Expired eyeshadow as art? Old blusher turned into paint? At first glance, it might sound like a stretch — but You Won’t Believe It’s Trash. That’s exactly the message Lendlease malls are sending this season with the return of their annual sustainability campaign, running from 10 July to 31 August 2025.

Now in its fourth edition, this year’s theme, “From Palette to Palette,” takes a bold step into the beauty bin, spotlighting expired makeup as an unexpected but powerful medium for creativity, education, and community impact.

Turning Unwanted Makeup Into Masterpieces

At the heart of the campaign is celebrity makeup artist Elain Lim, who first began experimenting with expired cosmetics as a painting tool during the pandemic. The result? A growing portfolio of richly textured artworks that are both visually stunning and deeply personal. Her debut exhibition will showcase these pieces — all made with discarded makeup — including standout work like “Passage of Time,” an emotional tribute to the women in her family.

And now, Elain is inviting others to join her in this creative transformation. Every weekend from mid-July to the end of August, exclusive workshops will be held at Jem, Parkway Parade, and Paya Lebar Quarter, where Lendlease Plus Members can redeem a spot by spending just $50 at participating malls. Choose between two unique sessions:

Acrylic Painting Workshop, where expired makeup becomes the paint or the Watercolour Palette Workshop, where you’ll craft your own pigment-rich palette to take home

Each workshop is led by Elain herself, offering guidance, technique tips, and a whole lot of inspiration. Every participant also receives a $5 Lendlease e-voucher.

Campaign Dates & Locations:

  • Jem: 10–20 July
  • Parkway Parade: 24 July–3 August
  • 313@somerset: 7–17 August
  • Paya Lebar Quarter: 21–31 August

Give, Shop, And Earn Rewards

Beyond the brushes and canvas, You Won’t Believe It’s Trash also encourages sustainable action in everyday life. Shoppers can drop off unwanted makeup or textiles at the exhibition’s travelling collection machine, earning Lendlease Plus$ in return:

100 Plus$ for every unit of makeup deposited or 2,000 Plus$ for every kilogram of textiles

These collected items will be repurposed — makeup for future art workshops, and textiles passed on to local sustainability partner Cloop for resale or recycling.

Speaking of which, Cloop’s Open Wardrobe thrift pop-up will also be part of the campaign. Fashion lovers can shop pre-loved pieces for just $10 a pop — sustainable, stylish, and all for a good cause.

Silent Auction With Heart

One of the most meaningful aspects of this year’s campaign is the silent charity auction. Artworks created by young artists from ComLink+ families in Jurong West — all mentored by Elain — will be up for bid throughout the campaign. Lendlease Plus Members can earn bidding tokens with every $50 spent at participating malls, giving them a chance to own one of four original pieces, including “Rain Meets The Sun” and “A Peaceful Night.”

Funds raised from the auction will go towards the Gift-A-Family (GAF) initiative, with Lendlease Global Commercial REIT (LREIT) matching winning bid values up to $1,000 per artwork. It’s art for good, powered by community generosity.

More Rewards To Sweeten the Deal

Throughout the campaign, Lendlease Plus Members can also enjoy exclusive perks and promotions, including:

  • 10,000 Plus$ with $150 spent at participating malls
  • 3X Plus$ on weekday spending at 313@somerset
  • SG60 bonus of 6,000 Plus$ at Parkway Parade
  • Dining rewards, new member bonuses, and more

Beyond Beauty: A New Way to See Trash

What makes You Won’t Believe It’s Trash so compelling isn’t just the clever upcycling — it’s the message behind it. That beauty can be redefined. That waste can be a resource. That every lipstick stub or cracked eyeshadow palette still holds potential — not for the face, but for the canvas.

This campaign invites all of us to rethink how we consume, discard, and create. So head down to a Lendlease mall this July and August — and discover for yourself why you really won’t believe it’s trash.

The You Won’t Believe It’s Trash campaign will go on from 10 July – 31 August 2025 at Jem, Parkway Parade, 313@somerset and Paya Lebar Quarter. More info and workshop bookings via the Lendlease Plus app.

Because sustainability can be beautiful, and beauty, surprisingly, can be sustainable.