Sustainable Makeup Brands
Week 24
This week I took a good look at my beauty routine and its environmental impact. After taking a look at my makeup drawer, I realized just how much plastic waste I've produced over the last twenty years. As I use up the last of my conventional makeup, it's time to find a low-waste, eco-friendly replacement. Here are ten sustainable brands I've found that offer environmentally friendly packaging and natural ingredients.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Axiology
What they offer: 3-in-1 Crayons that can be used on lips, cheeks, and eyes.
Price: One balmie starts at $14, 3 balmies for $36 ($6 savings), or 14 for $96 ($100 savings).
Axiology has been featured in Elle, Vogue, Oprah, and InStyle for a good reason. These balmies aren't your average product; they come in 14 colors and can be used as hydrating lip balm, blush, or eye shadow. The best part is that they come in thin compostable paper wrap, making them the lowest waste product on this list. These balmies are also vegan, cruelty-free, and made using all-natural ingredients.
River Organics
What they offer: Everything
Price: $10-$18 for single products
River Organics is a rare find in the cosmetics world in that practically all of their products come in biodegradable paper packaging. They even offer a plastic-free mascara cake that can be applied with a reusable wand. River Organics products are non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free.
Use code TINYWASTE for 15% off your purchase!
Elate Cosmetics
What they offer: Everything
Price: Refill inserts start at $15
Elate Cosmetics carries everything you need for a sustainable makeup overhaul. They've done away with the majority of plastic and instead offer refillable bamboo compacts as well as recyclable aluminum and glass containers. They even have vegan makeup brushes with bamboo and aluminum handles.
As a great bonus, they offer sample kits so you can find your perfect concealer and foundation. The samples come in recyclable/reusable aluminum tins that are perfect for making your own lip balm.
Bee You Organics
What they offer: Everything
Price: Products start at $10
Bee You Organics offers an entire line of zero waste cosmetics and brushes. Their products come in glass, aluminum, and paperboard containers and are made of natural, organic ingredients. All Bee You Organics products are made from scratch and by hand in the Pacific Northwest. They are also vegan and cruelty free.
Aether Beauty
What they offer: Eye shadow, blush, and highlighter
Price: $16 - $58
Aether Beauty launched the industry's first zero-waste eye shadow palette, which are made of 100% recyclable paper. Their most popular products are the Joshua Tree palette, which offers a bold color selection and the Rose Quartz Crystal Gemstone palette, which has more subtle tones. Their products are vegan, cruelty-free, and made of all-natural ingredients.
Nudi Goods
What they offer: Eye shadow, mascara, and tinted lip balm
Price: Products start at $9
Nudi Goods products are all available in compostable paperboard packaging, making them truly zero-waste. They use natural, organic ingredients and never test on animals.
Fat and the Moon
What they offer: Lip and Cheek Stain, Eyeshadow, and Highlighter
Price: Products start at $14
Fat and the Moon is much more than a cosmetics company, but they do offer a few zero-waste makeup basics. Their products, made of all-natural and organic ingredients, come in glass or aluminum jars with aluminum lids. They are also vegan and cruelty-free.
Zao Organic Makeup
What they offer: Everything
Price: Products start at $16
Zao Organic Makeup offers an array of refillable cosmetics in sustainable packaging, including bamboo and glass. While there is still some plastic used, they are working towards a 100% plastic-free shop. All products are vegan, cruelty-free, and made with natural ingredients. Zao also offers a wide range of samples
Dab Herb Makeup and Skincare
What they offer: Everything
Price: Products start at $10
Dab Herb Makeup offers a range of natural cosmetics in glass, aluminum, and paperboard packaging. Products that come in glass and aluminum can be cleaned and returned for refills at a 10% discount. All products are vegan and cruelty-free.
Clean Faced Cosmetics
What they offer: Everything
Price: $10 - $16
Clean Faced Cosmetics is a small woman-owned and -run business that offers everything you need for a zero-waste makeup up routine. All products are handmade and come in glass and aluminum containers. They can be returned for refills at a %10 discount. Clean Faced Cosmetics are vegan, cruelty-free, and made of natural ingredients.
Izzy Beauty Inc
What they offer: Mascara
Price: $35 for the initial purchase, then $19 every three months
Zero-waste, liquid mascara is hard to come by, but Izzy Beauty Inc has created a refillable stainless steel tube so that you never have to throw away another plastic mascara again. All you have to do is purchase the initial tube and subscribe to receive a refill every three months. Izzy mascara is organic, vegan, and cruelty-free.
What's Next
Now that you've decided what to put on your face, why not make the way you take it off a little better for the environment. Instead of toxic makeup remover, use something more natural like olive oil. And instead of disposable cotton rounds, make resuable ones with cotton fabric scraps.