Every morning when I get ready for my 9 a.m. class, I am faced with the same issue of rummaging through my desk drawer to find the one eyeliner I always (and only) use beneath the copious amount of other makeup pens, some defective and some completely ink-less.
The problem is, I never throw them out because I feel bad about contributing to waste. Every morning I ask myself the same question about the same issues: What if there was still ink left and I’m not using it to the fullest? I know. First world problem, right?
The simple solution is to stop buying things completely. However, maybe this is the patriarchy talking. I still want to look snatched, put together, and not look tired because, after all, it is for my 9 a.m. class. With overconsumption being a central issue culturally and environmentally, it’s important to be mindful about our purchasing habits and the consequences of our buying decisions.
Another solution, though less sustainable than cutting out consumption completely, is making note of the products I buy so I won’t be tempted to buy other ones, as I personally know what suits and works for me. Here are some of my makeup recommendations.Â
- CANMAKE Juicy Lip Tint
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If Flower Knows is too expensive, CANMAKE is the perfect alternative.
CANMAKE is the only brand I prefer for any product. I usually get the shades [03] “Orange BrĂ»lĂ©e” or [02] “Cinnamon Apple.” This is the lippie I have been using for three years now. It is a lip tint, so it is, most of the time, transfer-proof. My con for this is that the wand of the lippie makes the tube-screw a bit messy, so sometimes there’s a product overflow when twisting it back in.Â
- e.l.f Camo Liquid BlushÂ
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I recently discovered blush because, as the days supposedly get hotter, everyone’s color is becoming less dull. My bad for falling into conformity, but I’d like to not be the only one in the room looking like Flashback Mary. If anything, I’d want my blush to be the only thing you see with the flash on, like Poot Lovato.
The only con (if you can even call it a con) is that there is too much product, so you may be more susceptible to blush blindness. But the best part? It’s only $8.00, which makes it economically sustainable in this economy.Â
- Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner
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Fun fact: My ex’s mother actually gave me this lip liner, and I used it all the time until it ran out. Sometimes, I consider breaking no contact just to tell my ex’s mother to get me another one, in exchange for loving her menace of a son again. Why can’t I get it myself? Because it is $23.00, and the prices will only go up. Other than the price, it is the best lip liner I have ever used.Â
- CANMAKE Creamy Touch Liner
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Ending this off with another CANMAKE product: the Creamy Touch Liner. I love this product because it does not smear easily, and it’s a thin-tip crayon, so the print can be easily refined and sharpened with a fingernail. I find that cream liners work better for me than liquid liners (honorable mention: Heroine Make) because liquid liners run out of ink randomly. At least cream liners give you a warning before running out by seeing the twist-up limit. I get it in the shade [03] “Dark Brown” because it appears less harsh on my eyes compared to [01] “Deep Black.”
Knowing what works for me has helped me stay economical and feel less guilty about owning too many products. The biggest personal bonus is having a more streamlined morning routine.
ultimately, do what works for you.
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