In January, the word ‘detox’ gets thrown around a lot, but this is a beauty resolution that we promise will have very satisfying results. Cleaning out your makeup bag is far easier than starting a new diet, less painful than cardio, and your skin will definitely thank you for it! Here’s how to do it in a few easy steps.
If your current makeup bag is looking a bit grotty, why not start the year with a fresh new bag – like the adorable Alphabet Bags pouch above? Not only will it make you happy every time you look at it, you’ll also be guaranteeing that all the bacteria lurking in your old bag won’t be making their way onto your face.
Go through ALL your makeup – not just the stuff you use on a daily basis – and throw out anything that’s broken, dried up or out of date. Just like food, makeup have an expiration date, and ignoring it can lead to worse than just clumpy lashes or cloggy foundation. Particularly when it comes to eye products, using expired makeup can lead you to infections, irritations or skin conditions. No idea where to start? Here’s a handy guide:
- Foundation: 6 months to a year. Oil-free liquid formulations won’t keep for as long, while powders will last the longest. No matter how old, chuck your foundation if it starts to change colour, separates or smells funny.
- Mascara: 3 months. When it starts to go clumpy or dry, it’s time to get rid. To stop your mascara drying out so fast, avoid pumping too much air into the tube when you’re applying.
- Blush: 2 years for powder blush, 1 year for cream. Allow your foundation to dry completely before applying blush to avoid transferring any oils into the pan, and clean your blush brush regularly.
- Eyeshadow: 1-2 years. Powder will last longer than liquid or cream formulations, but throw away anything that changes in texture or seems to lose its pigment.
- Lipstick: 1 year. Expired lipsticks will often apply patchily, dry out or smell bad, so throw it out if you spot any of these signs (let’s face it, even if it’s new, do you want a patchy, smelly lipstick anyway?)
Finally, clean your makeup brushes. The jury’s out on how often exactly you should do this, but everyone agrees it should be at least once a month. Use a brush cleansing gel or baby shampoo to wash the bristles of the brush in warm water until it runs clear. Don’t submerge the brush fully, or you risk it warping and falling apart. If you want, you can use a quick cleaning spray every time you use your brushes to keep them bacteria-free until you have time to do a deep cleanse.
