Helpful Makeup Tips from a Professional

It can be difficult as a college student to keep everything in order. Makeup is another one of those things that can clutter your life and of course, your drawers and cabinets. Makeup artist/stylist Michele Raines at Tyler Mason in Indianapolis has some helpful tips on how to keep your makeup off your worry list, and know when it’s time to throw it out and move on.
 
The perfect place
 
 For small spaces, Raines suggests a good makeup bag for the bulk of your products. If you have any extra space, check out your kitchen appliance or school supply aisle and get creative.
 
“I would look for a pencil cup to put my brushes in,” Raines says.
 
If you have some free counter space, a lazy Susan would work for all of your bottles. Cleansers, lotions, and perfumes will be easy to reach on this turntable.
 
Clear some space
 
Don’t let makeup sit in your collection for too long. It takes up space, and it’s probably unsanitary to use.
 
According to Raines, mascara is the number one item to replace. Plan on retiring your tube of choice every three months.
 
“If you notice that your eyes are watering while applying your mascara, it could mean that your mascara is causing that irritation,” Raines says. She also says those who wear contacts should be extra careful with their eye makeup.
 
Eye shadows are usable for six months to a year, and lipsticks usually have a seasonal lifespan. Put them away so that you have more room in your daily collection.
 
If you really have limited space, Raines suggests getting rid of the big things.
 
“I would say that people tend to hold onto palettes for a long time. You hold onto a whole palette for that one eye shadow color,” Raines says.
 
If you haven’t used something for more than a year, it’s probably safe to throw it away.
 
Get the most for your dollars

 
One great thing about makeup is that it can be versatile.
 
Raines suggests using your favorite eye shadow for eyeliner.
 
“If you use an eyeliner brush, you can make any type of eyeliner that you want,” Raines says. When using an eyeliner brush, you can use it wet or dry – it’s really your preference.
 
A light brown eye shadow can be used to fill in eyebrows, without looking unnatural.
 
A cream blush can also be used as a lip color and a creamy eye shadow. Try dabbing a bit of your lipstick or gloss on your cheeks for a dewy blush.
 
“It’s all about blending,” says Raines about each of these dual products.
 
Protect your investment
 
If you are looking to get the most out of your collection, keeping things clean will go a long way. Pads that come inside compacts can harbor germs. Raines suggests throwing them out and sticking to your brushes.
 
Keep a spray bottle filled with rubbing alcohol on hand for quick cleans. Spraying a little bit onto a towel and patting it onto your brushes is a quick drying technique.
 
As a general rule, Raines suggests cleaning brushes with soap and water every couple of weeks. You can leave them out to try over night, and they’ll be good to go in the morning.
 
Also, make sure to keep your makeup from sitting inside your car.
 
“Extreme hot and cold temperatures can damage liquid makeup’s, making them unusable,” Raines says.