Start 2022 on a high note with these eco-conscious products

Are you trying to improve some areas of your life this year? We’ve all on the same page. Find out some eco-conscious products that will help you reach your goals while helping the environment at the same time.

A new year always feels like a blank slate, packed with new opportunities. After the unusual last two years, we all hope that 2022 will be a better year (seriously, it’s not that hard). So we can have back some of the things and the opportunities we’ve been postponing since the pandemic hit (like visiting friends or giving a hug).

Eating better, working out, learning a new skill, or improving our daily actions are some of the most frequent New Year resolutions there are (feel free to check out mine). That’s why I decided to create a list of sustainable and conscious products that will help you check some items off your list.

Whether you’d like to take better care of yourself or the planet, here are some simple eco-conscious options that will help you achieve your goals.

Health Goals

Feel Better App

Are you trying to have a healthier lifestyle this year? Many of us are on the same page after binge eating and indulging in rich foods throughout the numbers lockdowns (yup, I am also there). But having a healthy lifestyle is way more than having porridge for breakfast and a kale salad for lunch.

While healthy eating is an essential part of the equation, moving our bodies and thinking also play a relevant role in our health.

This app from Deliciously Ella has it all: simple recipes packed with nutrients, workouts, yoga classes, meditation sessions, podcasts… everything you need to create a healthier and mindful lifestyle.

The best part? This app is available for mobile (Android and iOS) and desktop. They have different memberships available: monthly, quarterly, and yearly (the most cost-effective).

Photo credit: Noveme

Noveme Yoga Mat

Whether you’d like to start practicing yoga this year or turn your daily habit into a more sustainable one, Noveme has the perfect mat for you.

Sustainably made with plant-based materials, Noveme’s Natural Yoga Mat is warm and smooth to the touch. Its natural cork upper offers an excellent grip, while the natural rubber base provides stability and cushioning for maximum comfort.

As a yoga practitioner, I’ve always had difficulty keeping my posture as soon as I started to sweat. I’ve never enjoyed the rubbery texture of the standard mats and the experience it provided, no matter how much money I’ve spent on it. 

That’s why I like Noveme’s yoga mat so much. Besides making a significant impact on my daily practice, Noveme’s products are consciously produced in Portugal (where I am originally from), respecting nature’s resources and methods.

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you already know by now that I prefer to have fewer but quality-built items. Investing in pricier pieces that I know I’ll be able to wear for years to come. And that’s precisely the case with this yoga mat.

Feel free to read my exclusive interview with Noveme’s founder.

Eco-friendly sneakers

No matter if you’re into sports or you’re the most couch-potato person on Earth, there’s a 99.9% chance that you have a pair of sneakers in your closet. 

The thing with sneakers is that most aren’t sustainably or ethically made. And no, that doesn’t necessarily change if you spend extra money on it. Unfortunately, most sneaker shoe brands still produce most of their products in developing countries, where most employees work under poor conditions.

Whether you’re a sneaker fan, a sportsperson, or love to mix some kicks with your favorite outfits, we have good news for you: eco-friendly are becoming easy to find these days.

From the well-known VEJA sneakers to ECOALF or Flamingo’s, there’s a lot to choose from. Even Adidas is adding more and more styles to their eco-friendly line, whose sneakers are made with recycled plastic. Just the other day, I saw these for 30 to 50 euros at a mall nearby, which is quite affordable.

Beauty

Youth To The People Skincare Products

I am always looking for skincare products that are consciously made, eco-friendly and reliable at the same time. I know, it’s not always that easy. Sometimes I am lucky to come across a brand (or a particular product) that ticks all the boxes.

By the end of 2021, I had the chance to try Youth To The People’s eye cream. Besides having a natural formula and coming in a sustainable package (glass and recycled paper), it became one of my favorite conscious beauty products in 2021.

I’ve been slowly introducing some of their products into my skincare routine, so far, so good. So, if you’re looking for a sustainable skincare brand that is not only good for you but the planet - look no further. Even though their price range is more on the high-end side, you can easily purchase these using a discount code on Sephora or Cult Beauty.

EcoTools Brushes and Sponges

Are you looking for an eco-friendly take on your makeup tools? EcoTools have everything you need, from vegan and sustainable brushes to interchangeable brushes and biodegradable makeup sponges.

While makeup brushes can last for years (if not decades), if quality-build and adequately taken care of, we cannot tell the same about makeup blenders (aka beauty blenders) - as these need to be replaced every few months.
So, I was pleased when I found out that EcoTools had a more sustainable version of this makeup staple. I gave it a try a couple of months ago, and the experience was just as good (if not better) than the one I had with standard beauty blenders.

The best part? EcoTools products aren’t pricey and are pretty easy to find. From drugstores, like Primor and Druni, to Amazon and LookFantastic.

A reliable sustainable deodorant

This is one of those small steps that can significantly impact your environmental footprint. While most supermarket options are packed with plastic (and other ingredients that are not good for you), eco-conscious deodorants are becoming easier to find.

From eco-friendly and health food stores to beauty stores like Sephora and Cult Beauty, sustainable deodorants are slowly gaining an essential space in the market. The problem? Not all of these are effective and reliable, especially if you tend to sweat a lot (like I do).

As someone who has been using these for a few years now, I’ve done the homework for you. So you don’t have to spend your precious money on expensive deodorants that don’t work at all.

Here are the ones I recommend: Respire, WILD (especially if you live in the UK), and Kutis Skincare.

If you have tried a different brand that is also reliable, feel free to drop me a line.

Fashion

Labienhecha Handbag

Who doesn’t love a beautiful and quality-built handbag? I know I do. After collecting fast-fasting (and low-quality) handbags for years, I decided to drastically reduce the number of bags I own. I am opting for quality (and functionality) instead of quantity.

Instead of spending 20 euros on a handbag just because it was cute and cheap, I’ve started paying attention to the details and its quality.

If you’re looking for a reliable and long-lasting leather bag without blowing the bank - Labienhecha has everything you’ve been looking for.

All leather goods are handmade by women in Málaga (Spain), using recycled leather. Also, their products are always consciously shipped - without using any plastic.

I had the chance to buy one of their handbags about a year ago. I am delighted with its quality and all the values that it embodies.

Longchamp Le Pliage 

Last year Longchamp decided to create a more eco-friendly version of its most iconic bag. I am talking about Le Pliage.

It’s so iconic and timeless that I am pretty sure you’ve already seen someone wearing one wherever you are. Why? Besides its classic design, Le Pliage is a versatile and lightweight handbag that you can easily fold if you need it (hence the name). Perfect for when you’re traveling or running errands around town. I have one in the size S, and it fits an insane amount of stuff.

Given its affordable price (the size S retails for 85€) and timeless design, this is the first designer bag they invest in for many women.

So, I was pretty pleased when I heard about their Le Pliage’s Green line made with recycled polyamide canvas. Also, each model from this eco-conscious line costs just 10€ more than its standard version - which is nothing, given the positive impact that it will have on the planet.

Remember, this is a bag you can wear every day on multiple occasions and for years to come. It’s one of those investment pieces, given its durability and timeless design.

Recycled Garments

Clothing pieces made with recycled materials are becoming easier and easier to find these days. From eco-labels to fast fashion chains, brands love to brag about what they’re doing towards saving the environment.

While natural materials (like organic cotton) are still better than synthetic ones, I love to see lovely pieces created out of something that already existed and could have ended up in the landfill.

ECOALF, Pangaia, Mango, & Other Stories, and H&M are some of the brands where you can easily find garments created out of recycled materials (like plastic bottles). Even Decathlon has been making some of their lines more eco-conscious for a few years now.

Yes, I am aware of the greenwashing. However, it’s still preferable to purchase one of these (made with recycled materials), then a standard piece of clothing (made with non-recycled resources)at the very same store - given that both were produced under the same conditions.

What would be the best solution of all? Not buying anything or buying pre-loved items, instead. Another option would be to invest in high-quality pieces built to last, so you don’t have to “throw” these and get new ones every year.