Adorn Cosmetics Sustainability Profile

The Adorn Cosmetics Mission is simple; create guilt-free beauty that's kinder for animals, people, and the planet. We do this by being the first Australian beauty brand to produce refillable (vegan and cruelty-free) natural makeup and skincare eliminating single-use beauty plastics and product packaging from landfill. Adorn also pioneered beauty products sold ‘naked’ without outer boxes or plastic seals in 2008.

Adorn Cosmetics: A Legacy of Sustainable Beauty
 
Since its inception in 2008, Adorn Guilt-free Cosmetics has been at the forefront of reimagining the beauty industry, led by our visionary founder - Briony Kennedy. Her mission? To minimise the beauty industry's impact on our planet by innovating a traditionally wasteful industry with sustainable and ethical options for how customers buy, use, and dispose of product packaging. Over the past 17 years, Adorn has meticulously crafted a guilt-free brand that champions a kinder, more planet-friendly approach to beauty. Here’s how we do it.
 
Our Six Pillars of Guilt-free Sustainable Beauty
 
At Adorn, our commitment to sustainability spans six critical areas: Production, Product, People, (Advancement, Necessity, Development), Delivery, and Disposal. This holistic approach ensures that every decision we make is guided by the principle of creating premium cosmetics with minimal impact on our planet.
 
1. Production
From day one, Adorn has championed the concept of ‘prevention rather than cure.’ We believe that recycling should not be the only solution. Instead, our goal is to avoid waste altogether. By adopting small batch production, we ensure that products are created in targeted quantities, minimising waste and preventing unsold stock from ending up in landfills. Our commitment to local manufacturing further reduces environmental impact and supports local communities.
 
2. Product
Adorn pioneered refillable makeup in 2009 and skincare refills in 2011. Our refillable products encourage the reuse of our packaging, reducing the need for manufacturing new materials. Refill pouches also require less protective padding and packing materials for delivery and take up less space (fitting into just an envelope) which additionally reduces emissions by requiring less transportation and less warehouse storage. 
 
3. People
We are deeply committed to ethical practices and ensuring that every person involved in our supply chain is treated with fairness and respect. This ethical commitment is reflected in our local manufacturing practices and our dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for our team.
 
4. AND (Advancement, Necessity, Development)
Our approach focuses on advancing sustainable practices, ensuring that every product and packaging type we develop meets our rigorous standards for necessity and environmental impact. By encouraging the reuse of products and innovating in product development, we continuously refine our practices to align with our sustainability goals.
 
5. Delivery
Our environmental consciousness extends to our delivery processes. We use envelopes where possible and our biodegradable plastic postal bags and recycled paper gift wrap can be reused. Reusable delivery materials not only reduce packaging waste but also optimise delivery efficiency by minimising the space our parcels occupy in the delivery network, which in turn reduces fuel consumption.
 
6. Disposal
For products that cannot be refilled, we offer the Adorner Recycle Program in collaboration with Terracycle. This initiative allows our customers to return used products for recycling, ensuring that even the end-of-life phase of our products is handled in an environmentally responsible manner and upcycled into other products.
 
Leading with Innovation and Responsibility
 
Adorn Cosmetics has made a significant impact with our pioneering efforts. We were the first Australian cosmetics brand to offer makeup and skincare samples for sale, reducing the likelihood of incorrect purchases and the associated waste. Our build-your-own custom product options allow customers to select shades and personalise their purchases, reducing excess and preventing waste.
 
While we have chosen to focus on online retail, avoiding the environmental impact of in-store sales, we have also embraced the challenge of limiting excess stock and unnecessary transportation. By selling directly to our customers, we ensure that every product is used and valued, further reducing waste.
 
A Legacy of Commitment
 
These meaningful steps, taken over the past 15 years, form the backbone of the Adorn Cosmetics brand. Our journey is a testament to our unwavering dedication to creating beautiful cosmetics while preserving the planet. As we continue to innovate and refine our practices, we remain committed to leading the beauty industry toward a more sustainable and ethical future.
At Adorn Cosmetics, every decision is a step towards a greener, more beautiful world. Join us on this journey, and together, let’s redefine beauty with a conscience.