Upcycling: Rose Pirate wants to bring old lipstick tubes back to life

The principle is simple: Rose Pirate receives cases of lipsticks that consumers do not want to throw away but whose stick has become unusable. The young shoot takes care of emptying it, sterilizing it and refilling it with its unique formula of 100% natural lip balm. As long as the tube is in good condition, the operation can be repeated infinitely.

To make her project a reality, Audrey Ducardonnet, the founder, has just launched a crowdfunding campaign with the objective of totaling 200 presales by June 7. Objective, to ensure consumers' interest in the project and to verify that they are ready to make an effort, "that of sending their lipstick so that I can refill it".

After a career at Chanel in the laboratory and as head of make-up creation and innovation, the young woman created her own innovation consulting structure to "transform a designer's idea into a concrete product". She makes the link between the creative process and the manufacturing of a product, ensuring its feasibility and that it “works well”. The Rose Pirate project is part of this work of reflection on the future of the cosmetics industry.

Manual operations

To replace the grapes of the lipsticks, it is necessary to carry out several manual operations of calibration, with a cleaning without chemical products. Then comes the sterilization of the tube and the new filling with the balm. Audrey Ducardonnet developed her formula with Michèle Mousset, a formulation expert who has worked for brands like Chanel and Dior.

Most "standard" diameter round tubes can be filled. A check on arrival of the tube makes it possible to check that it is working properly. If this is not the case or if its shape is too complex, the tube is returned to its owner.

On the presales of the crowdfunding, the first 40 pieces are at 12 euros, the rest at 15 euros.

The project targets consumers concerned about the environment, who wish to adopt an upcycling approach “with the desire to consume less but better”. The lip balm is of natural origin and 100% vegan. It is made with cherry stone and sweet potato oil, ingredients with antioxidant properties. An ideal balm for those "who don't want to get rid of their favorite lipstick tube and/or who need to take care of their lips by combining quality and naturalness"!