Spotlight on Eugénie - From consumer to skincare routine devotee!
Welcome to a new "Light" article! We invite you to discover Eugénie's journey. A former heavy consumer and big spender, she quickly realized that cosmetics had a huge impact—and not just on her skin! So, how do you deeply change your way of consuming by putting your priorities and your ethics at the forefront? It’s a long-term endeavor, but one that is well worth undertaking. We really resonated with this story: welcome to this moment of sharing.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Eugénie, I'm 28 years old. I used to work in hospitality. It’s a rather stressful job, very fast-paced, with a lack of sleep. Right now, I’ve changed paths and have gone back to school for communication and marketing.
I wanted to share my story for La Canopée because it’s a brand I love. We always speak up when things go wrong, but we never say enough when they go well. So, today, if I can offer a positive testimonial, it’s with pleasure.
What is your general history with cosmetics?
I have always been quite a spender—actually, I think I still am, but much less than before! I always spent a lot on cosmetics, whether it was skincare or makeup. I have always loved that.
I have always tried to take care of myself to disconnect, which I don’t always have time to do. My routines are the only moments I have just for myself. It does me a world of good.
As a result, I was always looking up a lot of information; I constantly wanted to test different things. And yet, I had skin issues.
Little by little, I realized that I wasn’t really listening to my skin or my body. I was leaning more towards new trendy products or big brands.
I ended up with skin that I didn't find pretty: visible pores, pimples, hormonal acne, etc.
That gave me even more trouble!
That’s when the turning point happened…
One time, it was one too many: I bought a foundation from a major French brand... A product that still cost over €50.
And I saw red patches appear on my skin. When taking off my makeup, I had sensitive skin that felt tight and granular. It was an allergic reaction.
This reaction made me realize the reality of my habits… I was putting very bad things on my skin on a daily basis. I had to look for things that suited me better.
I started an enormous research phase on social media, reading testimonials on forums, on YouTube, etc.
I moved toward a biological and natural ethic. It resonated very strongly with me, and I told myself that I wanted to change, even as the person I was. My way of spending, among other things.
I established priority points regarding my skin, in particular. In terms of makeup, I’m not yet 100% natural; I use the Yuka app a lot to guide me a bit better in my purchases. With the job I have, my makeup needs to last all day without touch-ups.
However, for skincare, I wanted to change everything. No more using cotton pads to remove my makeup, moving toward a zero-waste approach. I used jojoba oil to remove my makeup.
I cleaned my skin with a konjac sponge, then I slowly introduced serums and lotions as I went along.
How did you discover La Canopée?
A friend told me about the brand when I told her about my research. With the allergies I had experienced, it was a long road to find brands that suited me. My research finally bore fruit after two years.
I wanted products that suited my skin, whose packaging could be recyclable and made in France. The vegan argument was also an additional criterion.
La Canopée met all these criteria: today, 80% of my morning and evening routines are composed of products from the brand.
My skin has never had an allergic reaction again and has even started to improve visibly. This gave me back my self-confidence. Before, I could never go out without wearing makeup.
I felt like I was suffering from that social pressure, according to which one must always be perfect. I had trouble accepting my acne scars. Social media doesn't help in that regard, either…
Today, I can go out without makeup. I still have some marks, but nothing comparable. My friends and family saw it and even asked me what my secret was! So, I ended up becoming an ambassador for the brand!
Would you say you succeeded in changing as a person, then?
Yes. I think we can have several lives in one! I really love the fact that the brand doesn't do sales in the strict sense. I know, it might seem contradictory... But since I was a heavy consumer before, I ended up with such a quantity of products at home…
Enough to feel guilty! I ended up giving a lot of things away. When you think that some people don't have enough to eat and I had all that sitting idle in my cupboards! Some products had been expired for months…
I am proud of myself because this process was long, but it had impacts on all aspects of my life. I took care of myself, I improved my way of living, I have fewer acne problems. I feel like I’ve regained some stability.
I can no longer see myself living any other way now. And I feel very comfortable spending my money on La Canopée products. Because I know they are good products, a good approach, a good brand, and beautiful people behind it.
What is your flagship La Canopée product in your skincare routine?
I started with the black jelly cleanser because I was looking for a cleanser. I saw that the skin diagnostic was available, so I did it afterward. In the meantime, I learned to know my skin, to see how it reacted.
I therefore adapted my routine a little according to my needs. There are things I needed at one point and have put aside since.
My flagship product, I would say, is the fruit acid mask. It’s hard to choose just one because I really love all the products. But the mask, for its part, I find it has a crazy effect! It is gentle, it smells good, it leaves the skin very soft.
It’s a product you can’t find anywhere else, in my opinion.
A final word?
If you don’t feel well, don’t feel beautiful, if you are always comparing yourself, if you’d like to have a new approach to yourself…
Natural cosmetics are a good approach, in my opinion. Not just for our body, but also for our mental health. You feel better in your skin, but also in the process: putting your money into a brand that is worthy, into products that work, into an ethic that matches your values.
Today, we can no longer close our eyes to overconsumption and its effects on the planet. Everyone does what they can in their own way, but this approach is one that does good on every level.
It isn't easy or fast; you have to give yourself time and let nature have the time to do its work. But it is really worth it!
Above all, it is never too late to change and to move things forward.
