Vanity with a conscience
With more celebrities and public figures turning social awareness and conscientiousness from mere radical behavior to a more enlightened way of living, it has become increasingly difficult to do anything without thinking about the effects of our actions. As we get educated by how small the world really is, yet how progress has been unequally distributed, implications of what we learn trickle down, consciously or unconsciously, to the littlest things we do.
Take body care, for example. During our more ignorant days, our major concerns in picking out bath and beauty products from the line-up at the drugstore were fragrance, and whether they would suit dry, normal, or oily skin/hair. The selection process was basically a sniff test and a perusal of the product blurbs that promise to make your life better just through daily product use.
These days, however, thanks to animal rights and environmentalist groups, we are conscious not just of what the products can do for us, but also what and how much was involved in their production and what their manufacturing companies stand for. Aside from checking to see if a body wash or lotion has not been tested on animals, and making a rundown of the list of ingredients for possible toxic content, we are becoming more and more compelled to spend our money on businesses that practice advocacy: It’s not so easy anymore to ignore the ramifications of buying a small bottle of moisturizing oil, when that oil could have been produced at the expense of a small community miles away from the comfort of our own homes.
All these boil down to research, which is kind of an antithesis, or at least buzzkill, to the idea of self-pampering.
However, there are conscientious brands and companies that have already laid the groundwork for enlightened consumers who want to make lifestyle changes in small but sure steps. Though their products come at slightly steeper prices, they offer the added value of the reassurance that no animals, families, or communities were harmed or inconvenienced by their business that thrives on helping people feel healthier and better; guilt has never been becoming on wellbeing, after all.
One such company known for going beyond business to doing good through business is The Body Shop. Through its founder, the late Dame Anita Roddick, the brand put the practice of ethical consumerism under the spotlight and launched campaigns that tied beauty products with various campaigns. From its first major campaign, Save the Whale, two decades ago, The Body Shop has taken on causes that brought changes to the way the beauty industry operates, from animal testing to women’s self-esteem issues. Issues that affect women worldwide are also a worthy agenda, such as domestic violence and the rising figures of people infected with HIV and AIDS.
Focusing further on female needs, The Body Shop is introducing its latest line of products designed to help women give a much-needed boost to their health and wellbeing. Their new line of Wellbeing products are classified into four categories, corresponding to the specific needs of the average overstressed woman: Total Energy, a range infused with Amazonian guarana designed to “get your grrrr back” by enhancing energy levels; Deep Sleep, with extracts of jujube date, which nurtures the body and promotes tranquil sleep; Gently Purify with spicy wasabi for cleansing, clarifying, and revitalizing your skin; and Divine Calm, made with pure French lavender essential oil and Community Trade chamomile, for relaxation and serenity. Each line comes complete with products that can help you set up a beauty regime to leave you feeling better and fresher.
The Body Shop also launches its range of Cultural Touch massage products, each one preservative-free and feature Community Trade soya oil from Peru, marula oil from Namibia, and organic olive oil from Italy: The Sensual Massage Oil that promotes tactile intimacy; the Harmonising Massage Oil that helps release tension; the Unfragranced Massage Oil that soothes and relaxes muscles; and the Balancing Massage Balm that helps promote a sense of focus, balance, and relaxation.
Of course, given that the company has done much more than manufacture all-natural bath and beauty products in the past, their Wellbeing products are also linked with another group’s wellbeing, which is the community trade farmers in more than 20 countries, from whom The Body Shop sources their all-natural ingredients. By espousing the necessity of supporting fair trade, the brand aims to encourage consumers to think not just of their need for relaxation and beautification, but also of the plight of the small, disadvantaged communities that provide the raw materials for their beauty potions and brews. Through the practice of fair trade, The Body Shop reassures its clients that the farmers supplying their ingredients are treated with respect, get sustainable income, and are developing their respective communities with help in part from the long-term relationship that they have with the company.
It’s not so easy anymore to keep on buying and consuming products the way we used to, yet it’s not that hard, either, to make the right switch and exert effort to know a little more about what we’re buying into. There’s no better feeling than seeing a better version of yourself in the mirror and knowing that someone, somewhere, is also reaping the benefits of your choice to take better care of yourself.
