Now’s the time to take better care of you and your health too.The start of spring or a new year does not mean thinking about losing weight and eating right. Yes, they count however it is also a time to start fresh with your beauty products, makeup brushes and manscaping supplies. Like milk, fruits and other foods your beauty has a shelf life. Once opened, kept too long or stored in a steamy bathroom or car they need to be replaced.
Give yourself a few hours in the morning when you are fresh or a few in the afternoon. Spread out your things on a portable table and evaluate. How long ago did I buy this? When was the last time I used it? Did I ever use it? Does it smell funky or has it gone bad. Did you know once opened even if you have not used it much the air and sunlight affects your product and can change its effectiveness.
Once skin care products hit the light, they lose their super powers. That is why you see so many brands use amber, dark blue or opaque packaging.
Once you have got the old or used products lined up that you do not use anymore…I like to play a game called let’s throw it out. Have a garbage can ready.
Here is my professional guide on how long you should keep your products:
Skin care: A year or more.
Tooth Brush: Throw out every three months at least.
Hair Brush: Once a year.
Sonic Face Cleansing Brush or Toothbrush head: Throw out every three to six months.
Eye cream: A year or more.
Retin-A: Less than a year.
Foundation: Liquid lasts a year or more. Cream a year or two. Powder base lasts the longest.
Lipstick: Two years or more
Lip-gloss or lip balm: lasts approximately a year or two.
Blush: Powder blush lasts approximately 2 years or more & cream blush lasts a year or less.
Lip and eyeliners, brow liners: I find good quality pencils last longer than you think. They can last years.
Liquid or gel eyeliners: Liquid lasts years and gel will only last a year. Less IF you do not close the lid properly. Gel liners dry out fast!
Eye shadow: Powder lasts years unlike crams which last a year or less.
Mascara: A healthy rule is 3 months or more.
Loose powder: Can last years.
Shampoo: A couple of years.
Conditioner: A couple of years.
Nail Polish: A year or more if it does not come out right on the nail when you use it will need to be thrown out.
Perfume OR After-shave: Once opened or closed it does expire. A year or a bit more.
Makeup Brushes or makeup sponges; need your attention too. Replace your sponges often so germs do not build up. A sign they are getting old is when they fray and start to fall apart. If your makeup brushes start fall apart and hairs start to fall out in small or large clumps it is definitely time to think about replacing them. If the hairs separate from the silver ferrule this part and cut your face. throw it out.Not all your makeup brushes just the ones that are not working well when you apply and blend your makeup or falling apart.
When in doubt…if it smells strange, gets rancid or changes color and or doesn’t move and apply like it used to…throw it out.
Once Opened Beauty Expiration Kit is a cool kit that you can mark your products purchase date with a water-resistant label and pen. It comes in a cute kit that lets you know how long you had that product.
Use up what you have and LOVE, throw out what you are NOT using. Do not pass USED makeup on to your daughter, friends’ mom or family. You will spread bacteria and they may even give them a skin or eye infection. While I love saving money it is not worth handing down…just throw the products out.
Do not allow your products to clutter your bathroom or house and get in your way.Deleting and updating these will keep your skin, eyes, face, lips and body healthy.
Guys too this includes you too!
Start spring right and with fresh beauty and a good and healthy habit. It will make a world of difference!
