capitalizes on knit as an art form.

    Suss Cousins has been a knitwear industry veteran, and with her daughter turning business partner, Hanna Cousins, the two have revived Suss Cousins former brand to what we now know as Suss Knits. During the pandemic’s beginning, the pair were able to turn time at home into a business venture. Turning their home into a studio, Suss and Hanna built their brand off the back of quality family time, a theme consistent throughout the brand’s inspiration and mission.

    “I think what sets us apart from others is how involved we are with each piece we make.” – Hanna Cousins, Suss Knits Co-Founder

    The brand uses hand-looming techniques to ensure a waste-free production process meaning that yarn is not cut or sewn. With a focus on sustainable sourcing, the brand also uses recycled yarn from cotton factory waste and plastic bottles. The brand’s knitwear technicians have been part of the journey for over 20 years, being part of Suss Cousin’s original store on Beverly Boulevard – making this a full-fledged family affair. The founders ensure their involvement in every aspect of the production process and play a hands-on role in creating all the brand’s pieces which sets them apart from other knitwear brands. Suss Knits makes buying sustainable-small batch clothing a no-brainer with their creative designs that both look and feel incredible.

    01

    Plus

    Plus eliminates the use of unnecessary plastic with their dissolvable packet-based body wash. Once you’re in the shower, rip open the packet, and it can all go safely down the drain. We love this product because whether you’re looking for something for everyday use, travel, or throwing in your gym bag, the brand innovates a product that we maybe didn’t realize needed a change. For daily use, you can purchase the refillable dispenser, and for on-the-go, the travel packs are perfect.

    02

    Experiment


    You’ve probably seen these neon green sheet masks all over Tik-Tok and Instagram, serving up your daily dose of alien chic. Founders Lisa Guerrera and Emmy Ketcham found a void in the beauty industry that needed to be filled. The ‘Avant Guard’ sheet masks come in two different sizes and help you lock in moisture, leaving your skin refreshed. Producing less than 93% of carbon emissions of a single-use facemask, Experiment is focused on a sustainable and science-driven beauty world.

    03

    Uni

    Uni is a design-driven refillable system for body wash, haircare, hand wash, and body serum. Focused on providing a sleek and elevated product, Uni makes choosing more sustainable options a streamlined process. Uni values transparency and quality by providing an EWG rating for their ingredients that are all reef safe. These products make choosing more sustainable swaps a simple choice that will feel like a luxury and is a brand focused on long-haul sustainability.

    Personal Care Brand Haeckels Pushes Their Sustainability Efforts Forward

    the unwash review

    Skin and body care brand Haeckels has been around for the past decade and has been a pioneer for sustainable skincare in the UK. This past summer, the company went under a rebrand not only for its design but for ensuring its sustainability platform met new standards. The brand aims for complete transparency for its consumers to provide the best quality product while maintaining its ideals for sustainability and conservation. Offering free products to those that bring back used products that need to be disposed of and being part of 1% for the Planet, Haeckels is determined to help make environmental change while also delivering high-quality products.

    “For Haeckels, this new identity represents ten years of hard-working pioneering new materials, new science and new sustainability credentials.” – Charlie Vickery, Haeckels Managing Director

    With the brand’s recent rebrand, they have moved away from refillable packaging after extensive research to determine if consumers were truly utilizing the refillable containers. The new line Haeckels unveiled uses completely compostable material, Vivomer – no matter where it ends up. Innovative packaging is nothing new for the brand – in 2020, Haeckels won the Wallpaper Design Award for packaging made from mushrooms and plantable seeds.

    Skincare is only one part of the Haeckels ethos. The brand has a wide range of candles, fragrances, and hair care products. Initially launched in 2012 as a men’s skincare line, the brand diversified and found a large following outside its male products. The UK-based fan-favorite brand plans a more extensive international expansion due to high demand and interest in its products. With products for everyone and every need, Haeckels holds true to its values and continues to adapt to the needs of its consumers as they grow. The brand is steadfast in its position as a sustainable staple.

    01

    Biom

    Biom offers 100% plant-based, biodegradable wipes with refillable packaging that provide functionality and smart design all in one. It doesn’t hurt that they’ll look great sitting on your counter. The all-purpose cleaning and sanitizing wipes were created with the planet and consumer in mind. The brand focuses on more streamlined, gentle ingredients that are safe on skin for their hand-sanitizing wipes. 

    02

    Freestyle

    Freestyle is an up-and-coming diaper brand that wants to revolutionize personal care for children. When it comes to making more earth-focused purchases, we shouldn’t let these values fall to the wayside when supporting child-based brands. Made from a hyper absorbent planet-based BambooTek, these diapers provide up to 12 hours of leak protection and are almost 100% biodegradable. Freestyle is working to give parents peace of mind when choosing the best diapers.

    03

    Guests on Earth

    Guests on Earth is a planet-minded home cleaning company helping reduce plastic waste traditionally used with cleaning products. Providing transparency from where ingredients are sourced to where your product is being packaged, this brand is working to help consumers be more aware of the lifecycle of their purchases. Seeing a gap in the industry and lack of innovation, Guests on Earth wanted to create a product that is something consumers can genuinely feel good about.

    e.l.f. Cosmetics Manufacturer Earns Fair Trade Certification

    the unwash • social impact

    e.l.f. Cosmetics has become the first company in the beauty industry to have one of its manufacturing facilities earn a Fair Trade USA™ certification, marking a possible turning point in the industry. The brand has been vegan since the beginning and part of PETA’s cruelty-free program since 2005. Known for their inexpensive and accessible beauty products, many of us remember their $1 sections at big box stores. Being cruelty-free, vegan, and affordable is somewhat revolutionary in the beauty industry, especially ten or more years ago. Their recent Fair Trade achievement only furthers their commitment to using their brand for positive change. Of course, there are always improvements to be made regarding plastic waste from beauty products or excess packaging that cannot be recycled. However, ensuring ethical factory standards is a huge step in the right direction, and should create a movement to ensure other companies follow suit.

    So, what exactly does it mean to be Fair Trade USA ™certified?

    Fair Trade USA ™ is a model of responsible businesses with shared values in eliminating poverty, practicing sustainable sourcing, improving livelihoods, and protecting the environment. Fair Trade is also committed to sustainable development for farmers and their communities and being transparent about the supply chain process. These certifications are only for specific products, not companies as a whole. Earning a Fair Trade certification is a rigorous process and holds companies accountable for ensuring standards are regularly met for certified products.

    “Our partnership with e.l.f. Beauty shows the breadth of what’s possible with Fair Trade Certified across industries. It’s a world-changing way of doing business.” – Paul Rice, CEO of Fair Trade USA

    What does this mean for e.l.f Cosmetics?

    One of the brand’s third-party manufacturing facilities has earned this certification, meaning that the products from this facility are Fair Trade USA ™certified. Keep an eye out for e.l.f products with the Fair Trade stamp of approval, as these products will directly benefit the workers that manufactured that product.

    Brands are responsible for a certain level of social responsibility for their products. When buying a product, a much greater implication occurs, and a brand taking responsibility for this creates a sense of accountability that reassures consumers. Consumers hold much more power than is realized and are often the catalyst when brands decide to implement large-scale changes such as ethical certifications. In the past two years alone, dozens of brands have switched to vegan formulas, obtained Leaping Bunny certifications, and started using FSC packaging, to name a few. A Fair Trade certification is not an easy task, and this marks a large shift in the beauty industry. More and more companies are transparent that their consumer base wants to be involved in the process and feel their own sense of social responsibility with their purchases. e.l.f. Cosmetics is continuing to work on earning further certifications for their other factory locations and is creating stark change in the industry that hopefully inspires other brands to emulate.

    01

    Oui, the People

    Ditching disposable razors for a safety razor is an awesome low-waste swap. Karen Young’s OUI, the People, makes shaving a luxurious but also mindful experience. With a focus on genderless products, Young has cultivated a company that meets the needs of everyone. This razor is great for even the most sensitive skin and innovates how we approach shaving.

    02

    Plus

    Plus eliminates the use of unnecessary plastic with their dissolvable packet-based body wash. Once you’re in the shower, rip open the packet, and it can all go safely down the drain. We love this product because whether you’re looking for something for everyday use, travel, or throwing in your gym bag, the brand innovates a product that we maybe didn’t realize needed a change.

    03

    Dip Premium Hair Care

    Dip has a range of 35 color-safe shampoo and conditioner bars in a wide range of scents and travel tins. Whatever your hair care needs are, Dip has you covered. This zero-waste hair care brand has created bars suited for every hair type and need. Dip is on a mission to convert big brand hair care lovers to a more sustainable option that doesn’t skimp on quality.

    Redefining Reusable In Your Beauty Routine

    the unwash • guide

    Snapping a selfie in your designer hydrating eye masks is great until you throw them away just a few minutes later. Single-use products are rampant in the beauty industry, and let’s be honest; they’re almost entirely unnecessary. Makeup wipes, sheet masks, and eye masks are easy and convenient but lack practicality for everyday use. Dieux and Experiment are leading the way in creating reusable face products that significantly reduce the creation of excess waste, redefining how we think about reusable. 

    You’ve probably seen these neon green sheet masks all over Tik-Tok and Instagram, serving up your daily dose of alien chic. Founders Lisa Guerrera and Emmy Ketcham found a void in the beauty industry that needed to be filled. The ‘Avant Guard’ sheet masks come in two different sizes and help you lock in moisture, leaving your skin refreshed. Producing less than 93% of carbon emissions of a single-use facemask, Experiment is focused on a sustainable and science-driven beauty world.

    “Experiment marries the idea of true sustainable thinking, elegant formulation, and fun aesthetics to create a brand that looks towards the future beauty consumer.” – Lisa Guerrero CEO of Experiment

    Dieux has taken social media by storm as well by creating a reusable eye mask that may as well be a fashion statement. These eye masks put their single-use counterparts to shame. These come in a reusable aluminum storage case and are made from non-porous silicone with the intent of pairing with the eye products you already have for maximum absorption. With the mission of helping you “dieux-less,” Dieux has all your skincare needs covered. 

    Simple product swaps like these can make a big impact, and it doesn’t hurt that you’ll look great while doing it. When brands redefine the norm, it opens up opportunities for greater change and blazes a path for other companies to follow suit. 

    01

    Plus

    Plus eliminates the use of unnecessary plastic with their dissolvable packet-based body wash. Once you’re in the shower, rip open the packet, and it can all go safely down the drain. Everything, including the box the wash comes in, is entirely compostable. We love this product because whether you’re looking for something for everyday use, travel, or throwing in your gym bag, the brand innovates a product that we maybe didn’t realize needed a change. For daily use, you can purchase the refillable dispenser, and for on-the-go, the travel packs are perfect.

    02

    Ries

    Ries is a line of TSA-size approved refillable containers retailing at $18. The bottles are crafted from post-consumer recycled plastic and created with the purpose of consistent reuse. Graham saw the plastic problem in the beauty industry and wanted to innovate how we reuse plastics. Being a new brand, this is just the beginning for Ries. The brand continues to test different materials for use to be as conscious of its sustainability as possible. Ries puts value on the circularity of their product and hopes choices like using up-cycled materials will become more of a norm in the beauty industry.

    03

    Uni

    Uni makes purchasing refillable body care products as simple and streamlined as possible. This new brand focuses on having a closed-loop system and keeping its products as circular as possible. Uni is a design-driven refillable system for body wash, haircare, hand wash, and body serum. Focused on providing a sleek and elevated product, Uni makes choosing more sustainable options a streamlined process. Uni values transparency and quality by providing an EWG rating for their ingredients that are all reef safe.

    Steph Shep Backed Brand is Revolutionizing Personal Care

    the unwash review

    Personal care products tend to lack thoughtful packaging and mainly end up in landfills. When purchasing personal care or beauty products, you may think that these small items won’t add to the additional waste that is already being created. In reality, they account for approximately ⅓ of landfill waste. There are effective ways to start combating this surmounting problem, and Plus is doing just that.

    Plus eliminates the use of unnecessary plastic with their dissolvable packet-based body wash. Once you’re in the shower, rip open the packet, and it can all go safely down the drain. Everything, including the box the wash comes in, is entirely compostable. 

    “The brand lends itself to being able to tell this fun story and for people to want to change their habit, not because it’s out of necessity.” – Stephanie Shepherd, Plus Chief Impact Officer

    We love this product because whether you’re looking for something for everyday use, travel, or throwing in your gym bag, the brand innovates a product that we maybe didn’t realize needed a change. For daily use, you can purchase the refillable dispenser, and for on-the-go, the travel packs are perfect. 

    When we think of zero waste or low impact, we typically think of bars of soap or refillable dispensers. Plus makes a completely dissolvable body wash perfect for a variety of purposes. Whether you are just starting trying out low-waste products or you’ve been doing it for years – Plus puts quality and innovation at the forefront and creates a product that doesn’t disappoint. 

    01

    Everist

    Everist uses ingredients that naturally break down over time and do not pollute water systems. Their shipping cartons and mailers are recyclable or compostable, and they offer a buyback program for the cap of the product to be upcycled for future Everist products. Everist gives you a traditional shampoo and conditioner feel without additional waste. These concentrates are revolutionizing a notably wasteful industry and are a force for positive change.

    02

    Saie Beauty

    Saie takes accountability for ensuring that their consumers know what to do with the packaging and products instead of just throwing everything in the trash bin. When you receive your products in the mail, all the exterior packaging can go straight to recycling. Saie also partners with Terracycle, so if you are not sure what the recycling process is in your city, they will take care of it for you.

    03

    Biom

    Biom offers 100% plant-based, biodegradable wipes with refillable packaging that provide functionality and smart design all in one. It doesn’t hurt that they’ll look great sitting on your counter. The all-purpose cleaning and sanitizing wipes were created with the planet and consumer in mind. The brand focuses on more streamlined, gentle ingredients that are safe on skin for their hand-sanitizing wipes. 

    Amp Up Your Shower Game with Everist

    the unwash review

    Everist is the ultimate hair care essential. With a focus on reducing waste in haircare – this is the perfect problem solver.

    Traditional shampoo and conditioner bottles not only fill up landfills but also create an excessive amount of water waste. Shampoo bottles are often made of 70% water, creating more significant carbon emissions when shipping and creating additional unnecessary waste. Everist’s waterless hair and body concentrates are aimed at solving this problem, and it’s the ultimate essential.

    “We need to live more sustainably, but these choices can be overwhelming. As a brand, we believe that we are not only accountable for the waste our products create, but we are also accountable for providing solutions that make eco easier for that mainstream beauty customer.” – Jessica Stevenson, CEO of Everist

    So, what even is a concentrate? Everist concentrates are a waterless product you lather in the shower and then use just like regular shampoo, conditioner, or body wash. They come in a sleek aluminum tube along with an aluminum turn key to ensure the most amount of product is used. Aluminum is the most accessible material to recycle, helping you feel confident when putting this product in your recycle bin after use. This product is heavily concentrated, so a little goes a long way – each bottle should last around three months with regular use.

    Everist uses ingredients that naturally break down over time and do not pollute water systems. Their shipping cartons and mailers are recyclable or compostable, and they offer a buyback program for the cap of the product to be upcycled for future Everist products. 

    Everist gives you a traditional shampoo and conditioner feel without additional waste. These concentrates are revolutionizing a notably wasteful industry and are a force for positive change.

    01

    Dieux

    Dieux has taken social media by storm as well by creating a reusable eye mask that may as well be a fashion statement. These eye masks put their single-use counterparts to shame. These come in a reusable aluminum storage case and are made from non-porous silicone with the intent of pairing with the eye products you already have for maximum absorption. With the mission of helping you “dieux-less,” Dieux has all your skincare needs covered.

    02

    Biom

    In 2022 Biom hit the market and is attempting to tackle exactly this. Biom offers 100% plant-based, biodegradable wipes with refillable packaging that provide functionality and smart design all in one. It doesn’t hurt that they’ll look great sitting on your counter. The all-purpose cleaning and sanitizing wipes were created with the planet and consumer in mind. The brand focuses on more streamlined, gentle ingredients that are safe on skin for their hand-sanitizing wipes.

    03

    Ries

    Ries is a line of TSA-size approved refillable containers retailing at $18. The bottles are crafted from post-consumer recycled plastic and created with the purpose of consistent reuse. Graham saw the plastic problem in the beauty industry and wanted to innovate how we reuse plastics. Being a new brand, this is just the beginning for Ries. The brand continues to test different materials for use to be as conscious of its sustainability as possible. Ries puts value on the circularity of their product and hopes choices like using up-cycled materials will become more of a norm in the beauty industry.

    How to Vote with Your Dollar

    the unwash • guide

    As consumers, we have the power to make systemic changes by taking our power back from large corporations. Money makes the world go round, and if we can use ours to influence the change we want to see, then why not? 

    Heading to the polls is only one piece of the puzzle regarding making a difference in our communities. It’s time to shop like you give a $$$$. 

    Here is our checklist for voting with your dollar.

    1. What would your mission statement be for your reason to shop consciously?

    When thinking of purchasing products, maybe you want to have the intention of only supporting small businesses and putting money into your local community, or perhaps you’re on the start of a journey to go low or zero waste. Think about your overall ethos for making these choices, what that really means, and the greater impact of your actions. 

    2. What are red flags you want to look out for?

    Not all companies are created equal. It’s important to make boundaries around what you aren’t and are okay with and do your research to see what companies, big or small align.

    3. What causes mean most to you?

    Is supporting brands that have ‘give back’ initiatives or openly supporting different social causes most important to you? Maybe you want to focus on companies that are transparent in their production process. Choosing what means the most to you and where you want to localize your contributions can help make a more significant impact. 

    4. Think big picture

    While focusing on your individual ethos is a start, take a moment to step outside yourself. Think of larger sentiments that your community, state, or country is in need of. Is there a way you can align yourself with the community’s needs and rally around local change?

    5. Time to put your money where you’re mouth is – what is in reach for you?

    Identify what steps are attainable for you. Can you come together with your community to make shopping experiences more accessible? Maybe cutting out a big box retailer is just not in the cards for you – what brands at that retailer are best to support? Whether you make big or small changes, the impact doesn’t go unnoticed, and sometimes, the smallest drops can make the biggest splash. 

    01

    Experiment

    You’ve probably seen these neon green sheet masks all over Tik-Tok and Instagram, serving up your daily dose of alien chic. Founders Lisa Guerrera and Emmy Ketcham found a void in the beauty industry that needed to be filled. The ‘Avant Guard’ sheet masks come in two different sizes and help you lock in moisture, leaving your skin refreshed. Producing less than 93% of carbon emissions of a single-use facemask, Experiment is focused on a sustainable and science-driven beauty world.

    02

    Back Beat Co.

    Back Beat Co. is a “people, planet and then profit” brand that gives a $$$$ about you and the planet. The brand focuses on ensuring its consumers are doing more than just shopping sustainably and has created a community through its clean-ups and donation drives. Inspired by a laid-back lifestyle, Back Beat Co. is a slow fashion brand for every day, yearlong wear.

    03

    Conserving Beauty

    Conserving Beauty has created the first ever dissolvable makeup wipe – InstaMelt. There are times when cleansing balms and oils aren’t as functional as we’d like them to be, such as when traveling or going to the gym. Wipes are convenient and easy to pack away, except that wipes are typically made of 90% plastic and end up in a landfill. The founder of Conserving Beauty, Natassia Nicolao, is changing this for good.