If there’s one thing sustainability experts agree on, it’s this: the goal should always be progress, not perfection.

There are so many ways to make our lifestyles greener that trying to tackle them all at once can quickly become overwhelming. Instead, it’s best to choose one aspect of your life to focus on at a time. That way, you’ll inch towards a more planet-friendly existence without the stress (and minus the dent in your savings).

Beauty is an excellent place to start because we use – and replace – skincare, haircare, body care and makeup often. The beauty industry is packed with plastic, and a shocking 70% of it ends up in landfills. Happily, there are plenty of simple ways to make your beauty routine more sustainable. Here are just a few.

Make the most of your products at home

There’s no need to rush out and stock up on clean or green beauty products until you’ve made the most of what you already have. You might even discover hidden potential in items you already love.

Consider face oils from MECCA MAXIMA – they can serve as versatile multitaskers. Use them on your body, apply to cuticles, use as a makeup remover, or mix them with your primer for a radiant base. Concealers can do double duty as eyeshadow primers, enhancing the vibrancy of your eyeshadow palettes.

Bronzers are the unsung heroes of multitasking. Blend liquid bronzers with foundations or tinted moisturizers to deepen your summer shade or get creative by using powder bronzers as matte eyeshadows.

Image source: Sephora

Image source: @iliabeauty available at Mecca

Image source: @sukinskincare <available at Woolworths, Coles, My Chemist, Priceline>

Dip your brush into natural makeup

Natural makeup is all about letting your skin breathe while feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin. These brands harness the power of natural ingredients such as oils, plant extracts and minerals rich in antioxidants and vitamins to keep your skin glowing!

A good place to start exploring natural makeup is at your local health food store Nature's Farm and David Jones where you will find three Australian brands which have been paving the way; Eye of Horus, Ere Perez and Inika.

Eye of Horus draws inspiration from ancient Egypt, crafting products with clean, ethically sourced ingredients. The brand celebrates the beauty of the eyes, making them the perfect choice for eyeliners and mascara.

Image source: @eyeofhoruscosmetics available at David Jones

Ere Perez is the epitome of simplicity and minimalism. Their products harness the power of plants and botanicals to create makeup that enhances your natural radiance such as their Oat Milk Foundation.

Image source: @inikaorganic MECCA Maxima

Inika delivers lux, certified organic cosmetics. With a commitment to purity, their makeup infuses your skin with nourishing botanicals and minerals, ensuring a flawless, naturally radiant look. Their foundations, BB creams and primers are award winning, so no matter whether you prefer liquid or pressed powder there is an option for you.

Image source: @ereperezcosmetics available at David Jones

Go blue

We’ve all heard of green beauty, but what about its sister movement blue beauty? Blue beauty is all about the preservation of our oceans and marine ecosystems and is committed to minimising the impact of beauty products on aquatic life. Blue beauty brands prioritise recyclable and zero-waste packaging, with some even repurposing ocean debris for their containers. Their formulations also avoid harmful microbeads and reef-damaging ingredients, so you’ll know you are doing your bit for our oceans. <Dive into blue skincare & beauty at MECCA Maxima with Ren Skincare, Dr Dennis Gross and Elemis.

Image source: @renskincare available at MECCA

Reuse & refill

Many brands now offer refill options allowing you to replenish your favourite products without the need for new packaging. This shift towards refills helps curb the waste generated from single-use items discarded daily. Embrace sustainability by replacing disposable items with reusable alternatives such as cotton buds, cosmetic rounds, safety razors, silicone sheet masks and period undies and moon cups.

When it comes to essentials like body wash, cleanser, and moisturiser, opt for minimal, recyclable packaging like glass, tin, cardboard, or bamboo. Bonus points if you choose brands that offer refill options. Keep an eye out for brands participating in TerraCycle, a program that keeps hard-to-recycle materials out of landfills.

Image source: Kiehl's available at David Jones and MECCA Maxima

Image source: L'Occitane

Image source: @thebodyshopanz and @my_beautyful_things

Consider nude products

When it’s time to shop, go for a product that’s lite on packaging. Solid bars are a great choice because they come in plenty of iterations - from face cleansing bars and regular soap to shampoo bars - and are wrapped simply in paper or cardboard. Some retailers, such as Lush, even sell them nude. If you are already heading to Woolworths for your weekly grocery shop you won’t have to look far to find no plastic options. Just keep an eye out for Ethique in the beauty aisle.

Image source: @ethiqueworld available at Woolworths

Discover our round up of the best of beauty at Westfield here >