Sustainable beauty lifestyle? You know what that means: Re-use, reduce, and recycle. Somewhere between reduce and recycle for me, as a die-hard makeup junkie, comes replacing responsibly. And that means making responsible makeup purchases. So here’s what products and brands I’d look into if I my staples would be empty tomorrow and I had to replace them immediately with sustainable beauty staples. (Including brands and where to find them!)
Start a sustainable beauty life!
Nobody (I hope) thinks it’s a great idea to throw out your Natasha Denona palettes and replace them with Aether or Zao ones. No: a sustainable beauty lifestyle means using that ND palette (hopefully with joy) and when it’s empty, replacing it responsibly.
Because I don’t see myself finishing a friggin’ eyeshadow palette in my lifetime, here’s what I want to do instead:
Replace makeup items that I finish and regularly rebuy with sustainable options.
For me, products I regularly finish and rebuy are lipgloss/lipbalm, setting powder, eye primer and mascara.
What does sustainable mean?
Sustainable in this context means that outer packaging (tubes, tubs, pots) is easily recyclable and the product itself is sourced sustainably. That’s actually the reason that multi-billion cosmetics company L’Oreal fares rather well when it comes to sustainability scores:
The company has committed to zero de-forestation in 2020 (rather important right now – looking to the Brazilian rainforest), uses only sustainably sourced palm oil and is reducing carbon emission drastically (more here and here). It’s also the reason that I don’t have a bad conscience when I reach for my L’Oreal mascaras, which are still a firm favourite of mine.
Looking for sustainable beauty staples
Replacing lipgloss/lipbalm
What I’m using right now: MAC lipglasses/Korres and Nuxe lipbalms
My staples aren’t actually too bad – MAC has their own recycling program, but doesn’t say anything about sustainable ingredients. On the other end of the spectrum, both Nuxe and Korres have a somewhat sustainable approach to farming sustainable ingredients, but not much else.
If I were to buy new lipbalms, right now I would look into budget drugstore brand Catrice’s new Clean ID line which includes a balm with paper packaging and natural ‘clean’ ingredients. Another option from the drugstore is Kneipp’s Lippenpflege, whose outer packaging made from paper and cork won awards.
rms beauty or Lush would also be obvious choices, but I’m always grossed out by lip products in pots. Ugh!
If I’d be in a market for a new lipgloss, I’d very likely go for either an Ilia balm (Astrid loves them!), or an Elate lipgloss which seems both fun and neutral. If I’d really feel the need to splurge, I even might be tempted by Und Gretel gloss, but 35€ miiiiiiiiiiight not be the price-point I’m looking for in a gloss.
Replacing setting powder
What I’m using right now: Nars Translucent Setting Powder (loose)
Nars doesn’t really have a great sustainability score, so when my pot is empty, I’ll go a-swatchin’. Lush has, to my surprise, a setting powder. They’re famous for their recycling programs and dedication to ethically sourced ingredients, and are also readily available: Win! My other option would be Alima Pure’s Radiant Setting Powder. Alima Pure landed on my radar while I was searching for a new Mineral Foundation, and I like their approach to sustainability.
Replacing eye primer
What I’m using right now: Nars eye primer
Whoo boy. I thought this would be a tricky one, but even drugstore eco brands like Lavera and Sante offer eye primers (I’d be tempted!), and if you’d like to try higher-end brands, Ilia has one as well, as has Alima Pure.
Replacing mascara
What I’m using right now: Various L’Oreal ones
I’m not unhappy with using a L’Oreal product (see above), but of course, I’m always curious about possibly better options. Super-luxe eco-friendly brand Kjaer Weis has a refillable mascara (how great is that!), Ilia and rms offer more regular looking ones, and Und Gretel has one in brown, if you want a natural look. On the other end of the spectrum, I’m super intrigued by Lush’s version that comes in a recycable glass tube and Elate’s in bamboo packaging.
Finding sustainable beauty staples
I know, I know: if you own makeup staples, it’s hard to stray from them, because they just work. I hope, though, I’ve been giving you some inspiration what brands and products might be worthwhile to try out and replace your regular staples with. Let’s find some new Holy Grails! I hope you share your finds here and let all of us know.
Extra thoughts about the eye primer, because I also love my NARS eye primer :/ . Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer would be a good replacement option too, as it is owned by L’Oreal (same sustainable policy). Note: I’m always skeptical about the pure natural brands for makeup (with Ilia & Kjaer Weis as a notable exception)… I’ll wait for a good review first!
KIKO’s new Green Me collection looks interesting too.