Living a sustainable lifestyle is easier said on Instagram than executed in real life. And while reposting sustainability messages to Instagram stories is all well and good, translating sustainability off-screen, into your everyday routine presents more of a challenge. In the realm of makeup, you don’t want to sacrifice product performance in the name of sustainability. Rather, here are a few brands to give a try when looking for the best-of-both worlds.
For your base:
BeautyCounter: Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer
A personal favorite, the BeautyCounter Dew Skin is a lightweight tinted moisturizer perfect for everyday wear. This is a far cry from full coverage foundation, so don’t expect it to cover all of your skin woes. Instead, think of it as a heavier version of Glossier’s Skin Tint, except with SPF 20 and a subtle highlight for a lit-from-within look. Dew Skin is available in five adaptable shades (yes, we know that’s not enough). BeautyCounter is actively working to reduce their footprint through the elimination of unnecessary packaging, the introduction of glass bottles for smoother recycling and a partnership with How2Recycle to enhance customer education.
Kjaer Weis: Cream Foundation
A buildable foundation available in 16 shades, the Kjaer Weis Cream Foundation is complete with a weightless texture that blends into a semi-matte finish. If you’re willing to pay for a more sustainable product, ($68 before tax) this foundation is refillable. Buy the metal compact version the first time and simply order a shade refill when you get to the bottom. Once arrived, pop in your new cartridge, recycle the replacement packaging and you’re good to go.
For your eyes:
Ilia: Limitless Lash Mascara
A recipient of the Glamour Magazine 2019 beauty awards Ilia’s Limitless Lash Mascara is lifting, curling and naturally volumizing. The best part? It easily removes with warm water to avoid fighting with your mascara at the end of the day and waking up with panda eyes the next day (been there, done that). Ilia uses recycled aluminum packaging, glass components, recycled paper and vegetable-based dyes.
Juice Beauty: Phyto-pigments Liquid Line & Define
An intense black eyeliner, Juice Beauty’s Phyto-pigments Liquid Line & Define is a selection of the Knot’s 2019 Beauty Awards. Formulated from plant derived pigments, the liner contains eclipta daisy, cranberry, turmeric, basil and henna. The Juice Beauty brand as a whole takes sustainability beyond just products, utilizing solar and wind power, local sourcing and recycled or FSC certified paper.
For your lips:
W3LL: Optimist Lipstick
Available in 7 iconic shades the W3LL Optimist Lipstick is a semi-matte, long-lasting formula. A winner in the 2019 Allure Best of Clean Beauty, it’s described as a, “creamy bullet that hugs peaks and spreads like a dream, delivering subtle definition and a luscious finish,” all while being housed in a recyclable tube.
While no brand has reached peaked sustainability, we’re merely asking that each put their best foot forward. These brands are all making an effort and have gotten the sustainability ball rollingーbecause there will be no reason to wear makeup on a planet where it all melts off.
Images courtesy of Instagram