Spring clean your beauty
19 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Beautiful you!, Cosmetics world
This article appeared in mail online.
We are only three weeks into 2012 and there’s already a host of new products. But before you buy anything new, it makes sense to clear the clutter first. Here’s our guide to help you choose what to keep and what to buy to refresh your make-up bag.
CHANGE YOUR MASCARA
We ARE a nation of mascara lovers, but using them for longer than three months will increase your chances of picking up an eye infection. Mascara — and liquid eyeliner — should be replaced every three months even if they have only been used a couple of times.
The products become a breeding ground for bacteria once they’ve been opened and are in use. Every time the applicator is used it is replaced into the product and any germs it has picked up along the way return with it.
WHEN TO BIN POWDER
Although powder will last longer than the stated shelf life, when pressed powders start getting dry they won’t go on smoothly and you can get a patchy application. Loose powder can last up to three years but if it’s older than that, throw it out.
Caroline Frazer, Simple Skincare expert, says: ‘Many of the spring/summer shows were all about healthy, glowing skin, so I’d suggest investing in a good-quality illuminating powder to get the look.’
MAKE FRIENDS WITH PRIMER
Often overlooked, primer is the unsung hero in your make-up bag. It corrects imperfections in your skin and helps your make-up last for longer. While you may not wear it every day, primer won’t last longer than two years, so even if you have a half-full bottle, resist the temptation to keep it and splash out on a new one.
TRY A NEW BB CREAM
Foundation will last for a maximum of only two years, so throw away any bottles past their use-by date. If you’re unsure which shade to buy, try a multi-tasking BB (blemish balm) Cream, launched last year to tackle blemishes and provide light coverage. Many leading brands are jumping on the BB bandwagon this season, providing a multitasking cream which can act as a primer, foundation and moisturising day cream, so there is plenty of choice available at different prices.
EYE MAKE-UP
Powder eye shadows should last for two years, but shades change every season, so if you want to keep on top of the latest trends make sure you update your colours and invest in a new palette. Eye pencils have a longer shelf life than liquid liner and can be kept for two to three years, especially if you sharpen them regularly.
BUY A NEW LIPSTICK
If you have a lipstick for more than two years and don’t know whether it’s still OK to use, follow your nose and check the smell. If it smells strange, throw it out. If it’s been stored in a cool place and you haven’t used it, it will last longer, sometimes up to four years.
If your favourite lipstick has been discontinued and you are hanging on to the stub in the hope that you will find the perfect match, Cosmetics a la Carte do a bespoke matching service, and can make a perfect colour copy of a discontinued lipstick. Send them your old lipstick and they will create the same colour and formulation. It is not cheap, costing £220 to produce the first copy, then £48 for repeat purchases (for more information call 020 7622 2318).
BRIGHT NEW NAILS
Nail polish will last only a year before becoming thick and claggy, so don’t keep half-used bottles and try a bright new shade — there’s no faster way to update your looks and make-up bag.
THROW AWAY OLD SPONGES
Don’t keep old make-up sponges, they harbour germs and frequent washing makes them lose firmness and absorbency, leaving more foundation on the sponge than on your face. Replace with new ones, such as Boots’ Wedge Sponges, £1.75, for a pack of four.
EXPERT TIP
Make-up queen Bobbi Brown suggests dumping all your make-up on to a table or the floor and arranging it into the following categories: lips, cheeks, eyes, skin. ‘This way you’ll be able to see what you have too much of and what you’ll need to complete your beauty kit,’ she explains.
