As the world becomes increasingly aware of the impact that fast fashion has on our environment, it’s time that clean and sustainable beauty become a top priority for fashionistas everywhere. And with summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to switch up your beauty routine and incorporate products that are good for both you and the planet.
The eco-friendly beauty industry is becoming more and more popular by the day, so it’s admittedly challenging to find brands that are truly sustainable, and that are healthy for you and the environment. Luckily, that’s where I come in. Whether you’re looking for a new sunscreen that won’t harm the ocean’s coral reefs or a mascara that comes in recyclable packaging, I’ve rounded up the best products from 11 different brands for a full makeup routine of sustainable beauty! Looking for a natural sheer foundation? Elate has you covered. Trying to cover up a summer breakout? Try OSEA’s blemish balm! Ready to try eyebrow wax over pencils? River Organics is here. Get ready to transform your beauty routine with these sustainable options that are sure to become your new go-tos for summer 2023.
- Nighttime prep: Osea
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OK, besties, you know the drill: before we can get started with the makeup, it’s important to have a good skin care routine that works for you the night before and the morning of. Luckily, after cleansing my face for this sustainable routine, I tried OSEA’s famous Dayglow Face Oil ($58), and it gave me all the healthy, dewy moisture I needed. It also provided a nice base for the next morning. The oil was perfect for my sensitive, acne-prone skin. It’s light, mineral rich, and smells so delicious, like the beach in a bottle.
A bonus for this brand? Because of my aforementioned acne-prone skin, I had a few breakouts that mostly faded away by morning due to OSEA’s Blemish Balm ($54)! It’s made from the brand’s signature seaweed, tea tree, juniper, and thyme oils blended together, which was able to soothe my red, irritated skin.
- Morning prep: COOLA, Pacifica & Youth To The People
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Along with my morning cleanser, I used COOLA’s Classic Face Organic Sunscreen ($32) (because we all need SPF, besties!) as the only product for the larger parts of my face before I started my makeup routine. I’ve been using the classic sunscreen for about a year now, and it’s become a staple in my everyday routine. Perfect for outdoor adventures, this product does a good job of withstanding sweat and doesn’t leave any white cast.
Afterwards, I was feeling a little tired, and my eyes were definitely showing it. So, I popped on Pacifica’s Reusable Undereye Masks ($15) with YTP’s Superfood Hydrate + Firm Peptide Eye Cream ($38) as the base. It was so rich and hydrating, and just what I needed for a little undereye treatment.
- Foundation: Elate Beauty
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I’ll be honest, Elate Beauty’s Refresh Foundation ($32) has been on my “must try” beauty list for a while now, and it definitely lived up to the hype. I wasn’t sure which foundation would match my skin, which has undertones of yellow, but with the help of Elate’s team, I was able to select the perfect shade for me: shade RN3. The lightweight formula felt like a second skin, allowing my natural beauty to shine through while providing just the right amount of coverage.
What truly amazed me was the foundation’s natural and nourishing ingredients, like bamboo extract and argan oil, which left my skin feeling hydrated and refreshed throughout the day. Elate believes in sustainable beauty, using ethically-sourced ingredients and packaging that can be endlessly recycled. So when you adorn your face with Elate, you’re not only elevating your beauty game, but also joining a community of earth-conscious women who celebrate the harmony between nature and style!
- Blush: Fat and the Moon & Elate Beauty
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Along with Elate’s foundation, I’m a huge fan of their Blush Balm ($25) as well. My favorite part? It contained Evening Primrose Oil, which is a healing ingredient for acne! I used the shade bliss, and it was so smooth and blendable. With just a gentle touch, this luxurious balm effortlessly melts into your skin, leaving behind a satin-smooth finish that feels as velvety as a petal. After putting the product on my cheekbones, I blended the cream blush on my eyelids for a beautiful, glowy finish.
To add a little more color to my cheeks throughout the day, and because my skin tends to absorb makeup very quickly, I tried the Beet Lip & Cheek Stain ($16) from Fat and the Moon! This little multitasker is like a burst of sunshine for your face. With its vibrant, buildable color and smooth application, it effortlessly adds a pop of natural radiance to both your lips and cheeks. The formula is lightweight and feels like a gentle caress on your skin, giving you a fresh-faced, dewy look that lasts all day — it’s a game-changer for your makeup routine!
- Concealer & Bronzer: Saie
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Out of all the sustainable concealers and bronzers out there, Saie has provided me with two new favorites. Get ready to unleash your inner sun-kissed goddess with Saie’s Sun Melt Bronzer ($32)! This little compact holds the secret to a beachy glow all year round. With its buttery texture, it effortlessly blends onto your skin, creating a natural-looking warmth that’s never too orange or too muddy. The buildable formula allows you to customize your bronze, from a subtle hint of vacation glow to a full-on sunkissed goddess vibe. It’s packed with skin-loving ingredients like cocoa seed butter and jojoba oil, so not only will you look like you just stepped off the beach, but your skin will feel nourished and hydrated, too.
As for concealer, say hello to your new skincare superhero: Saie’s Hydrabeam Concealer ($26). This little tube holds a treasure trove of radiance that will leave you glowing. With its lightweight, creamy formula, the concealer effortlessly glides onto your skin, leaving behind a mesmerizing sheen that catches the light in all the right ways. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle, ethereal glow or a dewy, lit-from-within shine, Hydrabeam has got you covered. It’s packed with nourishing ingredients like avocado oil and hyaluronic acid, so while you’re stealing the spotlight, your skin is being pampered and hydrated.
- Mascara and Eyebrows: ILIA & River Organics
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Before ILIA’s Limitless Lash Mascara ($28), I had never tried a clean mascara. I wasn’t sure if the natural ingredients would hold as well as a regular mascara, or if it would last me throughout the day. But boy was I happily surprised! This mascara is formulated with nourishing ingredients like beeswax and shea butter, so while you’re rocking a show-stopping look, you’re also giving your lashes some much-needed TLC. The brush effortlessly separates and lifts each lash, ensuring a clump-free and smudge-proof finish.
I had also never tried dipped eyebrow wax (I’ve been a pencil gal all these years), but I absolutely fell in love with River Organics’ eco-friendly Tinted Eyebrow Wax ($19). This product is a game-changer for achieving those perfectly-sculpted brows. The formula is vegan and all-natural, which made me feel good about using it. The wax itself has just the right amount of hold to keep my brows in place all day without feeling sticky or stiff. The dark brown shade was spot-on for my eyebrows, giving them a natural, defined look. If you’re searching for an eyebrow wax that’s kind to the planet and delivers fabulous results, look no further than this gem from River Organics.
- Lips: Merit
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For summer 2023, I’m absolutely obsessed with moisturizing, shiny lip oils. They’re the perfect finishing touch to any warm-weather beauty routine, and Merit has some of my favorite shades. I recently tried the Shade Slick Gelee Sheer Tinted Lip Oil ($24), and it was like a party for my lips! This product is pure magic — combining the nourishing benefits of a lip oil with a playful pop of color. The texture is super smooth and hydrating, gliding effortlessly on my lips. The sheer tint gave me just the right amount of natural-looking color, with my favorite shade being Mapleton, a lovely sheer brown. Plus, the packaging is so cute and compact, making it perfect for on-the-go touch-ups.
