Just How Green Is the Lash Industry?

Beyond the Surface: How Revamping Our Packaging is Part of London Lash’s Commitment to Sustainability

We all know the beauty industry can be a bit of a plastic party, but here at London Lash, we’re all about switching up the game and going green. Yep, sustainability is a big deal for us, and we’re making it a huge part of what we do.

Did you know the beauty industry churns out a whopping 146 million tonnes of plastic waste every year? We’re on a mission to cut down that number by making some serious changes to our packaging and shipping practices.

Cruelty-Free & Vegan Vibes

Back in the day, eyelash extensions were made from mink fur or silk, but now? We’re all about that synthetic PBT fiber, which is tough and keeps those lashes looking fabulous. Even though you might still hear terms like ‘mink’ or ‘silk’ when talking about lash extensions, it’s just to help you pick the right look. Rest assured, all our lashes are 100% vegan and cruelty-free!

Some beauty products, like under-eye pads, used to have animal-derived collagen. We’ve ditched those and worked with developers to come up with vegan-friendly alternatives that still give you that high-quality finish for your classic lashes and volume eyelash appointments.

Eco-Friendly Packaging & Product Changes

We kicked off our eco journey back in 2018 by swapping plastic trays for cardboard ones—talk about trendsetting! A lot of other lash companies followed suit, which is awesome. But, we hit a snag: our original trays had magnets and UV spots that weren’t recyclable everywhere. So, we revamped our packaging to a matchbox style that’s fully recyclable!

We’ve also traded plastic bottles for glass ones—because who doesn’t love a touch of class on their lash trolley? Plus, we’ve introduced reusable brush handles made from stainless steel. Only the brush heads need replacing, which cuts plastic waste by about 80%.

Oh, and our lash trays used to come in plastic wrap. It was important for protection, but not so great for the planet. We’ve found a plant-based, compostable alternative, so now when you order your lash extension kit, it’s all eco-friendly!

Smart Procurement = Less Waste

Our Procurement Team are like the superheroes of waste reduction. Instead of buying in bulk and risking excess stock going to waste, we place smaller, more precise orders. This way, we minimize waste and ensure you’re getting the freshest products for your clients, whether it’s glue for your classic eyelash extensions, or lash prep for mega volume lash extensions.

Sometimes, products like eyelash tweezers or extension kits don’t have a shelf life like our lash glue does. When that’s the case, we add them to our outlet store so beginners and bargain hunters can grab them at great prices, instead of sending them to a landfill.

Beyond Products: Our Green Shipping Efforts

Our Operations Team is also on the green team! We use cardboard boxes, paper envelopes, and biodegradable mailer bags for shipping. Bubble wrap is out, and paper is in. Our packing peanuts are made from starch and dissolve in water. Cool, right?

We’ve opened distribution centers in the EU and USA to cut down on shipping times and reduce our carbon footprint. Plus, we’re proud that our shipping is carbon-neutral—our Shopify App tracks CO2 emissions, and we make monthly donations to offset them.

What’s Next?

Sustainability is a never-ending journey. There’s always room for improvement and new ways to make things better. We’re pumped to keep pushing boundaries and making eco-friendly changes, with a team and customer base that are totally on board.

Thanks for being part of this green revolution with us. Let’s keep making those lashes pop with every classic lash extension, hybrid eyelash extension, and cat eye lashes, while keeping our planet happy!