As the weather gets warmer, and our skirts get shorter, it becomes time for our annual ritual of spring-cleaning. However, spring-cleaning does not only include closets, drawers, rooms, and desks, it also includes your beauty items! Let’s start with your make-up bag.
If you are like me, chances are you never throw make-up away, but you should! Make-up does have an expiration date, and this should be the first clue when it comes to deciding what to toss.
· POWDERS AND SHADOWS: two years after opening
· CREAM-BASED SHADOWS: 1 to 1½ years
· EYE LINER: 1 year
· FOUNDATION AND CONCEALER: 6 months to 1 year
· LIP STICK: 2 years or if it dries out before that
· LIP GLOSS 1 year or if it gets too sticky
· MASCARA: 3 months or until clumpy or smelly
· LOTOIN: 2 years or until it looses scent or begins changing color
· NAIL POLISH: 1-2 years
So if these products are past their expiration dates TOSS THEM.
A way to increase the longevity and sanitation of make-up is to clean make-up brushes regularly. Here is how:
1. Find a sponge (or washcloth) and baby shampoo
2. Wet sponge with lukewarm water and add a drop of shampoo
3. Wet brush under running water, and make sure to saturate all bristles
4. Swirl brush bristles around on sponge until a lather is worked up on the brush
5. Completely rinse brush until it no longer feels slimy
6. Squeeze excess water into the sink
7. Leave to air dry over night by laying them flat on a clean towel.
Ok, so now you are rid of old make-up and dirty brushes. It is time to reorganize. This is my favorite way of keeping things straight in my make-up drawer.
· Keep brushes, tools, eyeliners, lip liners, and lipsticks in cups that are easily accessible
· Use creative tins, pails, boxes to separate eye shadow from powders from foundation and so on.
· Lay loose powders on their sides so the colors are easily visible
· Place everyday items in their own separate box