Break up with your makeup! WHAT. I know stay with me. I am not suggesting you all go out into the world with a naked face.
I understand some of you have lots of lotions and potions. You may buy makeup every time you are in the drugstore, grocery store, beauty bar or department store. But have you tossed out the old?
Do you have mascara from the last decade? How about your eye makeup? How old it is? Do you have lipstick or lip gloss that is older than your youngest child?
Not only can all those tubes, cases, bottles and pencils create clutter, but they can be dangerous to your health.
Old expired makeup can cause allergies.
Expired makeup can cause breakouts and infections like pink eye, acne, and worse. This is especially true with mascara, liners and foundations. “When a product expires this means that the preservatives have stopped being as effective as they once were or have stopped working altogether. This can lead to infections,” says Dr. Gary Goldfaden.
Wow, none of those things sound good or will make you look better.
Here are the rules on when you should throw away your makeup.
Foundations, creams, powders, and lipsticks that are over a year old although many experts say you should toss your mascara after 3 months.
Any eyeliners, mascaras, shadows, or lip glosses should be tossed if you’ve had for more than six months.
OK, now you know so lets fix this and get organized:
Sort through all of your cosmetics and toss anything that you can’t remember when you purchased it. Chances are that it well exceeds the limit if you can’t remember when you bought it.
Clean your brushes on a regular basis and if you use sponges those should be cleaned each time and tossed every month.
This is one time where I will tell you to throw your old stuff away. Don’t donate it or give it away.
I have a “Rev-a-shelf” drawer organizer (Rev-A-Shelf COSK-18) that I use for my makeup brush storage. I also use a makeup bag to store my products. I pull the bag out and empty all the products I use. Once used, I drop it back in the bag. I know when I am done all the products will be back in the bag. That makes it so easy to return the entire thing in the drawer. Also, if I need to pack quickly for a trip it is already contained and I only have to grab a few brushes.
Bonus Tip to know went to replace your makeup is to note it on the inside door of your medicine cabinet. I use this to remind me when I change the toothbrushas well. Write your notes with a grease pencil (I use my old lip pencil before I toss) If you were so inclined, you could paint the inside of your door with chalkboard paint and use chalk.
Did you know that you can convert any hard surface to a “white-board” Just by painting over it with a special CLEAR IdeaPaint, Wow who knew. The possibilities are endless You can also use an ordinary any color dry erase maker to write on glass. Yes all glass.
According to Julie Longyear of Blissoma holistic skin care and apothecary. “One great alternative for makeup that would not technically expire is mineral makeup,” says Longyear. As there is no water or oils in the products they don’t grow bacteria or go bad. As a lady that doesn’t wear a lot of makeup, most of my eyeshadows are loose mineral powders. That equals an investment that is safe for a long time.
As you know I am not a makeup specialist. I am an Organizer. If you want to read more tips on makeup from Aly Walansky at Stylecaster expired-makeup.
I love to hear from you so feel free to start a discussion.
Thanks Pamela