An Interview with Kath of EcoStarDust

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An Interview with Kath of EcoStarDust

I don’t know about you but I love music festivals and am excited to attend my first one post Covid in just a few days. One of the things I love most about festivals is getting myself covered in glitter and shining for the day! However I am sure you were as shocked and upset to find out that glitter is just tiny pieces of plastic. When I learnt this years ago I quickly searched for environmentally friendly alternatives and this is when I discovered EcoStarDust. Since then I have still had my festival glitter on but now its in an environmentally friendly and biodegradable way! So it gives me great pleasure to introduce this interview with Kath Senior, founder of EcoStarDust.

Enjoy!

Vic x

TELL US ABOUT HOW YOU STARTED ECOSTARDUST

In 2016 a friend and I were throwing a Hollywood Glitter & Glamour themed Birthday party. It was my job to order in the decorations so I ordered in big kilo bags of gold glitter. When it arrived it had a large ingredients label saying ‘Ingredients: Polyester’ and it dawned on me that glitter was a microplastic, as someone who cares about the environment, it took the shine out of it for me and I never used it again.

As someone who loves going to festivals, dressing up and covering themselves in glitter, I wasn’t ready to give it up and went on a search to find an alternative. I couldn’t find anything so I realised there was a gap in the market for an eco version. So I launched EcoStardust in April 2017. In August I was contacted by ASOS and launched on their website December 2017. Business Insider then did a video about us which had over 5million views and things just blew up from there!

WHAT MAKES ECOSTARDUST SO UNIQUE?

We are an eco glitter business trying to make a difference to the world. We donate 10% of profits to environmental charities. Package everything in sustainable packaging and are trying to be an example to other business of how business can be done without damaging our planet.

WHAT DOES AN AVERAGE DAY RUNNING ECOSTARDUST LOOK LIKE?

First thing we always do if pick and pack any orders to get the ready to be shipped. We have been having regular team meetings lately as we are working on expanding into the USA so this is something we are squirrelling away on behind the scenes. We also respond to any customer or stockist enquiries or set up new trade accounts.

WHAT ECOSTARDUST PRODUCT MAKES YOU MOST PROUD?

I am so proud of our Non-Bioglitter Amnesty – people can send us their plastic based glitter and we will upcycle it to keep it out of the natural environment. In return we send them a discount code to use on our website to replace their collection with eco glitter.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR DAILY BEAUTY ROUTINE

I used to suffer really badly acne up until a couple of years ago and I now try to keep everything very minimal in my routine.

Am – light moisturiser, Tinted SPF 50 and mascara.

PM – cleanse and moisturise. Maybe some azelaic acid if I feel my skin needs it.

ITEM OF MAKEUP THAT YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT

Ecostardust Bioglitter Obvs! But also mascara

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

I have an 18 month old boy called Ted so I don’t have a lot of spare time. However I love gardening, being crafty (I am trying to knit Ted a jumper) reading and walking. We have recently moved to a village and I just love walking through the local fields and countryside with Ted.

IF YOU COULD VISIT ONE PLACE ON EARTH WHERE WOULD YOU GO?

Iceland! It is such a green and beautiful country and is so sparsely populated. I would love to visit there.

FAVOURITE FOOD?

This is a tough one as I love lots of food! However, I couldn’t live without chocolate.

WHAT SONG DO YOU LISTEN TO THAT ALWAYS CHEERS YOU UP?

Ooh another tough one – there are so many! However recently it would have to be Taba Naba Style! By the Wiggles and Chrstine Anu. Reminds me of my boy and dancing with him plus it feels like a super summery song and makes me think of being in warmer climates.

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE THREE DREAM DINNER DATES WOULD THEY BE?

Might be a strange one but Jeff Bezos – He has the power and money to change the world and make it a better place but chooses not to do any humanitarian work? (that I am aware of!) I’d love to know what his end goal is and try to persuade him to donate more of his income to charity or eradicating diseases in third world countries.

Meghan Markle – I think it’s disgusting how our media treated her and I can’t blame her and Harry for wanting to move away from the UK because of it. I think she is an inspiring hard woman doing a lot of good in the world and would love to chat with her.

Robin Williams – if I can chose someone who is deceased? I loved his films growing up and he just seems like the most genuine and lovely person. He could bring the laughter to our dinner party.

WHAT ALWAYS BRINGS A SMILE TO YOUR FACE

Playing with my son, happy reviews from customers, every time as a business we eliminate another bit of waste from our processes or are able to launch a new product which is even more sustainable and planet friendly.

IF YOU WERE A SUPERHERO WHAT POWERS WOULD YOU HAVE?

Ability to turn plastic into a safe and organic material and save the world from plastic pollution!

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT?

Any of the awards the team has won, especially my award for being awarded Bristol’s Environmental Hero and One to Watch 2020.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR ECOSTARDUST?

Would love to extend our product line and reach into new markets overseas and keep removing any plastics from our processes (there are very few now) while having a fun time and making the best work environment possible for my amazing team.

You can find our full range of EcoStarDust products by clicking here.