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Lower Waste Full Face Routine

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From care to cosmetics, beauty routines can create a lot of plastic waste. Plenty of brands are creating effective and exciting products in low to no waste packaging nowadays. In my quest to replace my routines with a lower waste full face routine, I’ve discovered so many products I just have to share. My focus is hydration, youth preservation, and vibrant cosmetics.

lower waste full face routine
Photo by Polina Kovaleva

Skincare Routine

I subscribe to the idea that beautiful makeup starts with skincare. In my late 20’s I started focusing on anti aging products. I’ve since passed 30 and anti aging is still my primary skincare focus. But I have other, more important priorities now too. If I’m going to have a full skincare routine, it’s going to be a lower waste full face routine.

Exfoliator

The only time I exfoliate is when I plan to wear makeup. I find it gives me the cleanest, smoothest base to apply products to. The scrub I use now is from an amazing company. They utilize wind energy and packaging is recyclable. But, recyclable plastic is still problematic so I’m looking for a switch.

Cleanser

For day to day cleansing, I use a rather traditional cleanser. Again, from the same amazing company. Despite having great ingredients, it has natural fragrance and that’s something I’m trying to avoid. And the all plastic packaging has to go.

Oil Cleanser

I use oil cleansers for removing makeup at the end of the day. I also follow up exfoliation with an oil cleanser when it’s especially dry in winter. What I use now works well but I’m not in love with it. And it’s plastic.

Essence/Toner

Another product that came in plastic. I use essence immediately after washing my face to hold my skin over until I can sit down and apply the remainder of my skincare routine. My current essence isn’t doing as much as it could be doing though. I’m look for hydration and rejuvenation for my very dry, sensitive skin.

Serum

At this point of my lower waste full face routine, I’m trying to pack in as much youth preservation as possible. Currently my serum hydrates, which is great. I’m also looking for skin damage prevention and reduction.

Eye Cream

Signs of aging started around my eyes and along my forehead. Retinol and peptides are high on my list of eye cream priorities. Both are lacking in my current eye cream. And plastic pots have got to go.

Moisturizer

I actually like my current face creams. They are in glass pots and have a lot of hydrating and anti aging ingredients. I’m not pressed to find a replacement for them but when I start to run out I’ll revisit and see if one of the others I have my eyes on may be a better fit.

Face Oil

My current face oil leaves my skin feeling so soft the next day. And it’s in a glass bottle. I don’t love the way it smells. And because it’s heavy on the skin, it takes a while for the smell to dissipate. I’d like to squeeze more benefits out of my face oil too so I am considering others.

Suncare

Can one have too many sunscreens? For no makeup days, I’m happy with my facial sunscreen lotion. And for body sunscreen I enjoy what I have currently but it does leave a white cast. On me that’s not so noticeable but bare that in mind.

Skincare Brands On My Radar

lower waste full face routine
Photo by MART PRODUCTION

Makeup Routine

Moving on to the fun part. My interest in makeup up started many, many years before my interest in skincare. I’m a creative person and the variety of finishes, colors and forms are inspiring. In an effort to be more earth friendly, I’m on a mission to find my perfect lower waste full face routine.

Makeup Tools

From application to removal, there are a lot of opportunities for eco swaps. There’s now a fully biodegradable makeup sponge. And wooden makeup brushes are easy to find. Products that are made from recycled, reusable, and durable materials are always a great choice. And definitely on my radar for repurchases.

Complexion Products

I only use concealer. Foundations feel uncomfortable on my skin and aren’t pigmented enough to do what I want them to. I focus product around my eyes and nose and a bit on the center of my chin and forehead. Since my skin is very dry, the product sets nicely without powder.

Brows

There’s a lot of options for brows. Sharpenable wood pencils are next to totally zero waste and can be multi purpose brows to eyes. Eyeshadow pans can double up as brow powder. For more liquid consistency, brow balms and pomades can be found in glass jars and pans. I’m really hoping Pacifica comes out with a refill option for their brow product. That would be so convenient and very low waste of them.

Eyeshadow

Options are pretty much endless with low waste eyeshadow. I enjoy pans because I can buy just the shades I like unlike palettes where I always end up with some I don’t use. Pans, pots, crayons, pencil eyeshadows can all be used over the whole face too. Light shimmery shades can be used as highlighter. Browns with the right undertones can be used as bronzer, contour, brows, liner. Something to keep in mind is that traditional glitters are not biodegradable.

Eyeliner

Wood pencils and potted cream and gel liners are the easiest to find lower waste liners. I’ve grown to like them over the years. And they double up as eyeshadow bases and eyeshadows. A lower waste liquid pen liner would be the dream.

Mascara/Lashes

Just like the brow product from Pacifica, their mascara comes in a glass tube. And I’d love to see a refill option so I can continue reusing the wand/cap since that is where the majority of the waste with this product is. Potted mascaras essentially do this already with a bit less convenience though. I’m still willing to try them when the time comes though.

Blush

I used to hate blush because my skin gets red easily. As makeup trends come and go I find myself trying things out of my comfort zone. I end up with less wasted product by using multi use products and using what I have on hand. Crayon, pan, and multi purpose potted products are great for cheek, lip, and eye use. And blush products come in packaging free pans too.

Bronzer

Bronzer is much like blush in that eyeshadow pans (and vice versa bronzer pans used as eyeshadow) and crayon products are perfect. I low a low effort look with bronzed eyes and face with a glossy lip. Any complexion product in a darker shade can be used to contour and bronze a face too!

Highlight

Once again, panned, potted and crayon products are effective lower waste choices. One of my favorite highlighters is an eyeshadow from a limited edition palette. And it makes a pretty eyeshadow just like any of these products would.

Lips

The lips finish off a lower waste full face routine. I’ve found loads of potted and crayon style lip sticks and balms. The lip and cheek products build up and sheer out beautifully. And gloss pots can be taken on the go like any other with a travel lip brush.

Sunscreen

Can’t forget to protect that beautiful base. The best way to have youthful skin is to avoid damage in the first place. For makeup days I use a setting spray sunscreen so I can reapply easily without disturbing my makeup. It is in a plastic bottle though so I’m considering the organic sunscreen mist when I repurchase despite having natural fragrance.

Makeup Brands On My Radar

Etsy Shops On My Radar

Individual Pans

Beauty Brands

This is a looong list but I wanted to include every option for you and for future me to come back to. I’m trying to purchase new products only to replace things that run out of my collection. Well, and to support marginalized communities from time to time. I’m doing my best. And my best just like yours changes from moment to moment, day to day, year to year. From skincare to a full face of makeup, that’s a lower waste full face routine.

Shopping Platforms

Earth Hero – Sustainable Living

Credo Beauty – Makeup & Organic Skincare

Grove – Natural Household & Personal Care

Unpacked Living – Sustainable Market

lower waste full face routine
Photo by Ron Lach

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