Winter is
thankfully over & Spring is on its way, so now is the time to start a
little Spring cleaning & where's the best place to start.....your make-up
bag!
Not only will you
be clearing out all the old, dried mascara, caked, cracked powder compacts
& half inch long pencils, it will be a perfect excuse to indulge in a whole
new, fresh range of cosmetics for the new season!
It's not something
we generally think about but cosmetics, like food, have a shelf life & if
we don't throw away out of date products, they can become a breeding ground for
bacteria which can be an invitation to nasty germs onto the most delicate areas of
our face. Our eyes & lips are particularly susceptible
to transference of bacteria so the first important rule is to
always wash your hands before touching these areas.
Eye Make-Up
Mascara should
be replaced every 3 to 4 months even if you haven't used it very
much. Bear in mind that the tube is a dark, wet environment & once opened,
can be a perfect site for bacteria. Every time the brush is used & replaced
into the tube, any germs it has picked up along the way will go back in as
well. Obviously mascara contains preservatives but these have a limited time
period & will only last for so long. Also, if you get an eye infection, always
dispose of any eye make-up you have used to prevent re-infection.
The same rules
& shelf life apply to liquid eye liners although pencil liners last longer,
up to 2 years, because you can freshen the surface when sharpening (not with a
dirty, rusty old sharpener!) Cream eye shadows needs to be replaced every 6-12
months due to the emulsion content of them but powder shadows last up to 2 years.
Bear in mind that if your powder shadow becomes hard & caked it is more
difficult to pick up the pigments with your brush.
Lip Make-Up
There are varying
opinions on the shelf life of lipstick & lip gloss, but generally it is
around 2 years. If you're not sure, your nose is usually a good judge
of character in this situation. If it doesn't smell good.... throw it
out!
Long lasting lip
colours may not last as long as the creamier formulas due to their ingredients
evaporating quicker & keeping your lipstick in a cool place also helps it
to last longer. Lip liner pencils like eye pencils will last for up to 2 years.
If you are unlucky enough to get a cold sore, always throw your lip cosmetics away.
Face Make-Up
Foundation has a shelf life of 6-12 months depending on its formula. Oil based foundation tends to last longer than the water based formulations. Also as they age, the consistency can thicken, causing a streaky, uneven appearance. Concealer generally lasts for a period of 12 months. Stick concealer tends to last the longest & you can tell when it's getting too old as it can dry out & not go on smoothly. Liquid based concealers can begin to separate with age & become lumpy. Try to wipe the top of your stick concealer or use a clean brush when applying it to avoid transferring any bacteria from spots to other areas of the face.
Powder can last up to 24 months, after this period it will begin to dry out. In the case of pressed powders, natural oils build up on the sponge which can cause imperfect application so regular cleaning of applicators is essential. Cream & powder blush, like eyeshadow, have a shelf life of 6-18 months. Powder blush can also have a tendency to start splitting & cracking as your brush wears the palette down.
Brushes & Applicators
Cosmetic brushes, applicators, tweezers, eye lash curlers & also your make-up bag need to be looked after for hygiene reasons & to provide longevity. Natural & synthetic brushes can be washed in a mild shampoo. Don't submerge them in water, just run them under the tap & leave them to dry on their side, this will keep the bristles soft & in good shape. In between washes you can use an anti-bacterial wipe to remove any foundation or powder deposits. These wipes are also an effective way to keep tweezers, eye lash curlers & sharpeners free from bacteria.
Wash your sponge applicators & puffs in anti-bacterial washing up liquid. The formulation of these is perfect for removing oil based foundations. Squeeze out the excess water & allow to dry thoroughly before putting back in your compact. If they are still damp this will encourage bacteria & mould.
And Finally.......
Let common sense prevail. Always wash your hands, replace lids, don't add water to your products to make them go further, don't share your cosmetics, if it smells bad it probably is, if you know it's old, throw it out!
We'd love to hear your thoughts, please feel free to comment & share
your ideas with us
Thanks For Looking
