So you’re going cruelty free… what now?

Since you have found yourself reading this blog post, there is a good chance you exclusively use cruelty free makeup products. Or maybe you are looking to make the switch—that’s great news! We have two excellent resources for those interested in transitioning their beauty routine to one that doesn’t harm animals: an article on How To Go Cruelty Free and a list of 10 Reasons To Go Cruelty Free. Whether you recently made the lifestyle change or you have already adopted this method for some time, you may still have some leftover beauty products from companies that are not so ethical. Should you continue to use them? Should you just throw them out?

Let’s tackle the first question: should you continue to use these products? The answer to this comes down to your own personal beliefs. Some hard-earned cash was undoubtedly spent on these products, especially if they are high-end brands such as MAC or Benefit. You could use them until they run out or expire, and just choose to not repurchase or support those brands anymore. However, if you do continue to wear that lipstick or apply that eyeshadow, someone walking down the street or scrolling through Instagram may find it appealing and want to know what it is. If you tell them that it’s L’Oreal or another brand of that sort, they might not be conscious or even caring of the implications of animal testing and go out and purchase that for themselves. By wearing products that test on animals, you could be considered a walking advertisement for that brand, only putting more dollars in their pockets.

If you choose not to continue to use them, where should they go? Dumping liquids down the drain or just throwing them into the trash to be carted off into a landfill is definitely not the most ideal (or safe) option. Considering the chemicals used in some makeup items, pouring them down the drain could be hazardous and contaminating to water. If the products were just recently purchased or only slightly used, a viable option is to always try to return them to the seller. Ulta and Sephora, two of the biggest makeup suppliers, both have excellent return policies. Even if the items are opened or used, you can return them within 60 days of purchase with your receipt, no questions asked. If you don’t have your receipt anymore, it is still worth a try to see if they will accept them—however there are no guarantees without that little piece of paper. If you purchased them directly from a brand, look into their return policies online, or call their customer service to see if you can get your money back.

Another great option is to call your local homeless or women’s shelters to see if they will accept used makeup products. If you are worried about sanitation, there are methods to clean used makeup products like eyeliners and lipsticks that many shelters around the country utilize. Foundations and mascaras are a little trickier to clean, unfortunately, but you can still inquire about if they would be willing to take them. We have the privilege of being able to purchase makeup and choose which companies we want to support, those living in shelters would be grateful to have any kind of cosmetics.

If your local shelter won’t accept makeup, there are numerous organizations nationwide that accept donated cosmetics. Project Beauty Share and Give & Makeup are two nonprofit organizations that accept used makeup, skincare, and haircare products. Project Beauty Share distributes beauty products through other nonprofits that serve women and families battling addiction, homelessness, and poverty. Give & Makeup will also accept clothing, toiletries, and various toys to send to families in need. Beauty Bus Foundation, Family-to-Family, and Cosmetics for a Cause will accept unused and sealed makeup products for donation purposes. Beauty Bus Foundation provides products and services to chronically or terminally ill patients, Family-to-Family delivers goods to women in homeless and domestic violence shelters, and Cosmetics for a Cause was started by a young woman when she was still in high school, having now donated over $1.5 million in beauty products to those in need. It’s possible that you may want to earn some of your money back, especially if you are unable to return the items to the seller. Glambot is a website that will send you cash in exchange for beauty products, even gently used ones. Swapidu is a service that allows users to buy, sell, or even swap cosmetics. Depop and Poshmark are also two reliable apps where users can sell makeup and other goods, although they are primarily used for clothing. If you are feeling crafty, you can always check out Pinterest for some fun DIY art designs to make use out of your old cosmetics, like the examples on this list!

If a product is almost empty, you can take a paper towel or some kind of cloth to clean out the remaining liquid and throw it out as dumping it down the drain could be hazardous. If your local recycling center does not accept the kind of material it is packaged in, Origins takes empty product containers from any brand when brought to any of their retail locations. According to their website, Origins has recycled more than 34,000 pounds of packaging since this program’s inception in 2009. Another incredible option for old makeup can apply to those who also use cruelty free: Wands for Wildlife, a program initiated by the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, takes old mascara wands to remove fly eggs and larva out of the fur of wild animals, such as this opossum pictured from their rescue! All that you have to do is wash your mascara wand in warm soapy water to remove any leftover product before mailing them out. They also have a wishlist of other necessary supplies as well as t-shirts you can purchase to show your support!

Even if the brands you used to purchase from were not so ethical, you can still find a way to give back to your community, the environment, and society as a whole with your unwanted makeup. Choosing to purchase only cruelty free beauty products makes your love for animals transcend dialogue and enter into your lifestyle. Living cruelty free means more than supporting brands that don’t test on animals, it also signifies a dedication to doing all that you can to make a positive change in the future of animals’ wellbeing and the wellbeing of our planet. What will you do with your old makeup? Let us know in the comments, or feel free to send us an email if you have any questions!