How Often Should You Replace Your Makeup?
When was the last time you reviewed your makeup bag?
How many products are still hoarded that are years old or beyond their best?
Take the time to look at your current makeup bag every 12 months to see what you need to rotate and, most importantly, replace.
Replacing your makeup is key to keeping yourself and your skin healthy, and you should also be brutal about what you are not using. We can all get into the habit of buying the latest must-have item or wanting what someone else has but never ending up using it.
What Happens When You Do Not Use Your Products? They expire and go off.
It is easy to forget that makeup has an expiration date and needs to be tossed when it starts smelling bad or when the texture changes. Bacteria build up on everything, especially cream and liquid products; the last thing we want to be doing is spreading it all over our skin.
How Long Should You Keep Makeup Before Throwing It Away?
If you are not entirely sure how long you should be keeping products, here is a guide to help.
Mascara: 3–6 months
Concealer: 1 Year
Cream blush: 1 year
Powder Blush: 2 Years
Face Powder: 2 Years
Liquid Eyeliner: 6 Months
Eyeliner pencil, 1 year
Eyebrow Gel, 1 Year
Powder Eyeshadow, 2 Years
Cream Eyeshadow, 1 Year
Foundation: 1-2 Years
Lipstick: 2 Years
Lip Liner: 2 Years
Lip balm: 1 year
Lip gloss: 1 year
The one product that really makes my clients react with just the word "oh" is the mascara! You should definitely be replacing your mascara when it starts to smell bad or dry out between 3 and 6 months after purchase.
Conjunctivitis from bad mascara is not pretty!
Using old makeup is a recipe for disaster. Over time, each and every product will become clogged with oils from the face plus dust, dirt, and grime. I have never been tempted to try to revive an old product. Every time air gets to the product or warmth is kept near radiators, bacteria are encouraged to grow and multiply.
It sounds grim, I know!
Before I became a makeup artist, I had a huge problem with owning too many makeup products. Let’s just say I had an untamed shopping addiction, which quite frankly spiralled out of control! I ended up with so much makeup that it looked like I was ready to open my own beauty store. It was crazy and a very expensive habit to have.
The problem I ended up having was that I had to toss about 80% of the products because I never used them. They just sat there, and they all expired. The big lesson learned there is that if you don’t use it, you lose it.
After the big declutter, the realisation came that you only actually need in your makeup bag the products you love using, ones that you would repurchase time and time again. And most importantly, the products that work for you.
Makeup Bag Overview Recommendations
Check whether the products are in date.
On each product, there is a little symbol that looks like a jar. There will be a number stating how many months the product is good to use for once opened.
2. Separate out all of the items and make piles.
“Most reached for”
“I like this, but I am not sure how to use it.”
“I don’t even like this anymore; why did I buy it?"
3. Make a list of items you love and need to repurchase.
This is where the fun begins—realising the products you just cannot be without.
4. Throw out products you no longer use and no longer love.
Be brutal with the products you no longer use; if it is not a definite yes, I am going to use this; if it is a definite no, I no longer need this.
If you have found any products that you have been holding on to but are not sure how to use them, get the courage to try them and find ways you can incorporate them into a routine.
Alternatively, you could treat yourself to a one-to-one makeup lesson, which is the ultimate treat.
Here are my tips on reassessing your makeup bag and where you can make changes for the better:
Treat yourself to a new makeup bag. If your current bag is looking dirty and tired, first get a new one.
If you currently use powder foundation, make the swap to liquid or cream foundation.
Invest in your eyeshadows, blusher, and bronzer; you want to select products that are made from quality powders.
If you find powder products no longer flatter you, invest in cream or liquid blushers and bronzers.
Swap your liquid eyeliner for a khol pencil; this will be more flattering and easier to apply.
Don’t overspend on your mascara; you can easily save money by choosing a cheaper product.
Add a concealer to your routine if you currently do not have one.
If you want to groom your brows but a pencil is too tricky, pick up a tinted brow gel.
Go through any makeup brushes you have; if you cannot save them with a deep clean, purchase some new ones. Zoeva is a brand I swear by.
You may not already be aware of this, but I specialise in makeup lessons. I provide a lot of support to ladies who want to learn how to use their products better, how to apply makeup better, or are looking for a complete refresh of their look.
A lot of clients even come to me because they feel overwhelmed and need some guidance and recommendations on what products would suit them.
I am definitely not a one-trick pony; everything is specifically tailored to you, so you will get the ultimate results and will come away with skills and knowledge you never realised.
Sometimes all we need is a little guidance, showing us how to do things differently or better, and discovering new must-have products.
If you would like to explore further how I can really help you and teach you new things, please do get in touch and we can chat further, or you can take a leap of faith and get booked in for a lesson.
