TikTok Beauty Trends That Are Actually Sustainable
Besma Whayeb, Author of Sustainable Fashion & Lifestyle Blog CuriouslyConscious.com
@besmacc
It’s 2023, and if you aren’t getting your beauty inspo from TikTok by now, you may well be living under a rock. The short-form content platform has become home to beauty bloggers, vloggers, and influencers, who have taken over the platform with skincare hacks, GRWMs, and even beauty filters. However, in and amongst these videos are hidden sustainable beauty tips and tricks. Here’s a few to get you started:
Rosemary Hair Oil
If you’re using TikTok, you’ve probably been served at least one video promoting Rosemary Hair Oil. While this hair treatment is a trending product on TikTok shop – and is therefore being served to everyone and their cat – did you know that rosemary hair oil is actually an age-old sustainable beauty treatment for hair loss?
According to The Belgravia Centre, “when applied to the scalp, rosemary oil also increases blood circulation”, which in turn stimulates hair follicles. It’s even been backed in scientific papers and haircare experts.
Rosemary Hair Oil is as simple as it is sustainable – you can make it with a blend of homegrown rosemary, vitamin E oil, and a carrier oil. Just make sure to check the ratios if you make it yourself, and check all the ingredients if you’re going to buy it online.
Golden Ratio Eyebrows
One of the best beauty innovations on TikTok has to be the beauty filters. Instead of dog ears and a sticky-out tongue, you can use filters to help better contour your face, or learn how to better draw on your eyebrows using @gracemchoi’s filter.
While this one doesn’t include specific products, it can help you save £££ on expensive salon treatments and wasted products!
@gracemchoi New filter to help you draw your perfect #goldenratio #eyebrows ! ✍🏻🤨——————————— #brows #eyebrowtutorial #eyebrowchallenge #eyebrow ♬ original sound - gracemchoi
Trending Ingredient: Retinol
If there’s one trending beauty ingredient right now, it has to be retinol. Lesley @freshlengths shared a great way to get started using Khiel’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Microdose Serum, and even better, when empty you can return and recycle it at any Khiel’s store in return for loyalty points.
@freshlengths ad. The @Kiehlsuki Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum is the easiest retinol to add into your skincare routine as it’s super gentle and works for all skin types. My skin gets dark marks easily and retinol is great for an even tone and refined skin texture. As my skin can be really sensitive too I can only usually use very gentle products. I love that I can use this nightly without any irritation or dryness, just remember to follow up with SPF during the day 🌞 #KIEHLSRETINOL ♬ original sound - freshlengths
Celebrity Skin
One of my personal favourite TikTok beauty trends has to be the Celebrity Skin hack that debuted summer 2022. It revolutionised my makeup routine! Simply pair e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer with Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter and blend together with a damp Beauty Blender for instantly glowy skin. The sustainable part? Both e.l.f. and Charlotte Tilbury are fully cruelty-free!
Self Acceptance
TikTok has refreshed social media with more “authentic” content, and in the beauty world, that means self acceptance. From @rikkisandhuu’s uplifting look at her “flaws”, to @miahhcarter’s openness about her skin condition, seeing real people share their real selves online can give us a better perspective on our own natural beauty.
@rikkisandhuu filmed this a while ago but BE KIND always 💕✨ #skincareroutine #beautyhacks #girltalk101 #foryou ♬ Payphone - Acoustic Instrumental - Guus Dielissen
No Makeup Makeup for Men
On a similar note, TikTok has normalised makeup for men, and all genders for that matter. And I don’t just mean glitter-drenched styles that used to pop off on YouTube… Now, no-makeup makeup is being catered to men. Check out @hindash for more inspiration!
@hindash My Undetectable Boy Beat. Part II with @drewneros 💗👨🏻 Using my Hindash Monochromance Palette + My ‘Rest In Roses’ Matte Tinted Balm. #Hindash #makeup #mensmakeup #makeuptutorial #tutorial #fyp #foryoupage #boy ♬ original sound - Hindash
Miswak Stick
The latest trend I’ve seen on TikTok has to be the miswak stick – and funnily enough, I tried one back in 2016! These traditional teeth-cleaning twigs hail from Muslim-inhabited countries, where the miswak makes up part of the five daily prayers. While it’s definitely an acquired taste, it does offer a more natural alternative to plastic toothbrushes and paste! If you’re looking for more sustainable beauty tips on TikTok, check out my favourite MUA, @tahira_makeup, and follow us @sustainablyinfluenced.
@shaaban_ Lowkey a vibe #miswak ♬ original sound - Shaaban