This post contains affiliate links. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Zero waste mascara is nearly impossible to find. There’s very few good options for a low-waste mascara… but one company in particular is what jumped out to me. Elate Cosmetics.
Elate Essential Mascara “Zero Waste Mascara” $28.00 CAD
Behind the Brand
Elate Cosmetics was founded by Melodie Reynolds. It is a Canadian company with a focus on creating a natural, healthy and sustainable beauty routine. All of their products are vegan, cruelty-free, made in Canada and packaged sustainably.
About Elate Essential Mascara
The Elate Essential Mascara is available only in black. Packaged in a plastic tube that is surrounded with bamboo. Elate describes it as a one-size fits all mascara; meaning it will last during long days at the office, while working out or just relaxing.
The caveat.
I did a lot of research looking for zero waste mascara and this was often touted as one of the best. However, there is some work before you can recycle it. You cannot simply throw this whole package into the recycling bin.
According to Elate, you can crush the bamboo tube after it is empty and remove the inner plastic packaging. Clean it and then recycle it. The bamboo can be put into the compost and the mascara wand can be sent to Project Wild Wands to be used for wildlife conservation. Therefore, with a little bit of work this can be low-waste.
The Ingredients
Ingredient Safety Key
Safe Ingredient
Ingredient to use with Caution
Unsafe Ingredient
Limited Data
Certified Organic
Aqua (Water), Oryza Sativa Wax (Rice Bran Wax), Olea Europea Fruit Oil (Olive Oil), Vegetable Source Cetyl Alcohol (Coconut), Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba Wax), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla Wax), Vegetable Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Acacia Gum, Black Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Aminomethyl Popandiol (Ph Adjuster), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative)
Note
During research I found that some ingredients can be contaminated with pesticides, mainly Rice Bran Wax. There is no mention of the Elate cosmetics ingredients being organic. Thus there may be some contamination with chemicals within these ingredients.
How Does it Work?
While searching for a zero/low-waste mascara it was incredibly hard to find reviews with what the application (before and after) looked like. Therefore I made a point to include that for you. I do enjoy opinions but also need to see swatches!
The Elate Essential Mascara wears incredibly well. In fact, I would say that the Pure Anada (one of my favourite natural mascaras) and the Elate mascara are par. There has been absolutely no smudging and no flaking with this mascara.
Unlike the Fitglow Goodlash+ the Elate mascara doesn’t provide as much volume, but the wear time and lack of flaking is a clear winner for me.
Worth the price?
If you are looking for a low-waste mascara the Elate Essential Mascara for $28 is probably worth it. However, if you aren’t picky about waste and you just want a good natural mascara I would choose the Pure Anada Mascara which retails for $14 (half the price!)
They both wear extremely well and provide the same results.
Overall, I am extremely impressed with the Elate Cosmetics Essential Mascara. I’ve tried my fair share of natural mascaras (many which were a huge disappointment.) This will not disappoint and I am happy to find something that can reduce my waste.
