You probably throw away more makeup than necessary. That lipstick that just isn't the right shade, the mascara that already feels a bit dry, the powder that fell out of your bag and broke in two. Throwing it away seems logical, but it often isn't necessary at all. We have a few clever hacks collected, which means you get far more out of the products you already have. This saves you money and reduces waste. Win, win!
Why make-up often ends up in the bin sooner than necessary
Many beauty products appear to be ‘finished’ when there's actually a surprising amount still left inside. Mascara dries out a bit, but isn't empty. A powder breaks in half, rendering it unusable (it creates so much mess!) or a lipstick is left behind because the colour isn't quite right. It's a shame, because often you can still use such a product perfectly well with a simple trick. By using your make-up a little more consciously, you'll get more out of it and prevent products from ending up in the bin when you could have got so much more out of them.
6 smart make-up hacks to get more out of your beauty products
Fortunately, you don't need to learn complicated beauty rituals to reduce waste. With a few simple tricks, you can still make excellent use of products that are almost empty, have broken, or aren't quite your shade. Here are six easy make-up hacks which you can try straight away and that we at thegreenlist.nl A fan of his! They all work and they're really, really, REALLY easy!
1. Using lipstick as blusher
Do you have a lipstick that isn't quite your colour or doesn't apply smoothly? Don't throw it away. Lipstick often works surprisingly well as a cream blush. Put two or three small dots on your cheek and gently blend it out with your fingers. This way, that forgotten lipstick gets a second life. Colours like pink, peach, or soft red give the most natural result. This is our favourite make-up. hack from the list and that's why we're starting with it!
2. Warm the mascara so it becomes spreadable again
Mascara often seems like it's finished before it actually is. Quite a bit of product is left behind in the tube that has thickened. Hold the mascara under your armpit for a few minutes or place it in a glass of warm water for a while. The warmth will make the mascara more liquid again, and you'll often be able to use it for a while longer. Be warned though: never use mascara for longer than six months, even if you warm it up. Your eyes are too precious to take risks with.
3. Broken powder fix
Dropped your blush, bronzer or eyeshadow and it shattered into pieces? Or does it happen in your bag, where powders eventually break? Cry? You did before, but with this hack No more! Crumble the powder further, add a few drops of 70% alcohol and press the mixture flat again with a small spoon. Then leave it to dry. After a few hours, your powder will often be as good as new. This works for almost all pressed powders, such as blush, bronzer, highlighter and eyeshadow. This WikiHow tutorial is handy.
4. Mix the last bit of foundation with day cream
Is your foundation nearly gone and are you struggling to get the last bits out? Mix a little foundation with a bit of day cream in your hand. This way, you're effectively making your own tinted moisturiser. Ideal for days when you want a lighter coverage. You're creating a light tinted moisturiser which often feels much more natural. Just don't use a day cream with SPF, as the sun protection will be diluted by mixing.
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5. Lip balm as eyebrow gel
Do you have a lip balm you don't use too often? With a tiny bit on a brow brush, you can perfectly shape your eyebrows. It works surprisingly well as a light brow gel.
6. Cut open your toothpaste tube
It's not just make-up that often contains leftovers. Cut open a nearly empty toothpaste tube and you'll see there's still a surprising amount of paste clinging to the inside. You can often brush your teeth five to ten more times with it! This tip also applies to make-up tubes such as foundation, concealer or face cream, of course. You can easily get the last bits out with an old toothbrush or a cotton bud!
Conclusion: wasting less make-up starts with small tricks
You don't need to completely overhaul your beauty routine to waste less makeup. Sometimes, simply thinking twice before throwing something away is enough. See if you can give a product a second life, use what you already have, and only buy something new when it's truly finished. Your wallet _and_ the environment will be happy!
You might also find this interesting
- Also see: the list of eco-friendly beauty products.
- Also see: what is mascara made of and how do you find sustainable mascara?
- Also see: Hoe vind je duurzame foundation en concealer?
- Also see: what is the difference between vegan and cruelty-free?
Photo credit: Angela de Vlaming.
