Beauty bag detox: what to bin this new year
If the last time you had a good clear out of your makeup bag was 1984, it might be time for a proper beauty bag detox to kick off the New Year. Not only will it help de-clutter and streamline your collection of products down to those that you actually use regularly, it’s also the best way to eliminate bacteria and other nasties that lurk in beauty products and the lining of your makeup bag.
Here’s what to keep and what to replace.
Foundation and concealer – Depending on the formulation, your foundation should last around 12 months. Oil free formulas tend to dry out more quickly than the moisturising formulations while a pump pack will generally harbour less bacteria as you’re not constantly dipping into it with your fingers. If you develop a skin infection at any time, it’s a good idea to completely replace your foundations/powder/concealer as the bacteria can live on long after you’ve cleared it up.
Blush and powder – Powder blush can last up to two years due to the nature of its composition while cream formulas should be binned after 12 months. When applying blush with your fingers, try and keep them as clean as possible. Makeup sponges should be washed (and ideally air dried in the sun to kill bacteria) every week and brushes every month.
Lipstick/lip balm – A good lippie will most likely last you till you’re scraping the bottom of the tube as the shelf life is around two years. Be mindful however that you are using it near the mouth and on a daily basis. Should you develop any kind of infection (a cold sore or similar for example), you need to either stop using your lippie, apply it with a cotton tip or bin it if it’s come into contact with the sore.
Mascara – Mascara has the shortest shelf life of all beauty products. This is due to its close proximity to your eye and the formulations ability to transfer bacteria and infections. Mascara should be binned after three months or if it becomes dry and clumpy (even if that’s before three months). If you suffer from an eye infection (like conjunctivitis) at any stage, you should bin your mascara immediately.
Eyeliner – Eyeliner can be used kept for up to two years, primarily because the sharpening the pencil regularly removes the old tip and replaces it with a new one. Ideally you should sharpen your pencil every couple of uses. Mechanical pencils have a slightly shorter shelf life, around 12 to 18 months.
Eye shadow – Depending on your chosen formulation (liquid or powder), eye shadow should last 12 to 24 months. It’s important to keep your application clean and replace as regularly as possible. Disposable foam tipped applicators are cheap and can be bought in bulk for this exact purpose.
TOP TIP: It’s also a good idea to give your beauty bag a good clean every six months. A washable bag can be put through a hot wash with a small amount of your usual washing liquid and air dried in the sun. A bag lined with plastic or other waterproof coverings can be spritzed with cleaning spray, wiped clean and left out in the sun for a few hours to remove any lurking bacteria.