Simple sustainability tips for overhauling your beauty regime
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 Priceline Pharmacy – 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: @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 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
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
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
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.
Image source: @renskincare
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.
Find out more about TerraCycle, the sustainable recycling initiatives and planet-loving programs from your favourite brands here >
Image source: Kiehl's
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 like The Body Shop 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, Countdown>
Discover our round up of the best of beauty at Westfield here >
Discover more tips on how to go-green and do your part for the planet here >
All your beauty appointments under one roof
Whether you're all about the brows or nails, there's no better place to get it all done in one visit.
Labour Day opening hours
Plan your visit to Westfield Helensvale. Discover our Labour Day long weekend opening hours and what's happening in-centre.
What's happening
What's happening
This Mother’s Day, show them how much you care with the greatest gift of all: the gift of travel.
Find your statement frame at Oscar Wylee with our 1 pair from $169 offer.
Brand new Alex Liddy® Harley tableware.
"Be with her. Be love. Thank her every day. Find the perfect gift at Pandora. #BeLove"
Our favourite Mother’s Day gifts for every budget, ranging from under $25 to over $200.
Say thanks for…well, everything.
Cooking, music and craft activities for preschoolers in The Playground during Term 2.
Discover the latest ranges from Disney.
Join Skechers Insider, shop any Women's product, and you could win a $1000 prize pack to spoil Mum. It's the perfect way to celebrate her love and generosity!
Spoil mum this Mother's Day.
Explore the collection and discover this new frame colour available only at OPSM.
Discover OPSM's Mother's Day Gift Edit