Best Zero Waste Makeup Brands in the UK for Sustainable Beauty

Facetheory are known for their expert skincare line, and now you can give your makeup bag a revamp with their exciting collection of cruelty-free, vegan makeup and makeup accessories to keep your skin looking flawless all day long. Discover their velvet-finish foundation in a range of carefully formulated shades, or add a pop of colour with our ultra-pigmented blusher. Whether you prefer a natural look or full coverage, there's something for every makeup lover.

Range: 

• Face - Ultraglide Silicone-Free Face Primer, Foundation, Loose Powder, Blusher, Glow (Shimmer & Highlighter)
• Lips - Lip Colour
• Vegan Makeup Brush Set & Eyelash Curlers
• Professional Skincare 

Price Range: £15.00 - £18.00

Made in: UK

Vegan & Cruelty-Free: Yes

Packaging: 100% recyclable aluminium tubes, or glass pots with aluminium lid

Key Ingredients: 

• Various (all free from parabens, silicones, PEGs, SLS, SLES and mineral oils)

Reasons to love:

• 100% recyclable packaging
• Plastic free aluminium tubes
• 5* reviews and an award-winning foundation

Kjaer Weis is a luxury sustainable brand with a pioneering refill system, founded by Danish-born makeup artist Kirsten Kjaer who lives in New York City. Working for brands like Vogue, Elle and Marie Claire, Kirsten found that people were sacrificing the health of their skin by using irritating synthetic makeup so she wanted to create a line of high-performing, organic and luxury cosmetics to revolutionise the natural beauty market.

Range: 

• Face - Liquid Foundation, Cream Foundation, Concealer, Powder, Powder Bronzer, Cream Blush, Powder Highlighter, Cream Glow, Flush & Glow Duo
• Eyes - Cream Eye Shadow, Quadrant, Brow Gel, Eye Shadow, Eye Pencil, Lengthening Mascara, Volumizing Mascara
• Lips - Lipstick, Liquid Lipstick, Lip Gloss, Lip Pencil, Lip Tint, Lip Balm
• Skincare, Tools & Kits

Price Range: £22.00 - £65.00

Made in: Italy

Vegan & Cruelty-Free: Cruelty-free, but not vegan as they use beeswax 

Packaging: Refill system for most products with card-based 'Red' cases or 'Iconic' silver cases

Key Ingredients:

• Shea butter, Root of Light (dioscorea batatas), gardenia extract, rosehip seed oil, rosemary extract, spilanthes acmella flower extract, sweet almond oil, vanilla
• Almost all products have been Certified Natural or Certified Organic

Reasons to love:

• Sustainable refills available for almost all products
• Formulated with the highest quality natural and organic ingredients
• High-performance makeup that adds luxury to your beauty routine
• European orders are shipped via GLS from their warehouse in Denmark, reducing emissions

Love The Planet is an award winning brand bringing you a beautiful collection of plastic free makeup. All their products are bismuth free as it can cause skin irritation in many people. They offer refills for all their range of loose mineral makeup.

Range: 

• Mineral Powders - Foundation, Concealer, Setting Powder, Blusher, Eyeshadow
• Skincare - Reusable Cleansing Pads

Price Range: £2.25 - £24.00

Made in: UK

Vegan & Cruelty-Free: Yes

Packaging:   Refillable and 100% recyclable aluminium tin

Key Ingredients: 

• Kaolin - natural clay with antibacterial qualities, protects from sun and free radicals, promotes skin renewal
• Titanium Dioxide - sun protective mineral, reduces appearance of fine lines
• Zinc Oxide - natural pigment, sun protective, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic
• Mica - reduces fine lines and pores

Reasons to love:

• Zero waste refills
• Plastic free, refillable and reyclable aluminium tins
• Multi-award-winning - 4 awards at the Green Parent Magazine Natural Beauty Awards

PHB Ethical Beauty are a pioneering family-run company with the world's largest collection of natural, vegan and alcohol-free beauty products. They have a dedicated zero waste packaging makeup range and most of their other range is made from recycled materials and is fully recyclable.

Range: 

• Face - Pressed Mineral Foundation, Loose Mineral Foundation, Liquid Foundation, BB Cream, Tinted Moisturiser, Mineral Blush, Mineral Bronzer, Glow Powder, Matte Powder, Contour Powder, Mineral Highlighter, Organic Concealer
• Eyes - Brow Powder, Mineral Eyeshadow, Lash & Brow Growth Serum, All in One Natural Mascara, Mesmerise Mascara
• Lips - Tinted Lip Balm, Organic Lipstick, Organic Lip Crayon
• Skincare and Vegan Makeup Brushes

Price Range: £1.50-£52.00

Made in: UK and Canada

Vegan & Cruelty-Free: Yes

Packaging: Zero waste and plastic free range packaged in cardboard paper, other products have high recyclability and clear guidelines on their website

Key Ingredients:

• 100% natural and Vegan Society Registered, Certified Halal with a variety of Organic Certified ingredients
• All products are free from: Nano Particles, Bismuth Oxychloride, Talc, Formaldehyde, Fillers, GM Ingredients, Animal Ingredients, Parabens, SLS, DEA, TEA, PEG, Alcohol (ethyl alcohol, ethanol), Artificial perfumes/fragrance, Petrochemicals, Methylisothiazolinone, Phthalates, Colourants, Silicone, Mineral oils and Propylene Glycol

Reasons to love:

• 100% natural cosmetics
• 20% of profits go to charities that improve the lives of people and animals
• They've won over 25 awards in 5 years
• Most of their face cosmetics have added SPF

Originating in New Zealand, Ethique are a climate positive Certified B Corp who donate 2% of sales to charity, and are Orangutan Alliance Palm Oil Free Certified. So far they've created zero waste lib balms and lipsticks, but are continuously expanding their range. All UK orders are dispatched from their plastic-free distribution centre in Leeds.

Range:

• Lips - Lip Balm, Lipstick

Price Range: £6.50 - £15.00

Made in: New Zealand

Vegan & Cruelty-Free: Yes

Packaging: Home compostable tube 

Key Ingredients:

• Moringa oil, castor oil, carnauba wax,  cacao butter, jojoba oil

Reasons to love:

• Certified palm oil free
• 1 tree planted for every order
• 100% plastic free home compostable packaging
• Fair trade ingredients

Zao Makeup are an eco conscious brand that use 90% less plastic than most other makeup brands due to their use of bamboo packaging and refill system. Their products are 100% natural and certified organic and suitable for sensitive skin.

Range: 

• Face - Primers, Foundation, BB Cream, Blush, Bronzer, Finishing Powders & Highlighters
• Eyes - Eyeliners, Brows, Mascaras, Eyeshadows 
• Lips - Balms, Glosses, Polishes, Lipsticks
• Nails, Brushes, Accessories & Makeup Remover

Price Range: £5.95 - £52.00

Made in: Europe (pencils in Czech Republic, nail polishes & makeup removers in France, all other products in Italy)

Vegan & Cruelty-Free:   Yes

Packaging:   Bamboo compacts, cardboard envelopes, some refills packaged in recyclable PET

Key Ingredients:

• Natural formulas with active organic ingredients including bamboo powder which is rich in organic silica to boost skin collagen and micronised silver powder which works as an antibacterial skin antiseptic and preservative

Reasons to love:

• All products are refillable (apart from pencils, nail polishes and Mineral Touch eyeshadows)
• All refills are recyclable
• Certified by PETA as vegan and cruelty-free
• Eco Box scheme allows you to return plastic parts and empty bags for recycling

Zao Discount Code:   10% off £50 spend at Plastic Freedom with ZEROWASTEDUK

Axiology creates award-winning zero waste 3-in-1 lip, cheek and eye balms. All of them are 100% vegan and come in a variety of colours and finishes. The natural formulation brings many benefits including protection from free radicals and UV damage, deep moisturisation and repair of dry, damaged skin. 

Range: 

• Lip Cheek and Eye - Multi-use Balmies

Price Range: £11.00 - £26.00

Made in: Awaiting a reply

Vegan & Cruelty-Free: Yes

Packaging: Recycled paper wrap and recycled paper boxes 

Key Ingredients:

• Castor oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, orange oil, neem oil, elderberry extract, vitamin E, candelilla wax, plum seed oil, sunflower seed oil, hemp seed oil, coconut oil, moringa oil, kokum butter, soy butter 

Reasons to love:

• Their 3-in-1 Balmies are 100% plastic free and zero waste
• Dontates to animal welfare organisations

Odylique produce organic and fairtrade cosmetics and beauty products that use zero synthetic chemicals. Founded thirty years ago with the aim to produce the purest cosmetics possible for the most sensitive and allergy-prone skin.

Range: 

• Face - Mineral Concealer
• Eyes - Organic Eyeliner Pencil, Organic Mascara, Organic Mineral Eyeshadow
• Lips - Organic Mineral Lipstick, Organic Lip Liner
• Skin Care, Hair Care, Sun Care, Mum & Baby, Aromatherapy

Price Range: £8.50-£27.00

Made in: Europe (pencils in Czech Republic, nail polishes & makeup removers in France, all other products in Italy)

Vegan & Cruelty-Free: Cruelty-free, but not vegan as they use organic beeswax and honey

Key Ingredients:

• 100% natural (zero synthetic ingredients), virgin and cold-pressed plant oils, herbs and essentail oils, Certified Soil Association Organic
• All products free from: Artificial Colour, Artificial Fragrance, Artificial Preservatives, Microplastics, Palm Oil, Petroleum or Mineral Oils, Wheat, Dairy, Soya Derivatives, Peanut Oil Sesame, Tree Nut Oils, Metals, Sulphates

Reasons to love:

• All natural and Certified Soil Association organic 
• All packaging recyclable
• Voted most ethical makeup brand by Ethical Consumer Magazine

Odylique Discount Code:       Get 20% off with ZEROWASTED

Benecos was founded in 2008 in the heart of Germany. The goal was to create an affordable, cruelty-free and organic cosmetics brand to make natural and ethical makeup more accessible to everyone. We recommend their low waste refillable 'Beauty ID' range which are perfect for mixing and matching to create a custom palette suited to you.

Range: 

• IT Pieces Palette Refills - Face Powder, Eyeshadow, Highlighter, Contour, Bronzer, Blush 
• Beauty ID Palette Refills - Lip & Cheek Balm, Bronzer, Eyeshadow, Blush, Contour, Highlighter
• Face - CC Concealer, Bronzer, Blush, Compact Powder, Concealer, Mineral Powder, BB Cream, Face Primer, Foundation Stick, Liquid Foundation
• Eyes - Eyebrow Gel, Mascara, Eyebrow Pencil, Kajal Pencil, Liquid Eyeliner, Quattro Eyeshadow
• Lips - Balm, Lip Colour, Lipstick, Gloss, Lipliner
• Nails, Accessories, Skincare, Haircare, Mens and Gift Sets

Price Range: £2.45-£29.95

Made in: EU (Germany, Austria, Italy)

Vegan & Cruelty-Free: Cruelty-free, but not all products are vegan as they use beeswax

Packaging: IT-pieces refills packed in recycled paper, and the majority of other cosmetic packaging is recyclable

Key Ingredients:

• BDIH Certified Natural Cosmetics  (apart from nail polishes), most products are COSMOS Organic Certified

Reasons to love:

• Affordable and COSMOS Organic certified 
• It-Pieces refills reduce waste and creates a customised palette

LOVE THE PLANET 

Loose Mineral Foundation

This high-pigmented mineral foundation is a zero waste gem as it comes in a plastic free refillable aluminium tin or you can just use your own pot and just opt for a refill. They also offer samples so you can get the shade just right. 

£12.00

10g refill (£1.20 per g)

LOVE THE PLANET

Mineral Concealer

Help redness, dark circles and blemishes to disappear with our popular mineral concealers! Use a concealer brush to build until you reach your desired coverage. Available in 2 shades and suitable for sensitive skin.

£9.00

6g refill (£1.50 per g)

PHB ETHICAL BEAUTY

Mineral Bronzer+SPF15

Semi-translucent for a natural look and light and silky on the skin with organic jojoba to hydrate skin and prevent dryness. This bronzer can also be used to contour the face or used as an eyeshadow. In 3 flattering shades that work on all skin tones.

£14.95

9g (£1.66 per g)

KJAER WEIS

Flush & Glow Duo

A creamy duo of their best selling cream blush and highlighter or bronzer for adding a warm dewy radiance to cheeks. With rosehip and sweet almond oil this award-winning brand is the best for luxury organic cosmetics. Available in 4 different colours.

£28.00 - £45.00

3.5g (£8 per g)

ETHIQUE

Juciy Lip balm™

Pink grapefruit & vanilla lip balm made from all natural ingredients in 100% plastic free and home compostable packaging. Good for the planet, for people and of course, for your lips. They do a range of balms including a tinted version. 

£6.50 

9g (72p per g)

AXIOLOGY

The Balmies Trio - Cotton Candy Skies

These zero waste beauties do it all - eyes, lips, cheeks and even highlighter. A hydrating balm-like formula, they give an instant dewy glow. Contains 3 shades: Champagne (shimmer), Sorbet and Rosé (semi-matte).

£29.00

10.2g (£2.84 per g)

ETHIQUE

Zero Waste Lipstick

The purest vegan lipsticks made with 100% natural ingredients that are certified palm oil free. Infused with Moringa oil, vitamin E and Macadamia oil, and available in 7 shades.

£15.00

8g (£1.87 per g)

PHB ETHICAL BEAUTY

All in One Natural Mascara

Multi award-winning mascara with 5 star reviews, this all natural and water-resistant formula lengthens, thickens and volumises and is adored by beauty experts. Great for eyes that water easily.

Get 10% OFF at Origins of Beauty with code ZEROWASTED

£16.95

9g (£1.77 per g)

BENECOS

Natural Kajal Eyeliner Pencil

This pencil is made from natural and organic ingredients and contains no silicones, artificial colours or fragrances. Super affordable and great for sensitive eyes and available in a range of colours.

£3.95

1.13g (£3.49 per g)

ZAO

Refillable Liquid Eyeliner

Designed to suit even the most sesnsitive of eyes, it has key ingredients of aloe vera and bamboo water. Housed in refillable bamboo packaging and available in black, brown, emerald green, plum or electric blue.

£11.75 - 18.95 

4.5g refill (£2.60 per g)

BENECOS

Natural Refill Eyeshadow

These refills are plastic free and packaged in recycled paper. They combine with the Benecos It-Pieces makeup palette, or you could even use the Zao Bamboo palette. Available in 12 shades.

£3.50

1.5g (£2.33 per g)

KJAER WEIS

All of the colour, none of the synthetic ingredients. Bamboo replaces synthetic silicones for a silky, blendable texture, while Honeysuckle Extract naturally stabilizes and preserves. Available in a spectrum of nuanced neutrals and statement-making hues. 

£18.00

5g (£3.60 per g)