Beauty buffs are shopping for cosmetics with the three Rs in mind: reduce, reuse and refill

Being a beauty buff and doing your part for the planet can often seem at odds with one another. All those tubes, pots and bottles storing everything from fragrances to foundation have flooded landfills for decades.
Cosmetics, skincare and scent companies are attempting to course correct and get on a greener path by offering refillable products. Options range from the luxe (Dior Addict’s tactile, logo-wrapped silver case concealing a mirror) to the more approachable (Cheekbone’s versatile makeup-holding rounds).
Toronto-based makeup artist Wendy Rorong says refillable cosmetics are a boon for her business. “I go through a lot of products so I’m so happy that brands are starting to sell only refills for my favourites,” she says. “It’s definitely a more economical solution, but also more sustainable.”
The aesthetic potential of refill packaging also allows cosmetics companies to pursue collectable artistic and brand collaborations, such as Guerlain’s new limited edition Guerlain x Pucci collection including a lipstick case for its recently relaunched Rouge G. The groovy reusable tube looks like something you’d dream of stumbling upon at an estate sale in 40 years.
It’s not just blush, eyeshadow and brow pencils that can be refilled these days. Favourite fragrances can be topped up in store as can all manner of skincare products including Youth To The People’s Kale Superfood Face Cleanser and Charlotte Tilbury’s supermodel-approved Magic Cream. The dense moisturizer’s refill resembles a coffee pod that pops into the cream’s rose gold-lidded jar.
The London-based brand’s airbrush powder, which Rorong describes as a makeup artist’s “kit staple,” is a must-buy on her list this fall. She notes that items like this aren’t only appealing because of their eco-minded functionality, but also because they don’t take up as much room in a makeup bag, which is especially helpful for travel. “Less waste and less weight,” she says, “is always good for me.”
Clockwise from left: Gucci Poudre de Beauté Mat Naturel Face Powder compact including powder, $86, powder refill, $65 at Holt Renfrew (holtrenfrew.com). Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream jar including cream, $135, cream refill, $122 through charlottetilbury.com. Guerlain Rouge G lipstick case, $48, lipstick bullet, $52 through guerlain.com. Le Rouge 31 case including lipstick, $205, lipstick refill, $95 at Chanel (chanel.com).
From left: Byredo All-In-One refillable brow pencil with refills, $55 through ssense.com. Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Blush compact including blush, $60, blush refill, $40 through esteelauder.ca. Christian Louboutin SooooO…Glow Refillable Lipstick case, $70, lipstick refill, $60 at Holt Renfrew (holtrenfrew.com). Dior Addict lipstick case, $42, Hydrating Shine Lipstick refill, $49 at Dior (dior.com). Cheekbone Beauty Courage Cream Lip and Cheek, $27, Eco Refills, from $16 through cheekbone.beauty.com.
From left: Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette, $155/100 ml, 300 ml refill, $310 at Dior (dior.com). Ombres d’Hermès eye shadow quartet, $140, refill, $89 at Hermès (hermès.com). Nars Explicit Lipstick, $54, refill, $32 through narscosmetics.ca. Clé de Peau Beauté Eye Colour Quad Case, $45, refill, $72 at Holt Renfrew (holtrenfrew).
Styling by Odessa Paloma Parker. Sets and prop styling by Dani Reynolds at Cadre Artists. Photo assistant: Ness DeVos. Styling assistant: Leah Gust.