Apart from the obvious significant ethical implications, it's fashionable to be mindful of waste in today's mass-consumer society. In light of this shift in attitudes and our desire to be more ethically and environmentally conscious, Hairtrade.com have helped us wih a few new year simple but effective tips to remind us not to throw away what we can still use.
Use hot water
If mascara is starting to run out, tightly secure the cap and place it into a bowl of warm water for a couple of minutes.
The heat softens the dry mascara in the bottle, allowing beauty fans to use up every last drop before a new purchase is necessary.
This trick should also work for refreshing nail varnish that has gone gloopy or has a lid that has stiffened up too much.
Store make-up wisely
Pencils need to be kept in a cool, dry place as they may start to melt in warm locations, such as near radiators or in a steam-filled bathroom.
Nail polish, lipstick and perfume could also see their shelf life shortened by warm air, so even consider utilising the fridge for any particularly precious products.
Also make sure all lids are screwed on tightly, caps are secured firmly and any portable items aren’t roughly thrown or dropped in handbags or backpacks.
Rehydrate dry products
The lifespan of an expensive foundation can be extended by mixing in a drop or two of face lotion or alcohol-free toner, which will turn it into more of a tinted moisturiser but still give reasonable coverage.
Adding a small amount of saline solution could, meanwhile, revive dried gel liners, mascaras or creams.
Dried out crumbled powder and lipstick can also be repurposed into coloured lip balms by mixing them with some petroleum jelly in a new container.
Fix snapped lipstick
Working safely and minding fingers, use a match, candle or lighter to heat both the end of a broken off half of lipstick and the top of the tube it came from, so that they begin to melt slightly and soften.
At this point, press the two sections together for a few moments until they cool and firm up, to become a single solid lipstick again.
Repurpose interesting products
If there’s a colour or two on an eye shadow pallet that are never destined to be worn, mix them in a separate container with a clear top coat to create a vibrant nail polish.
Other ways to reuse scraps from make-up bags include mixing the final drops of a bottle of perfume into an unscented body lotion.
Keep everything clean
Cleaning make-up brushes regularly, between weekly and monthly, can extend their life and help make the most of beauty collections.
Rub through the bristles with a soft, conditioning baby shampoo or dish detergent and olive oil to revitalise dirty fashion tools.
Reinvigorate dulling eye shadow with a touch of rubbing alcohol and the bad of a cotton swab to remove residue.
A fine brush and rubbing alcohol could also be used gently to clean remaining mascara, shadow and glue from fake eye lashes, allowing them to be reused.
Don’t waste anything
Cut open tubes and containers to scrape out and use every last bit of product stuck inside rather than buying a replacement immediately.
Use a brush to scrape out any lipstick left behind in solid plastic applicators that can’t be sliced.
To refresh powdered make-up products, lightly press packaging tape against it to remove the strange, hard film that can develop on top.
Crushed or crumbled powder, such as blushers, foundations or eye shadows, can be preserved by pressing a few drops of rubbing alcohol into them.
Mixing a little castor oil into dry mascara could make it last and even stay on a little longer, though it may dilute the strength.
