In a world overflowing with choices, our consumer decisions have the power to shape not only our personal lives but also our society and planet. It is easy to forget that when we open our wallets, we're not just making purchases, we are casting votes for the kind of world we want to live in. So, I urge you, before you spend your hard-earned money on something because it is the new trend and you “just have to have it” do some research.
It is no secret that we at Rhelm love & support the beauty in fashion industries, but they have long been notorious for their less-than-stellar track record when it comes to being eco-friendly, cruelty-free, or supportive of fair-trade practices. These industries often prioritize profit margins over sustainable sourcing and ethical production. However, there's a growing movement towards change, and we are here for it! This is why at Rhelm, we are thoughtful about the brands we showcase on our website. Let's talk about why we love these brands and how they are driving positive change.
Eco-Friendly
Concerns about the Earth are escalating, so it's crucial to throw our support behind brands that not only talk the talk but also walk the walk when it comes to environmental friendliness. Such brands go above and beyond to minimize their ecological footprint and implement sustainable practices and eco-conscious initiatives. By choosing to support these environmentally responsible brands, we have a hand in ensuring a future for this planet.
Bask Sunscreen: Bask is Hawaii Reef Friendly and compliant with Act 104 which banned the use of oxybenzone and octinoxate. Bask also has a longer shelf life than most sunscreens.
Natura Bissé: When selecting raw materials Natura Bissé takes into account the place of origin, extraction process and end of life with the aim of reducing the environmental impact in a holistic way. They are also incorporating recycled plastic into their plastic packaging and reducing superfluous packaging elements.
Panier Des Sens: 20 years ago, PDS became actively committed in promoting natural beauty and eco-designed products. Today, it is inspired, imagined, manufactured and packaged in France using short circuits whenever possible ensuring enhanced traceability.
Gunas: Gunas has a whole slew of sustainability practices from manufacturing to shipping.
Melie Bianco: To remain eco-friendly, Melie Bianco use a material called PU (Polyurethane), which is crafted using natural materials to have the look and feel of real leather without the harmful side effects of cheap plastic materials like PVC.
Fair Trade/Ethical Production
With companies like Shein making headlines for their poor treatment of workers, it is apparent there is an increased interest in fair trade goods and businesses.
Gunas: MWBE Certified What initially began as an all MADE IN NYC label, has now gone global to source and manufacture bags and shoes using artisan and small-scale ethical manufacturers (meaning sweatshop free) from countries such as India, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil and Hong Kong.
Melie Bianco: Melie Bianco products are made in China, but don't be alarmed, they operate under a Profit-Sharing Model, which is sweatshop free. But, what does that mean? As Melie Bianco grows, their vendors grow with them.
Cruelty-Free/Vegan
At Rhelm, our skincare brands uphold a cruelty-free standard, guaranteeing that no animal is ever subjected to testing. Furthermore, our fashion collection proudly features two handbag brands that are not only vegan but also committed to an animal-friendly approach, allowing you to shop with a conscience.
Bask: Leaping Bunny certified - Leaping Bunny (also known as Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics or CCIC) is a collective of animal rights and animal protection groups that banded together to create an international standard for consumers to identify which products truly are cruelty free.
Oribe: member of Beauty Without Bunnies Program created by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
Panier Des Sens: plant- and mineral-origin ingredients, as well as formulas are never tested on animals, pursuant to European cosmetic regulations. All ranges are vegan friendly except the Honey collection that contains ingredients from beehives.
Yonka: According to Yonka’s official website, the brand has a set of morals that strictly prohibits experimenting on animals at any stage of production.
Gunas: Sugandh quit her 7-year corporate career to start her own brand of cruelty-free fashion in New York. Her mission is strong and clear. Animals are NOT meant to be a part of fashion. We can look and feel good without harming other living beings.
Melie Bianco: Melie Bianco had the honor of being featured in Vogue UK; winning a covetable PETA UK Vegan Fashion Award for 'Best Animal-Friendly Accessories'.
Save the Girls: Purses & accessories are made with vegan leather.
Philanthropy
Bask: 10% skin cancer Skin Protection Foundation - Bask was started because of the founders' direct experience losing a family member to skin cancer. Ending skin cancer is at the core of everything we do, and it doesn't stop after a Basker buys sunscreen. Every purchase then generates a 10% monetary donation and a product donation of 1 bottle of Bask to the Skin Protection Foundation (SPF). SPF is the only organization in the world that is fighting skin cancer on the front lines by giving sunscreen away to people while in the sun. You can learn more about SPF on their website.
Gunas: Animal, human & environmental welfare is the heart of the Gunas brand. Here are some animal welfare groups and sanctuaries they support https://www.gunasthebrand.com/pages/we-give-back
Save the Girls: As a part of the Mission of Save the Girls, they donate 10% of profit to Breast Cancer Research.