Sienna’s Plant-based Nail Polish Is Changing Expectation Of The Beauty Industry

Source: Sienna.co

An age old adage, if someone can do it better, why can't you? Sienna is challenging the traditional ideals of beauty by offering a green and sustainable option. They offer everything from sparkly tones to white nail polish, showing the world that anything their less green counterparts can do, they can do better without compromising their quality.

Sienna isn't just about talking the talk, they are big on walking the walk too. They have an extensive list of certifications that support their values and beliefs. The Leaping Bunny Program has recognized their efforts in making products that are cruelty-free. Created in the 1990s, the Leaping Bunny is a worldwide recognized effort in validating products that are made entirely free from animal cruelty. They have above legal requirements and a very strict code of conduct that manufacturers have to meet in order to be considered for the program. Since their conception, the Leaping Bunny Program has continued to encourage beauty and fashion brands to take the leap to being more environmentally conscious.

Aside from being good for the planet and its inhabitants, Sienna is also halal certified, which means it is free from alcohol and certain animal products. Furthermore, their formulas are wudu, which means that its water permeability is Muslim friendly. Sienna is big on ensuring that they do not exclude anyone from wearing their beautiful colors. The company is not just focused on a small part of the big picture. Simply being clean is not enough, they want to be a representative of what brands should all strive to be: wholesome and inclusive.

Breathable nail polish isn't just for those of Islam faith. While it does help due to the religious rituals that Muslim have to practice, it is also good for the health of our nails. Most nail polishes include the use of toxic ingredients which are not breathable, resulting in dry and brittle nails. That's one of the reasons why some manicurists encourage people who wear nail polish to take a break between applications in order to keep their nails and nail beds healthy. With Sienna, you won't have to do that as their formulas are breathable and water permeable, allowing your nails to be moisturized and breathe. This is highly important, yet not many people are aware of having to give their nails a break from polish.

Sienna's mission to create something that everyone can use without feeling guilt has them sourcing for zero waste materials, with the intention of going waste-free if possible. With the current technology, such ambition remains a dream, but that doesn't mean that they stop trying. On the contrary, Sienna has been using 100% renewable energy when it comes to producing their nail polish and the brand also makes a conscious effort to use recycled materials for their bottles and caps. Obviously, this means that they have an in-house recycling program, but those who chose to recycle independently are also free to do so. Their nail polish caps are made from timber that can be put straight into your compost bin where it will break down naturally.

Aside from removing plastic from their packaging, Sienna is the first nail polish that does not use microplastics in their formula, but rather sourcing natural sources that offer that glittery finish that many love and adore. Being a trailblazer in the eco-friendly beauty industry, they are challenging other beauty brands to rise up and become more accountable for the product that they put out. After all, the power is in their hands, and it is up to beauty brands all over the world to turn away from conventional methods of creating cheap and disposable products with no care given to the world around them. Something has to be done with the throwaway culture that is so rampant around us. When we begin to put more effort into creating products that are kind to our planet which aren't as cheap to produce, we will begin to appreciate what we have, which feeds into a cycle of giving back to the environment.

Sienna also gives back to the community through charitable deeds. The company currently backs Rafiki Mwema, an organization that supports young sex abuse survivors in Kenya by offering financial aid and also moral support to help them through their traumatic experiences. Sienna created a limited Jamii pack which helped raise funds as well as awareness for their plight which enabled them to raise over $3000 AUD for Rafiki Mwema.

Advertising is also something that they have worked to change. Currently, the marketing sector for all beauty products often focus on driving sales regardless of whether it is ethical or not. For instance, nail polish has long depended on the use of "x-free" marketing. Instead of detailing what the nail polish is free from, they simply replace "x" with a specific number and leave it at that. Since nail polish is often filled with harsh chemicals, it is easy to omit a certain number of them in a bid to make them look healthier, but the fact is that unless a formula has been specifically formulated to be harmless, there will be certain compounds in it that can cause harm. Several of these affect pregnant women and children more than others, such as formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), all of which are not present in Sienna's nail polishes.

Sienna is pushing the boundaries of what it means to be an ethical beauty brand and they hope that their efforts continue to influence other brands and consumers into making the cleaner choice. Collectively, manufacturers and consumers together can affect real change and take more responsibility for the state of the world as well as our individual health. When we learn to care for the planet, we will naturally become more conscious about what we consume, which in turn fosters a healthy mindset that allows us to be mindful about our own health and home.