Can the Lash Industry Ever Be Truly Sustainable?

The Impact of Our Packaging: How Switching Up Our Packaging is Just One Part of London Lash’s Bigger Green Mission

Here at London Lash, we’re all about making a positive impact on the environment. We know the beauty industry has a huge footprint, so we’re taking big steps to make a difference. Did you know that the beauty industry is responsible for a whopping 146 million tonnes of plastic waste each year? Yikes! That’s why we’ve been working hard to improve our packaging, product offering, and shipping practices to bring you the best lash extensions without wreaking havoc on the planet!

Cruelty-Free & Vegan-Friendly

Lash extensions have come a long way since the early 2010s. Back then, mink and silk were all the rage. Now, we use PBT, a tough synthetic fiber also used in wiring. It helps our lashes, from M curl lashes to mega volume lashes, keep their curl and look fab!

You might still see terms like ‘mink,’ ‘silk,’ or ‘cashmere’ around, but don’t worry—these are just labels to describe different collections. All our lashes are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. 

We’ve also removed any products with animal-derived ingredients, like collagen in under-eye pads and eyepatches. We’ve either stopped stocking those items or found plant-based alternatives so you can keep getting top-quality results while being kind to animals and the environment.

Changes in Product Development & Packaging

We’ve been on a green mission since 2018. We started by swapping out plastic trays for cardboard boxes for our lashes—pretty cool, right? Since then, more brands have followed suit. But we didn’t stop there. We learned that our old magnetized trays with UV spots weren’t recyclable everywhere, so we came up with new, fully recyclable matchbox-style packaging.

We’ve also replaced plastic bottles with glass ones where we can, which not only helps the environment but also looks super sleek on your trolley. Plus, our new reusable brush handles (made from stainless steel) cut down plastic waste by about 80% compared to disposable brushes.

Because we care about every detail, our Lash Cleanser, Lash Primer, Booster and Superbonder all come in eco-friendly glass packaging too!

Smart Procurement Practices

Our Procurement Team is all about ordering just the right amount. Sometimes, buying in bulk is cheaper, but we prefer to avoid overstocking and waste. By tracking sales trends and product shelf lives, we only order what we need. This is great for us, you, and Mother Earth. This means we’re always stocked with the freshest lash extension supplies, whether it’s your go-to lash extension glue, or your favorite lash prep products.

Items like tweezers and lash extensions that don’t have a shelf life but are being discontinued, are moved to our outlet at lower prices. This way, beginners and bargain hunters can grab them, and we keep stuff out of landfills.

Ongoing Green Efforts

Our Operations Team is doing amazing work to reduce our carbon footprint. We use cardboard boxes, paper envelopes, and biodegradable mailer bags for packing. We’ve replaced bubble wrap with paper alternatives, and our packing peanuts dissolve in water!

We’ve also opened distribution centers in the EU and mainland USA, so your parcels travel shorter distances and arrive faster—no more long-haul flights! Plus, we’ve started using a Shopify App that tracks CO2 emissions from each parcel and funds projects to remove CO2 from the air. We’re super proud to say our shipping is carbon neutral!

What’s Next?

Sustainability is an ongoing journey. There’s always more we can do and new ways to improve. We’re lucky to have a dedicated team and a community that’s open to change, and we’re excited to see where the future takes us!