Makeup Bag Refresh
Let’s all admit it… it’s been a hot second since you have cleaned and organized your cosmetics. right?! Let’s take some time and go through it together! Makeup lesson’s are BY FAR my favorite service. It makes such a big difference in our morning routine so let’s dive right into it and get organized! I have broken down your makeup bag in a few simple steps. If you have any questions after this post, feel free to email me.
The first thing I go through when starting a private makeup lesson is my client’s makeup bag! There is no need to purchase anything twice, and it’s always great to see what you are using regularly and what is hardly being touched. The goal for the next time you’re purchasing makeup is to know what you need. We spend so much money on cosmetics; it’s hard to get rid of items when there is still product left and it’s even harder to know when it’s time to say goodbye.
First things first. Grab all your makeup- Yes, I said ALL. The makeup in your daily makeup bag, makeup in your purse, goodies at the bottom of the drawers, and your tools to apply makeup including brushes and sponges. Have a garbage next to you so it’s easy to throw items away and not waiver. Lastly grab a spray bottle of isopropyl Alcohol for disinfecting.
Next, let’s take inventory and separate in four piles: tools, eye products, skin products and lip products. Having products grouped this way gives you a good idea of what you may need more of and what you can hold off on buying. If you can, throw your makeup bag in the washing machine.
Our next step is to look at the cosmetic expiration icons. They are on most packaging, but not all. If your products don’t have an icon, use the info as a guide below. If you see any of these pics on your packaging, the number you see inside the jar is an expiration date symbolizing how many months the product is okay to use after opening. If the product is not thrown away after the expiration date, you run the risk of a high level of bacteria growing in your product, which can cause things like eye infections and breakouts on the skin.
Skin:
Liquid Foundation and Concealer Lifespan: 8-12 months
Any product that is water based will attract germs which is why there are preservatives in cosmetics. If your product is watery, separates or smell, it’s time to throw it away. Rashes and breakouts are the most common result of using expired face products.
Face Powder and Blush Lifespan: 1-2 years
A powder foundation formula lasts twice as long as a liquid foundation. Typically, powders are going to have the longest lifespan in your makeup bag. Like eyeshadow, if you see a dark layer, section or line on top of your powder, it’s time to throw it away because that is our nemesis bacteria growing.
Cream Blush Lifespan: 1 year
Because Cream blush is technically a water base, follow the one- year rule for this guy. If the texture thickens or gets sticky, it’s time to throw it away.
Eyes:
Eyeshadow Lifespan: 2 years
Eyeshadows will last a couple years. If you see a hardened, dark area or layer on a powder, it’s time to throw it away. That is bacteria growing and since you are directly applying it to your eyes, save yourself the potential eye infection and toss it.
Pencil Eyeliner Lifespan: 2 years
Pencils are the longest lasting eyeliner because when you sharpen it, you remove the dirty surface layer if you keep your sharpener sanitized with alcohol (how to sanitize your sharpener is at the end of this post).
Liquid Eyeliner Lifespan: 3-4 months
Liquid eyeliner comes directly in contact with your eyes, so this puppy is going to have a short life. Because there’s no way to sanitize liquid liner between uses, it should be tossed every 3-4 months.
Cream Eyeliner Lifespan: 3-4 months
This is a lot like Liquid. We constantly double dip and expose the jars to bacteria. One way I have recommended saving on a new cream liner is to split it with a friend. Before using it for the first time, use a clean disposable spatula and cut half of the product out of the container and put it in a disposable tester container with a lid. We typically cannot use the whole jar in 3-4 months so why not share the cost?
Mascara Lifespan: 2-3 months
Mascara has the shortest lifespan of any product in your makeup bag. The dark, moist (sorry) space with small amounts of air pumped into it is a breeding ground for bacteria. The air pushes bacteria into the tube so it’s a never-ending cycle. This is not something you want touching your eyes girlfriend. Get into the habit of smelling your mascara. There is a big difference of fresh mascara and a 3-month-old mascara. Once you compare the two, you will never want to put an old product close to your peepers.
Skin:
Liquid Foundation and Concealer Lifespan: 8-12 months
Any product that is water based will attract germs which is why there are preservatives in cosmetics. If your product is watery, separates or smell, it’s time to throw it away. Rashes and breakouts are the most common result of using expired face products.
Face Powder and Blush Lifespan: 1-2 years
A powder foundation formula lasts twice as long as a liquid foundation. Typically, powders are going to have the longest lifespan in your makeup bag. Like eyeshadow, if you see a dark layer, section or line on top of your powder, it’s time to throw it away because that is our nemesis bacteria growing.
Cream Blush Lifespan: 1 year
Because Cream blush is technically a water base, follow the one- year rule for this guy. If the texture thickens or gets sticky, it’s time to throw it away.
Lips:
Lipstick Lifespan: 2 years
When a lipstick becomes dry it’ll be difficult to apply, which means it’s time to toss it.
Lip Gloss Lifespan: 2 years
When the gloss becomes tacky and hard to separate or if it starts to smell like crayons or anything just… bad, it’s past its prime.
Lip Pencil: 2 years
This is the same as eye pencils. Pencils will last long if you keep them clean. Sharpen with a clean pencil sharpener after every couple uses.
Tools + Brushes:
Sponges should be washed with soap and water weekly and thrown away every 1-2 months. Once they are washed, let them dry completely in an open area. Brushes should be washed weekly, wiped so they are not wet and let dry overnight. Hang the hair side of your brush off the edge of the counter so air can flow to the top and bottom in order to completely dry. Once they are completely dry, you can store them in a cup or back in your bag. If they are stored upright and are not dry, water can get between the brush and the handle and loosen the glue bond. A good brush can last for 10+ years if it is cared for and stored properly.
What’s left is our good makeup and tools. Wipe down the outside of everything with isopropyl alcohol, it’s probably dusty but also will have bacteria. Don’t forget to wipe down your brush handles! Mist your powders, powdered blushes and powdered eyeshadows with alcohol to disinfect and let them dry completely before using. Spray your pencil sharpener with alcohol or give it a quick dip in a small cup (or shot glass) full of alcohol and let completely dry. This will allow your sharpener to sharpen your pencils with a clean blade keeping your pencils free of bacteria! Replace sharpeners every 6-12 months.
Now that your makeup is sparkling clean, how good do you feel? Clean your makeup products out yearly so expiration dates do not get out of hand! I always take time to do this every year on my birthday. It gives me a great excuse to get some fun new makeup for myself and it’s easy for me to remember!
Have holes in your makeup bag now? Schedule a shopping appointment or makeup lesson with us so we can help you restock with the correct colors and update your makeup look!
