Recycle, Reduce and Repurpose Makeup And Beauty Products

I was watching a documentary last night on how consumerism is taking a toll on our

environment and it left me in complete shock.

Taking a break from reviews of beauty products today I am writing about recycling, repurposing

and reducing makeup and beauty products. Because being beautiful is not cool at the cost of

hurting the nature.

Here I have some easy and quick tips on how we can recycle, some I have tried out myself and

some I have simple read about but am still sharing with you guys.

The foremost pollutant is the plastic containers in which our beauty products are

packed. Most of the packages are non biodegradable. What we can do is try to reuse

these containers. Use empty small sized bottles to refill with your favourite toiletries –

shampoo, shower gels and lotions, and keep them in your travel kit. Instead of buying 2

bottles, transfer your favorite lotion into these travel sized bottles for your handbag.


I also like to clean out the convenient pump nozzle bottles and refill it with hand wash

gels. The Fab India body mist spray bottle holds my  homemade rosewater and lavender

face toner. I love the way the toner is sprayed onto my face giving an instantly refreshed

feeling. The lotus toner bottle which also comes which a spray nozzle holds the

homemade patchouli and rose room freshener.

There are some companies which takes back these empty containers and offer free

samples and discounts in return. MAC cosmetics, Origins and Aveda are some of the

companies. One can exchange six empty MAC containers for a brand new lipstick. Empty

Vaseline jars and cleaned out lens cases make a great container for DIY lip balms.


Sometimes we are stuck with makeup or beauty products that we don’t really like or

does not suit our skin. A perfect example would be foundations. If you are stuck with a

foundation shade that does not match your skin stone, simply mix a few drops with your

favourite body lotion and slather it on your legs to give a sexy bronzed look.


If you have a lipstick that you don’t like much, simply use to make great homemade lip

balms. http://makeupandbeauty.com gives you some amazing DIY tips on makeup and

beauty products. You can also REDUCE your makeup consumption with these amazing

DIYs.

You can use old body glitters to create amazing nail arts. Mix old unused sparkly eye

shadow in clear nail paint to create your own signature nail colors.


Eyeliner can be used to make temporary tattoo on your body or even make amazing nail

art.


My little niece and nephew love to raid my make up kit for old eye shadows and body

glitters for their school art and craft work.


I was stuck with a few extra expired lip liners from my wedding trousseau which I now

use to write small romantic notes and hide it in my husband’s lunch box!

I use the Himalaya face pack, which did not suit my facial skin, on my feet and elbows

when I give myself a manicure and pedicure. Same way a not so great face wash doubles

up into a great body cleanser and a bad shampoo into a foot soak!


Old mascara wand when cleaned n sanitized, doubles up as jewellery cleaner, eyebrow

brush and also be used to clean under the nails. (Until the husband started using it to

clean the spaces between the keys on the laptop)


 If Have a lot of makeup lying idle, invite your BFFS over and throw a makeup party!!!

Being green is not about saving money but the environment, so have no qualms about it. Pick

organic and eco friendly products, opt for DIY homemade products, Curb unnecessary buys.

Also, remember, recycle, reuse, repurpose and reduce.

Let’s all do our bit and look beautiful in an eco-friendly fashion!