Axiology: Good on Your Lips and Your Conscience

If you’re a frequent shopper in beauty stores, you’ve probably noticed how those little plastic tubes and palettes can start to pile up at home. Avoiding plastic pollution can be a challenge, especially while trying to secure the products that help you look your best. One company has taken on this challenge, and while every makeup company focuses on making you look good, this one helps you feel good about your purchases, too. 

Axiology was founded by Ericka Rodriguez when she set out to create makeup that was both vegan and cruelty-free. Not only did her products achieve both of those qualities, but today they are also plastic-free. Axiology’s boxes are made by a women’s cooperative in Bali who repurpose paper waste. The recycled packaging gives the brand a fun, fresh look.  

Boxes of Balmies  

Axiology’s Balmies are crayons that can stand in for multiple beauty products. The crayons can be used to add color to eyes, lids, and cheeks. The “naked” Balmies appear much smaller than your average lipstick but contain a comparable amount of product at .12 oz. There are a variety of pink and red shades with cute names like Sorbet and Rosé to choose from. The Balmie Duo Set contains two crayons in a cool, little matchbox and comes in three combination options. I tried out the Cherry and Strawberry set. The Cherry is a pretty, deep red while the Strawberry is a bolder, rusty shade. Both options would be a good lip choice for date night or to add a little color to cheeks over a foundation or moisturizer. 

Paper Push Tubes

Another thoughtful container that Axiology uses is a push tube made from recycled paper. The brand’s Color Cream Multi-Sticks come in these tubes. The sticks are made from ten natural ingredients and have a smooth, silky finish. They also can be used on eyes, lids, and cheeks and come in several colors. The Loyalty shade is gorgeous. It’s a light rose color that can be worn casually and would be a great fit for an office look. The Multi-Sticks also come in Tinted Dew shades. These are more sheer. I tried out the plummy Infinite shade on my lips, lids, and cheeks, and it added a light, lovely pink color providing a healthy glow.   

With Plastic Free July right around the corner, consumers may be looking for more earth-friendly products. This is one area Axiology really shines. The company has plenty of plastic-free options, and all the products can be found on the company’s website.

Amy Hamblen

After spending over a decade in New York, Amy Hamblen is still impressively bad at giving directions around the city. Fortunately, not knowing one's exact whereabouts creates the opportunity to stumble into new places, so what she lacks in navigational skills, she makes up for with an abundance of solid happy hour recommendations. Amy is originally from Indiana, and whether or not her years spent covering the food and entertainment scene in NYC has earned her a seat at the table may be debatable, but it's of little consequence — she much prefers a stool at the bar.