Let’s check in with some sustainable makeup news: what’ve sustainable makeup brands been doing lately and how’s that whole beauty sustainability thing doing.
Here’s the deal: I usually do these roundups for the seasonal, high-end brands (the Holiday one is here) that churn out collections at a frightening pace. At the beginning of 2020 (insert usual joke about ‘one lifetime ago etc. etc.’) I wanted to balance that and feature more sustainable brands, so here’re some sustainable makeup news!
When I do the roundups of the big players in the business, I usually take care that the brands featured are easily available in most places of the world. Same for this one: annoyingly, a lot of sustainable brands are only available locally.
Also, last point before we get to the good stuff: in the unregulated jungle of claims like clean, green, organic and sustainable, I researched the brands below. But in the end, all I can go with are their own claims, and I’d love for the beauty industry to come together and, well, regulate and define those claims.
Madara: Velvet Wear Lipsticks
Latvian brand Madara is not only sustainable, but also incorporates a very scandi aesthetic. Their new Velvet Wear lipsticks (four shades in very earthy tones) are not only cruelty-free, but also vegan and certified organic.
And honestly, matte lipsticks are the way to go in this mask-wearing winter, so yeah. I’m into it!
Kjaer Weis: Liquid Foundation
At the luxe end of sustainable cosmetics there’s Kjaer Weiss who heavily draws on that glowy, natural thing (think French Model chic) that is so not my jam. (It is also not in my price range tbh). Still: I love their refillable packaging, although it’s very likely not geared towards the beauty enthusiast that loves to try out new stuff regularly. That being said, even the eponymous brand for refillable cream compacts is branching out and launching their first liquid foundation. It comes in a stopper glass bottle, and reminds me a lot of Ilia’s Serum Foundation, when it comes to claims:
(… a) serum-like formula that builds from light to medium coverage. Use a little for a fresh-faced, luminous glow, add more for a natural-looking, medium coverage that smoothes, evens and perfects. It’s super-gentle on skin, and has a long-lasting, hydrating, comfortable wear (…).
Kjaer Weis
24 shades isn’t too bad, but there’s an obvious concentration of light to medium shades. Michele Wang’s very detailed and helpful review is here.
Idun Minerals: Pressed Powder Foundation
Stockholm based Idun is famous for their mineral makeup products geared towards sensitive skin. It’s a pharmacy brand, and right now launching a new pressed powder foundation. It’s supposedly mattifying and fixating, coming in a compact made from recycled plastic (here in action): a proper zero waste foundation?!
Mattyfing AND fixating seem to be great things when you’re wearing a mask, and mineral foundation will always minimise the risk of reacting to a foundation. (Only launched in Sweden at the moment.)
It throws a typical problem of the sustainable/green/clean beauty movement into stark focus, though: shade range and inclusivity.
Ilia Beauty: Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint
Oooooh, a very controversial launch! Ilia had a very successful run this year, launching the serum foundation mentioned above that Astrid reviewed and loves. Their new launch, though, is geared towards the major league of beauty: liquid eyeshadows. Hellishly difficult to get right, and even more difficult if you want to formulate without silicones.
Their new line of liquid eyeshadows turn from liquid to powder (eight rather demure, ‘natural’ shades with the potential to look ashy on darker skin) has followers (review in German) and antagonists (in action here). (It gets compared to Kosas’ liquid eyeshadow a lot.) I’m not adverse to silicones, and have crease-prone lids, so I’m rather doubtful about this one.
lilah b.: Holiday Gift Sets
Okay, so: when it comes to packaging, I find lilah b.’s pebble design one of the most appealing around. Their approach is minimalist and high-end, concentrating on having just a few but excellent products. It’s rather similar to Kjaer Weis, actually, without the refillable schtick. Again, that’s not really mine (I love trialling products, obviously), but still, I love their mini holiday gift sets. And I wouldn’t mind trialling them!
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
