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You don’t need to have watched Blue Planet to know we have a serious plastic problem, and unfortunately the beauty industry is playing a big part. While we may have made leaps forward when it comes to microbeads and face wipes, beauty products as a whole tend to be packaged in planet-damaging plastic. Zero Waste reports that more than 120 billion units of packaging are produced every year by the global cosmetics industry, and this is exacerbated by the fact that 50% of Brits don’t recycle bathroom waste.
As I discovered while trialling a plastic-free beauty routine, zero-waste options are few and far between when it comes to makeup, skincare and hair products. Choosing products in recycled, recyclable and refillable packaging is a good first step, but upcycling your finished beauty containers goes further to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the bin.
From transforming old compacts into jewellery storage to using old eyeliner brushes for nail art, these clever hacks aren’t just Earth-friendly but will save you money too.
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Make an old palette into a jewellery case
There’s no need to throw away your beloved palette when you hit the pan. Simply clean out and use for storage. Palettes make the ideal home for jewellery, mini sewing kits or little stationery items such as paper clips. Single eyeshadows and blusher or bronzer compacts can also be used in a similar way.
Method
1. Scrape away any remaining powder product using a pair of tweezers.
2. Pop out the inner metal trays using a blunt knife.
3. Soak in warm soapy water, and leave to dry.
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Use a finished lipstick tube as a kirby grip holder
Always losing hair grips at the bottom of your bag? A finished lipstick is the perfect size for storing them.
Method
1. Use a cotton bud soaked in makeup remover (try and find a biodegradable option) to scrape out any excess lipstick from the bottom of the tube. You can store any remaining product in an empty pot or compact (e.g. a finished tin of lip balm) and apply with a small lip brush.
2. Wrap a cloth around the cotton bud to clean out the very last remnants.
3. Wash with warm soapy water and leave to dry.
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Reuse a dried-out eyeliner brush for nail art
For Pinterest-worthy nail art, your standard nail varnish brush isn’t going to do the trick. Instead of buying an entirely new striping brush, use an old liquid eyeliner to create those intricate designs. You can also dip it in nail varnish remover to erase any mistakes or smudges.
Method
1. Soak the felt tip pen or brush end of your liquid eyeliner in warm soapy water.
2. Leave to dry out overnight.
3. Dip in nail polish and create your nail art design. Be sure to clean with nail varnish remover after each use to keep the bristles from turning rock hard.
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Turn a candle jar into smart storage
Extend the life of an expensive scented candle by reusing the jar. Use for storage (they make the perfect size pots for housing cotton pads or makeup brushes), to plant succulents or simply place a tealight inside.
Method
1. Place the finished candle jar in the freezer overnight. When the leftover wax is frozen it is much easier to remove.
2. Carefully pry away the remaining wax using a blunt knife.
3. Wipe the jar down with a cloth to clean out remaining debris.
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Transform an empty bath oil bottle into a vase or diffuser
Make the most of glass packaging by reusing to display flowers. Choose blooms like hydrangeas or gypsophila, which look equally as good dry, to extend the value of your hard work. Alternatively, use the bottle to diffuse essential oils by placing a few drops in the bottom and filling with reed sticks.
Method
1. Soak the glass bottle in warm and soapy water.
2. Scrape off any paper labels.
3. Leave to dry.
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