As professional makeup artists, we're constantly evaluating and selecting the best products for our clients. In recent years, there's been a significant shift in the beauty industry toward sustainability, and for good reason. The environmental impact of beauty products—from packaging waste to harmful ingredients that end up in our water systems—has become impossible to ignore.

At SharedCorner, we're committed to making more environmentally conscious choices in our professional kits and recommending sustainable options to our clients. In this guide, we'll share our favorite eco-friendly makeup brands that don't compromise on quality or performance, along with tips for making your beauty routine more sustainable.

Understanding Sustainable Beauty

Before we dive into specific brands, it's important to understand what makes a beauty brand truly sustainable. Sustainability in beauty encompasses several key factors:

Packaging Considerations

  • Reduced packaging: Minimalist packaging that uses less material
  • Recyclable materials: Packaging made from easily recyclable materials like glass, aluminum, or certain plastics
  • Refillable systems: Products designed to be refilled rather than replaced entirely
  • Biodegradable options: Packaging that breaks down naturally without harming the environment
  • Post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials: Packaging made from already-recycled materials

Ingredient Considerations

  • Ethically sourced: Ingredients obtained through fair trade practices and sustainable harvesting
  • Non-toxic: Free from ingredients harmful to humans and aquatic ecosystems
  • Biodegradable formulas: Products that break down naturally after use
  • Vegan: Free from animal-derived ingredients
  • Cruelty-free: Not tested on animals

Business Practices

  • Carbon neutrality: Offsetting carbon emissions from production and shipping
  • Renewable energy: Using solar, wind, or other renewable energy sources for manufacturing
  • Waste reduction: Implementing programs to minimize waste throughout production
  • Water conservation: Minimizing water usage in product creation
  • Giving back: Supporting environmental causes and conservation efforts

It's rare for a brand to excel in every single area, but the ones we've selected for this guide are making significant strides in multiple aspects of sustainability while still delivering professional-quality results.

Our Favorite Sustainable Makeup Brands

For Base Products (Foundation, Concealer, Powder)

Kjaer Weis

This luxury brand has pioneered the refillable makeup system with its beautiful, durable metal compacts. The foundation provides medium, buildable coverage with a satin finish that looks like naturally perfected skin.

Sustainability highlights: Certified organic ingredients, refillable packaging, and products housed in gorgeous, endlessly reusable metal components.

Professional take: The cream foundation is a standout product that we frequently use for bridal clients. It photographs beautifully and wears exceptionally well throughout long events. The investment in the initial compact pays off with more affordable refills.

Alima Pure

Known for their extensive shade range of mineral makeup, Alima Pure offers products with minimal, recyclable packaging.

Sustainability highlights: Carbon-neutral company, minimal packaging made from recycled materials, and products free from synthetic dyes and fragrances.

Professional take: Their loose mineral foundation is a go-to for clients with sensitive skin. The coverage is buildable, and the finish is natural without being too matte or too dewy. The pressed foundation in recyclable compacts is perfect for touch-ups.

For Cheek Products (Blush, Bronzer, Highlighter)

RMS Beauty

Created by makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift, RMS focuses on clean, minimal products with organic ingredients that melt into the skin.

Sustainability highlights: Packaging made from recycled and recyclable materials, certified organic ingredients, and products housed in glass containers when possible.

Professional take: The "Living Luminizer" highlighter and cream blushes are absolute staples in our kit. They give a natural, lit-from-within glow that never looks makeup-y. The formulations work beautifully on mature skin as they don't settle into fine lines.

Aether Beauty

Aether has reimagined the eyeshadow palette with zero-waste packaging and high-performance formulas.

Sustainability highlights: 100% recyclable packaging with no mirrors or magnets (which make traditional palettes non-recyclable), vegan formulas, and 1% of sales donated to environmental causes.

Professional take: Their highlighter palettes offer versatile options for creating a subtle glow or a more intense highlight. The powder formula is finely milled and applies smoothly without emphasizing texture.

For Eye Products (Eyeshadow, Liner, Mascara)

Ilia Beauty

Ilia combines clean, skin-centric ingredients with high-performance pigments and textures.

Sustainability highlights: Recycling program for hard-to-recycle beauty packaging, aluminum and glass containers, and responsibly sourced ingredients.

Professional take: Their Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint is incredibly versatile—it can be applied as a sheer wash of color or built up for more intensity. Their mascaras deliver impressive volume and length without flaking or smudging.

Antonym Cosmetics

This brand focuses on certified organic ingredients and sustainable bamboo packaging.

Sustainability highlights: FSC-certified bamboo packaging, vegan and cruelty-free formulations, and emphasis on natural ingredients.

Professional take: Their baked eyeshadows have excellent color payoff and can be used wet or dry. The bamboo packaging is not only sustainable but also durable for professional use.

For Lip Products

Axiology

Axiology specializes in multi-use lip products with plastic-free packaging.

Sustainability highlights: 100% plastic-free, 10-ingredient or less formulas, vegan, and partners with a women's cooperative in Bali that recycles paper into packaging.

Professional take: Their Balmies are innovative multi-use crayons for lips, cheeks, and eyes that come wrapped in paper instead of plastic. The colors are vibrant, and the formula is hydrating without being too slippery.

Elate Cosmetics

Elate offers refillable makeup in sustainable bamboo packaging.

Sustainability highlights: Refillable system, bamboo packaging, seed paper that can be planted (used to wrap products), and vegan formulations.

Professional take: Their lipsticks provide rich color with comfortable wear. The refillable system is perfect for professional kits as we can easily swap out and replenish our most-used shades.

Making Your Beauty Routine More Sustainable

Transitioning to a more eco-friendly makeup collection doesn't have to happen overnight. Here are some practical steps you can take to reduce the environmental impact of your beauty routine:

Audit Your Current Collection

  • Take inventory of what you have and identify items that are nearly empty or rarely used
  • Use up existing products before purchasing new ones
  • Properly dispose of expired products (many brands now offer recycling programs)

Adopt a "Less Is More" Approach

  • Invest in versatile, multi-use products (such as a cream that works for lips and cheeks)
  • Choose quality over quantity—fewer, better products often lead to less waste
  • Consider capsule makeup collections with just the essentials

Make Thoughtful Replacements

  • When something runs out, research sustainable alternatives
  • Prioritize refillable options for products you use regularly
  • Look for minimal packaging or packaging made from recycled materials

Extend Product Life

  • Store makeup properly to prevent premature spoilage
  • Clean your brushes regularly to make them last longer
  • Use spatulas to get every last bit of product from containers

Recycle Responsibly

  • Clean empty containers before recycling
  • Disassemble products with mixed materials (e.g., separate the plastic pump from a glass bottle)
  • Look into specialized recycling programs like TerraCycle for hard-to-recycle items

Beyond the Products: Sustainable Makeup Practices

Sustainability in beauty extends beyond the products themselves to how we use them:

Tools and Accessories

  • Choose brushes with sustainable handles (bamboo, recycled aluminum)
  • Opt for reusable tools like silicone makeup applicators that can be washed and reused
  • Switch to reusable cotton rounds or makeup removing cloths instead of disposable wipes

Water Conservation

  • Turn off the water while washing your face or brushes
  • Consider waterless beauty products like powder cleansers
  • Use micellar water or cleansing balms that don't require rinsing for makeup removal

Energy Usage

  • Apply makeup in natural light when possible to avoid using electricity
  • Choose LED lighting for makeup application spaces
  • Unplug heated tools like curling irons when not in use

The Future of Sustainable Beauty

The beauty industry is constantly evolving, with exciting innovations on the horizon for sustainable makeup:

Emerging Technologies

  • Waterless formulations that reduce the need for preservatives and shipping weight
  • Biodegradable glitter made from plant cellulose
  • Zero-waste manufacturing processes
  • Packaging innovations using ocean plastic or agricultural waste

Industry Shifts

  • More mainstream brands launching refillable options
  • Improved transparency in sourcing and manufacturing
  • Extended producer responsibility programs
  • Collaborative initiatives to standardize sustainable packaging

Our Commitment as Professional Visagistes

At SharedCorner, we're continually evaluating our professional practices to reduce our environmental footprint:

  • We're transitioning our professional kits to include more sustainable brands
  • We use refillable palettes and containers whenever possible
  • We've implemented a sustainable disposal system for product waste in our studio
  • We educate our clients about sustainable beauty options during consultations

We believe that beautiful makeup and environmental responsibility can go hand-in-hand. The brands highlighted in this article prove that you don't need to sacrifice quality or performance to make more sustainable choices.

Whether you're a makeup enthusiast looking to green your beauty routine or a professional makeup artist seeking to reduce your environmental impact, we hope this guide provides valuable insights and inspiration for your sustainable beauty journey.

For personalized advice on sustainable makeup options that suit your specific needs and preferences, contact us to book a consultation with one of our professional visagistes.