Various Makeup Items Laid out on a Dresser

Nobody ever thinks about their make-up bag. I know I didn’t. I wash my rushes, beauty blenders, applicators and tweezers, but I never though a second about my bag. I only got a new one when I got tired of the old one or needed a different size. Now that I know, I wanted to share the best tricks for renewing your makeup kit. A few simple tips to keep everything in order and discard anything old/expired!

-Discard all broken products.

-Discard all products beyond their use-by date.

Expiration:

It is always a good idea to write down when you purchase an item; some products last longer than others, and who really remembers when they bought something over a month ago? And if you aren’t sure, check the expiration date on the package! But here are a few simple rules to go by:

  • Mascara: about three-four months after opening. If you use it a lot it may be that it doesn’t even last three months.
  • All texture products in powder form such as shadow, matt powders and foundation -last about two years.
  • Foundation in cream form, correctors, shadows or rouges in cream form: these last about a year and a half.
  • Lipsticks: about two years.
  • Lip gloss: about two years. See when the color or texture changes; it is possible that if you have exposed it to temperature changes then it may have gone off.
  • Face creams and cleansers have different shelf lives, depending on their ingredients- They can last from 3 to 12 or 24 months.

Cleanliness:

Clean all your products with a damp towel, and dry them with a soft cloth. They will come out looking new.

Don’t forget to clean all your brushes, and you’ll see how much easier it is to put makeup on. Here’s how:

Natural hair brushes:

 Clean them with a mild shampoo, with a neutral fragrance.

 Rinse them in cold or lukewarm water (avoid using hot water)

 Apply a hair pack or intensive hair conditioner

 Allow it to take effect for a few minutes.

 Rinse again, until you are sure there is no remaining soap.

Synthetic-hair brushes:

 Clean your synthetic-hair brushes with a grease-removing product, such as washing-up liquid.

 Rinse them in lukewarm water and ensure there is no remaining soap.

TIP: Always leave your brushes to dry on a towel; never let them dry vertically in a cup, as in this case the water would enter the brush’s handle and ruin it, besides which the hair will part.

New sponges and powder puffs:

Buy new sponges and powder puffs. They are very accessible and you will feel as though you are trying out a whole range of products for the first time.

Cosmetic Bag:

 Wash your cosmetic bag in a washing machine, if the material and shape allow it. Otherwise clean it with a damp sponge and eliminate all left-over pencil shavings, broken pencils, bits of makeup, etc.

If you can, buy yourself a new cosmetic bag with separate compartments so as to keep all your makeup products in order. They’ll last longer this way.

author avatar
Dorey Duncan Scott Senior Litigation Paralegal
Hi! I’m Dorey Duncan Scott, a mother of three, wife and fashion entrepreneur. I started my career in fashion back in the early 90’s when I did print, still and runway modeling. I studied Fashion Merchandising, Music Business and Marketing, while also obtaining certificates in such industry-necessary areas such as make-up, styling and runway choreography. In addition, I had work as a spokesmodel for several brands, appearing in print and in person. As a former model, turned senior litigation paralegal, artist manager and on-air personality with a passion for fashion, beauty, and personal development, I bring a unique combination of style, strategic thinking, and legal expertise to my work. My years navigating the legal world have sharpened my attention to detail, while my experience and passion for fashion, beauty, and personal development drives my desire to help others feel empowered and help them in their journey toward self-empowerment. My experience in the fashion world has taught me the power of confidence. 
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