There is a growing consensus among millennials to be more conscious with their fashion and beauty purchases. Sustainable fashion and clean beauty trends are a welcome change in how we consume — it is better for the environment and economical too. One way you can really make a difference on an individual level is to repurpose beauty product packaging instead of throwing them away.

These packagings are created with equal amounts of effort and care and can last much longer than the original product in them. Also, if you are not recycling them, which some brands have started to do, here are some fun ways to repurpose them instead...

 

01. Dropper bottles

01. Dropper bottles

Empty dropper bottles that previously housed potent serums or face oils are a great little storage unit to have around the house. You can save your own oil blends, tinctures, food garnishing in them. They can also be used as a travel helper to carry essential oil infusions for skin and hair. A little bit of acetone will get rid of the label right away!

 

02. Mascara tubes

02. Mascara tubes

Once your product is over or too dried up to be used, it can be cleaned with a little pipe cleaner brush dipped in soapy water mixed with alcohol. Make sure to clean out the wand too — a little bit of elbow grease will do the trick. As for what you use the empty mascara tube for — store a mix of castor and avocado oil and use it as a lash lengthening treatment.

 

03. Compact cases

03. Compact cases

Empty compact cases are made to keep their compressed contents safe from air exposure. Once over, they can be home to your DIY lip balms, a recipe for which goes as follows: Melt organic, cold-pressed coconut oil, beeswax and any food-grade essential oil of your choice and pour in the compact container. You can add organic shea butter or any kind of plant-based tint in it for added colour as well. Let set and use for hydrated and plump lips!

 

04. Lipsticks

04. Lipsticks

Once you are done with your lipsticks, their empty tubes can be used as containers to store tiny items in your purse. Keep losing bobby pins? Stack a couple in the lipstick tube. It can also be used to hold small hair ties and safety pins that may be needed for a wardrobe emergency.

Pro tip: To clean out a lipstick tube, dip a cotton bud in makeup remover and scrape any remaining product. Wash with soapy water and leave to dry.

 

05. Cream containers

05. Cream containers

Ever wonder why pricey face creams come in fat, glass containers and are difficult to crack? It is to protect the potent formula inside as best as it can! Don’t throw them away once they are over; instead, use them to store pre-soaked toner/makeup remover pads. Clean out the containers and stash them with cotton pads. Then add your favourite toner or makeup remover to the stack and voila!