When you think of beauty product waste, you’re probably thinking of that last little bit of your favorite foundation or lipstick that you simply can’t get out of the tube. And while that’s a shame, it’s not where most beauty product waste occurs. Waste happens when you buy the fun new colors, get a freebie in a shade that just doesn’t work, or you switch hues for the season and the old color languishes in your drawer.

In fact, according to one survey, the average consumer owns 40 makeup products but only uses or carries five of them daily. That means you own eight times more products than you regularly use. The same survey also goes into detail about how many people know that makeup has expiration dates, yet they hold onto stuff long after it’s expired just in case they need it again or because they haven’t used it all up.

So how do you stop this wasting habit and make the most of what you do purchase?

Why limit your beauty product waste?

There are two huge reasons to cut back on your beauty product waste—the environment and finances. 

The environmental impact of beauty products is seen in several different ways. First of all, the beauty industry is full of packaging. Recycling can help cut down on waste, but not everyone recycles, and recycling still takes energy. Small sample products and packaging within packaging adds to the problem referenced in the survey mentioned above.

Secondly, the chemicals used in some products are harmful to the environment, especially the oceans. It just makes sense that if you use less of these products and throw away less of them, then you’re cutting down your contribution. It makes even more sense to select naturally-derived products, so you’re not using harmful chemicals.

Beyond the environmental impact of beauty waste, look at the money you’ve wasted over the years. If you’re only using five products daily, how much have you spent on those additional items you try once and never use again? Take a minute to wrap your head around that, and imagine how you could better spend that money.

So, for the sake of the environment, your pocketbook, and your peace of mind, let’s look at some ways you can cut back on cosmetic waste.

How to cut back on cosmetic waste

We’ve come up with a few solutions that can help you cut back on your personal waste. 

Shop your home collection

#shopmystash is one of the best beauty trends to come around. We love this concept because it not only helps the environment and your budget by reintroducing you to products you already own but then it short circuits the buying-new-before-use-old cycle. When you think about it, that’s a big impact right there. You can cut back on your purchases and get more value out of what you already own. 

Another way to shop your stash is to stop buying travel-sized products and simply refill travel containers with your favorite products.

Donate used and unused products

While donating used cosmetics is not a safe practice, you might find that your close friends and family would love to have that blush you tried once or those freebies you got that you never opened because you didn’t want them in the first place. 

If you’ve never used or even opened a cosmetic, then there’s probably a few great charities that would love to take them off your hands.

Multi-tasking products

Do your products have more than one use that you can take advantage of? Sometimes those uses aren’t spelled out on the label, but you still get terrific results. 

Try using your serum to soften and nourish your cuticles, add that same serum to your favorite lotion for out-of-this-world results, or substitute your mask for a pomade. Get creative and find different ways to use the products you love.

Get every drop

Don’t give up just yet – there’s probably at least another day’s worth of makeup stuck inside the container. Try some hacks for making the most of your makeup and discover new ways to use the last drop and save “ruined” makeup. And as a side note, hack #2 in the article is easy to do with Hair La Vie’s packaging for our Shampoo and Conditioner. 

Be eco-minded

As you use up your old stash and are ready to buy new stuff, look for products that are all-natural and designed to be recycled or refilled. This is a big trend in the beauty business, and it’s definitely a great step forward for the environment. It can also save you money, so it’s worth making the change.

How Hair La Vie is helping

Hair La Vie is doing our part to help you reduce your beauty product waste and to support our environment. All of our bottles are recyclable, and we’ve switched to lower-impact packaging for our Shampoo, Conditioner, and Mask. 

In addition, our Foundation Beauty Elixir bag uses 86% less plastic than traditional tubs. We’re dedicated to creating products you can feel good about using. We also want you to make the most of our products and love every last drop.

Final thoughts

Cutting down on your beauty products doesn’t mean giving up a beauty routine or going “naked.” It’s actually a way to get more out of the products you genuinely love and the ones that work best for you. While you’re doing that, you’re going to discover you’re wasting less money, and you’ll feel good about doing your part for the environment.

The first step in stopping beauty waste is using the products you already own. Skip the temptation to buy new products you already own and follow every trend that comes along. If you have extra products, give the unused or slightly used stuff to your friends and family, and you’ll be more attuned to what you have. When it’s time to replace an item, look for an eco-friendly version that will make less of an impact on the environment.

After a few months of diligence, you’ll see that your beauty supply load is less of a burden and that you’re looking and feeling better because you’re using stuff that works while doing your part to eliminate waste.