Sorting out your Make-up
Sorting out your make-up is something that I feel should be done at least twice a year. We often tend to hoard make-up items that are out of date, the wrong shade for us or need replacing. I find there is a sense of satisfaction after I have sorted out and been ruthless with my make-up, only keeping those items that I use and like. It’s also a good time to wash make-up brushes and containers too. Here are my tips for sorting out make-up items and cleaning brushes etc.
Firstly, tip all your make-up out on to a surface or a towel on the bed. If there are any make-up items that you have hidden in drawers – get those out too, including brushes.
Next, sort out the brushes and applicators from the rest of the make-up and set aside for now.
Then, look at each item of make-up and decide whether it is worth keeping:
Mascara
Has it dried up and is it more than 6 months old? Ideally you should change your mascara every 3 months as mascara brushes harbour bacteria, which can cause eye infections! I have had several eye infections from using mascara beyond 3 months old, so I’ve learnt by experience!
Eyeshadows
Have you been using the same eyeshadows for over a year and they are nearly all used up? They should be thrown away.
Lipsticks
If you have been using them for over a year and they are worn right down in the tube, then be ruthless and get rid of them.
Foundation
Again, if more than 1 year old, and particularly if it’s starting to smell, then throw it away and buy a new one.
Powder
Loose powder probably has a longer shelf life than pressed powder. If it’s pressed powder then it should go out after 2 years and loose powder after 3 years.
Blusher
If the blusher is powder then it should keep for up to 2 years but cream blusher up to 12 months.
Eyeliner
A pencil eyeliner can, of course, be used until it gets too low to be used as you are sharpening it nearly every time. A liquid type eyeliner should be thrown away after a year.
Brushes and
Applicators
Next, wash those brushes and applicators that you set aside. Cleaning them once a month is a good habit to get into and preferably once a week if you can. Sponge applicators an be washed in mild soapy water (baby or mild shampoo is good) and squeezed out and left to dry naturally. If the sponge applicator is not worth washing just throw it away! With brushes, I find that I have to work the shampoo or mild soap into the bristles for quite a long time to get all the make-up/foundation out. I then hold the bristles under the tap until the water runs clear. Then I pat dry with a towel and place above a radiator (not on it) or in sunlight to dry completely.
Any containers, bags or glass jars in which you store your make-up need to be thoroughly washed too. You may need (or want) to buy new make-up storage, so have a look on line to see what would be suitable. You can get make-up storage containers from Homesense www.homesense.com. Other places you could try are: glamourliving.co.uk, www.theholdingcompany.co.uk, www.amazon.co.uk, www.ikea.com. I like clear containers as you can see what you have. If I put all my make-up in a make-up bag (unless I’m travelling) I have to empty all the contents out to find what I’m looking for.
If you need new brushes, you can find them in Boots or Superdrug. Or why not buy a set of brushes from the charity Look Good Feel Better (www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk), which can be purchased from Marks & Spencer and Amazon.
Now that everything is clean – put the make-up, brushes and applicators you have left back into your containers or bags and make a note of any new items you may need to buy.
