the unwash review
Luxury makeup line, Kjaer Weis has been a long-time industry leader when it comes to refillable and recyclable packaging. Kjaer Weis isn’t alone in this as other brands in the luxury sector such as Henry Rose and Completedworks have also put sustainability at the forefront of their brand ethos. Beauty products create an extra level of difficulty as it can be hard to ditch plastic components or find packaging options that won’t disrupt formulations. The brand debuted in 2010 with a focus on environmental consciousness including all of its products being certified organic, hence their commitment to the ‘Sustainable Since Day One’ slogan. They launched with refillable compacts that have evolved into the beloved packaging we see over ten years later.
Kjaer Weis was founded by Danish makeup artist, Kristen Weis. Kristen founded the brand with the mentality that makeup should both deliver a quality result as well as being sustainable. The Danish makeup artist has over twenty years of industry experience and saw the negative impact beauty products were having on models’ skin and the environment. Kjaer Weis products are meant to enhance the wearer’s natural beauty with many of their products being light to medium coverage with a glowy finish. The brand makes buying sustainable beauty products a breeze but its limited shade range provides less accessibility for darker skin tones. There is a general lack of consistency with deep shade options across their product lines but we hope they continue to grow these options so their products can be enjoyed across the spectrum for all skin shades.
“It was impossible to ignore and not feel moved to create something different.” – Kristen Weis, Kjaer Weis Founder
In 2020 the brand launched its ‘Red Edition’ marking its tenth anniversary which is comprised of recyclable and compostable materials. Kjaer Weis has a mix of packaging options alongside their Red Edition. Their classic Iconic Edition includes their metal refillable compacts, the refills are packaged in recyclable paper. Other products such as skincare and mascara come in a mix of glass and aluminum packaging.
Kjaer Weis intertwines sustainability and luxury beauty in a way that creates meaningful industry change. The brand has been an innovator for modern makeup before it was deemed an industry necessity to create actionable change in terms of product waste. Their products are a photo shoot and runway staple for a reason, giving a ‘your skin but better’ glow with all of their products. Kjaer Weis has been at the forefront of sustainable beauty since their founding and continues to make innovations that the
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Henry Rose
Henry Rose has been around since 2019 but only recently became our fragrance staple. In 2019 the brand launched with five fragrances and has more than doubled its range, adding home fragrance and body care to its offerings. Henry Rose has three main mission pillars: ingredients, environmental, and social responsibility. The brand’s fragrances are nearly 99% biodegradable, and all the bottles are made from 90% recycled glass.
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Dieux
The brand credits its vastly growing audience to Dieux’s authenticity. The founders keep it real with their consumers and have no interest in marketing gimmicks but are determined to sell high-quality products that pack a punch. Their concise yet impactful product line focuses on protecting the skin barrier and locking moisture in. The brand’s founders aimed to create products that truly do what they claim because they’re putting science at the forefront.
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Eauso Vert
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.
