Research shows that 88% of modern consumers want brands to help them make a difference. The beauty industry, and fast beauty in particular, is one where the importance of ethical practices carries greater importance than ever before.
Can fast beauty satisfy the demand for sustainability and how can primary packaging solutions feed into this issue? Let’s find out.
Conceptually speaking, fast beauty borrows several key attributes from the idea of fast fashion. It prioritises staying on top of the latest trends, primarily by reducing its turnaround times to streamline the journey from product inspiration to launch.
The key to successful fast beauty is that companies won’t invest vast amounts of time into developing and optimising products. Instead, they focus on building agile business plans that capitalise on the latest trends. With the global beauty industry market size standing at £395.7 billion, it’s no surprise that fast beauty is on the rise as brands look to secure quick but steady profits.
Anyone that follows fast fashion will know that the industry has come under a lot of scrutiny in recent years and seen many consumers actively hunt for more sustainable brands. Fast fashion has often been bumped, somewhat unfairly, into the same category.
The beauty industry as a whole is guilty of causing emissions. Notably, it is the number one culprit for plastic waste, producing 120 billion units each year. However, contrary to popular opinion, fast beauty brands are not commonly guilty of producing goods in excess. While fast fashion leads to huge volumes of unsold inventory, fast beauty companies can survive with a far lighter inventory that is far closer to an ‘on demand’ business model
In terms of product quantities, then, it is possible for fast beauty brands to remain sustainable. In fact, they can match the sustainability of luxury fashion brands. Nevertheless, they do face obstacles in the bid to maintain ethical behaviours and satisfy an increasingly socially conscious audience.
While formulating products without causing waste hasn’t been a major challenge for the best fast beauty brands, obstacles surrounding plastic waste have been a far bigger issue. Not least when dealing with primary packaging.
Primary packaging, which is the packaging that comes into contact with the product itself, has traditionally included a lot of single-use plastic pots. It is a problem that existed long before fast beauty and, as reported by Fashionista, Newberry's Be For Beauty co-founder Mark Curry explained: "Sustainability is a total beauty industry issue, and in theory by being able to move fast, we will be able to get to new routes around sustainability quicker."
Several beauty brands have taken positive steps to encourage reduced carbon emissions. The Body Shop, for example, introduced the concept of getting customers to bring pots into the store to have their products refilled. Smart moves like this don’t only make a difference in the bid for sustainability - they additionally give consumers another reason to buy into the company.
Another very effective solution, however, is to tap into the benefits of single-dose sachets. In addition to setting a great first impression, this type of primary packaging opens the door to managing volumes and embracing the on demand business model. Moreover, consumers are unlikely to be left with beauty products that they won’t use.
While there are several single-dose primary packaging solutions on the market, Snappd brings the added benefit of delivering the most eco-friendly solution on the market. As well as a compact design, the sachets are made from innovative 100% recyclable materials. When coupled with the fact that they are manufactured exclusively in the UK, fast beauty brands can act with confidence.
With just one primary packaging solution, it is possible to manage light inventory loads, reduce CO2 emissions caused by transporting the goods. Crucially, the brand will no longer add to the plastic waste production that signals the biggest problem for the industry. Therefore, the benefits for the company include;
The packaging is often the first thing that customers interact with, which means it’ll have a telling impact on their experiences of a brand. By choosing an eye-catching and eco-friendly solution, fast beauty brands have an even stronger chance of capitalising on the latest trends.
If fast beauty brands are to prove their sustainability, primary packaging solutions like Snappd should be at the heart of their efforts. However, the endeavours cannot end there, especially if the ethical nature is to become a key feature of the brand.
Several aspects of a fast beauty business venture can be improved to make the brand more sustainable. Given that 64% of consumers still find it difficult to find and purchase sustainable beauty products, companies that get it right are set to see stunning results.
Some of the most effective steps for building a sustainable fast beauty brand include but are not limited to;
Of course, ethical companies must also look to formulate organic and cruelty-free beauty products. Even consumers that are not vegan in other aspects of their life will appreciate the benefits of using natural skin products. It can subsequently become a huge part of the overall brand personality.
Fast beauty can be ethical, but only if companies make the right primary packaging choices. Snappd’s 100% recyclable single-dose sachets are the perfect choice for a wide range of products. When fast beauty brands set the tone, traditional names in the cosmetics industry will follow suit.
