Pretty Without Plastic

PLASTIC-FREE MAKEUP TO COMBAT PLASTIC WASTE CREATED BY TRENDS

By Gabriela Hertel, Contributing Writer

Has anyone else become obsessed with online shopping recently? Since the start of quarantine, it’s been hard to find things to look forward to. So, the obvious solution in my mind was to shop online for new things I could entertain and express myself with, in the comfort of my home. That’s what led me to my interest in experimenting with makeup. There’s nothing like waiting for a package of exciting new palettes, brushes and glitters to show up at my doorstep. I’m sure many of you also had the same idea in quarantine, wanting to have the ability to create any look.

Keeping up with beauty influencers is great for learning about new products or styles, and many have loyal fans who trust their brand endorsements. The downside to this is that they also unintentionally create waste in the homes of their fans by promoting a consumerist approach to using makeup. For example, if I see Rihanna promoting a new highlighter that seems more desirable than the one I have, I’m now inclined to purchase it. But what happens to my old highlighter? It most likely ends up in a pile of unused items, inevitably headed for the trash.

An easy fix to this issue is, instead of buying more makeup, buy different makeup! Plastic-free makeup that is. Here are some brands that are eco-friendly and make plastic-free makeup products. This short list is a great way to start on your new plastic-free cosmetics journey! Everyday small actions such as buying plastic-free makeup make a positive impact on the earth. Now, we can start this journey together!

Fat and the Moon

Fat and Moon is a unique brand, having their products made with organic plants and oils. The three products they sell are lip, eye and cheek colors, some even being all three of these combined, coming in a range of beautiful reds and pinks. These products come in reusable and recyclable packaging, and they try their best to reduce their packaging as much as possible. 1

1 Fat and the Moon. Aether

If you want more of a dramatic look, and want to add color to your eyes, Aether is the brand for you. Their beautiful eyeshadow palettes are made completely out of paper, and their packaging is almost 100% recyclable. Plus, they put crystals in their eyeshadow, so how can you say no?! 1

1 Aether Beauty. Aether Beauty.

elatebeauty.com Liquid EyeLine - Origin $25 i n izer $38 L u m rms .com

Elate

This brand does use some recyclable plastic, but they try to stick to more sustainable and recyclable materials like aluminum, glass, bamboo and seed paper. I’m including them in this list because they have a huge range of products, allowing you to get pretty much anything you need in a minimal-waste way. All of their products are 100% cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan and 75% organic! 1

fatandthemood .com B e am Highlighter $18 aetherbeautyco.com Ametrine Crystal Quad $24 Keeping it Natural

This affordable brand has cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free, and ——you guessed it — plastic-free products. All of their products are made by hand. They have mascara, lip color and cheek products in many different colors, such as rosy pinks, bold reds, cool purples and sandy browns.1

1 Kellogg, Kathryn. “17 Zero Waste Makeup Brands.” Going Zero Waste, September 11, 2020.

RMS

RMS sells pretty much everything, and it all comes in small recycled glass pots. All of their products are nonGMO, soy-free, gluten-free (except for the volumizing mascara!) and cruelty-free. 1 ■