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A couple of beloved makeup items of mine have just run out. A lovely peachy cream blush, and some black eyeshadow that I use to line my eyes. As much as I have loved these products, they are plastic based, so rather than do the easy thing and replace like for like, I’ve been in prime research mode for the last little while. This has seen me searching out zero-waste and plastic-free makeup options, to see what’s out there before I make any purchases.
I’ve been down all sorts of internet rabbit holes, and come up with what I believe are nine zero waste and plastic-free makeup brands. I’ve concentrated primarily on what’s available in the UK because that’s where I live, but I have included two US options for international readers.
Here’s what I found!
Zero Waste and Plastic-Free Makeup
Antonym
image via Antonym’s Facebook page
Antonym* sells a beautiful range of cruelty-free and ECOCERT certified organic makeup. Packaged in bamboo and paper, the range is free from parabens, phthalates, sulfates, artificial fragrances, petrochemicals, preservatives and other nasties. All products are vegan, with the exception of their lipsticks, but not all products are plastic free, so do check before you purchase.
I have only been able to source Antonym on Amazon, but the good news is there is a wide range available on there.
Clean-Faced Cosmetics
Clean Faced Cosmetics* are a US-based zero-waste and plastic-free makeup range. It’s all vegan, organic and cruelty-free too, and made in small batches by hand. If you can’t find what you’re looking for elsewhere and don’t mind paying the shipping, then this shop may be the one to visit.
Fat & The Moon
image via The Future Kept
Fat & The Moon are a US brand that is sold in the UK via the lovely online store The Future Kept. The makeup range is limited – an eye coal, a lip tint, and a cheek tint, but all are completely plastic-free and made from 100% natural ingredients.
Vegans, note that these products contain beeswax so are not vegan-friendly.
Kjaer Weis
Kjaer Weis*, which is available in the UK via Cult Beauty, sell certified organic natural makeup in beautiful refillable metal compacts. Even the lipsticks and mascaras are refillable.
Kjaer Weis is at the pricier end of the plastic-free makeup spectrum, but get rave reviews from all around the internet and are truly beautiful items that you will want to cherish forever. The initial price shock is overcome when you realise that once you’ve bought a cream blush in its beautiful compact, for example, the refills are then £17 cheaper. You can find out more about the refill system here. I truly love this refill concept. One day, when I’m a rich fancy lady, this is what I’m going to splurge on!
Luna Beauty UK
Oxford-based Luna Beauty sells a small range of zero-waste, plastic-free and cruelty-free vegan beauty products. They also offer a great refill service, where you can send back your empty tins and bottles for a 15% discount on your refill order.
Lush
Lush sell a range of plastic-free or packaging free cosmetics. From unpackaged lipstick to unpackaged eyeshadow (that apparently also makes a great highlighter) there are a host of products to explore. With Lush I personally find it easier to browse in-store than on their website. Just me?
RMS
RMS Beauty*, again available in the UK via Cult Beauty, sells a beautiful range of plastic-free makeup products, packaged in only metal and/or glass (with the exception of the mascara). What’s more, RMS pride themselves on using only natural and organic ingredients, sourced from sustainable sources, that soothe and soften skin, and have many celebrity endorsements, including Meghan Markle.
Keeping It Natural
Another US-based shop, Keeping It Natural sell a variety of zero-waste makeup options and refills. Every item is handmade in small batches to ensure freshness, and contain only natural vegan ingredients. Eyeshadows, foundation and lip tints are their speciality!
Zao
Zao sells a wide range of certified cruelty-free beauty products in refillable bamboo boxes. Currently, Zao says all products can be refilled, with the exception of mascara and lipgloss. Zao state that some of the refills are housed in recyclable plastic so you may want to check this before purchasing. The very extensive FAQ is a good starting point!
Have you tried any of these brands? What did you think? Or do you have any other plastic-free or zero waste makeup recommendations? I would love to hear!
ps: if you are looking for a zero waste, plastic-free makeup removal option then do try this handy reusable cotton wool pad tutorial!
Thank you!
I have skin that seems to be a bit of everything-dry, yet oily and also spotty at times! RMS beauty ‘un-coverup’ is so good! They’ve upped the price recently but it lasts ages and I find goes beyond the use of a concealer (very little need for foundation). It’s simple to use, looks natural an d doesn’t make my skin at all dry or flaky. Keen to try some of their other products, as I’ve heard good things!
hi, i’ve started using elate cosmetics. i live in scotland & have to get it shipped from canada (so quite pricey when you add in the import tax) but they are really good. they do refills & bamboo packaging & the foundation is really good for my sensitive skin.
https://www.elatecosmetics.ca
Thanks so much for this Wendy – this is such useful information! Off to check out the links!
Thank you for the tips. Plastic-free and non-toxic make-up isn’t an easy landscape to navigate!
This article is really helpful thank you! Do you know if any of these companies are free of palm oil? Thank you
Not too sure Catherine – you’d need to contact the particular brands/shops you were interested in. I will do a guide to palm oil free makeup soon!
Lush is great when it comes to plastic-free solutions however they do use some nasty chemicals in some of their products so not all so green :(
Great blog by the way! :)
Thanks for the info!
For UK options, Aveda is reasonably good – they sell refillable aluminium compacts that you can then buy eyeshadows, blushers, presses powders and foundations for. The refills come in a small plastic sleeve but it’s a vast improvement on the more standard options.
That’s great Naomi – thanks for the tip! I always think of Aveda for hair, but never for cosmetics for some reason!
This is exactly what I was looking for Wendy! Thank you! I was just looking for moisturiser but have now found some beautiful make-up options too!
There is a broken link on the Luna Beauty – looks like they’ve moved away from Etsy and created their own website.
Hi, I am looking for something that is a vegan + cruelty-free + organic + zero waste make up! Can anyone recommend a brand / a shop that fulfils all these criteria? Thanks!
Clean Faced Cosmetics is probably the only one that ticks all the boxes, but it ships from America. There are vegan + cruelty free + zero waste brands in the UK if you can be flexible on the organic side. If not the other option would be to DIY. There are books abound on this – I haven’t tried it myself though!