REVAMP your Makeup Drawer

Most of my actual MUA kit is heavy rotation items, so often times I have nothing to throw on seasonally. My personal makeup stash however is a different story.  I HOARD makeup, so many time I end up buying duplicates and variations of the same type of product, UNNECESSARILY!! Many times I transfer them into my MUA kit but often enough they get tossed.  My New Years Resolution was to reduce waste...THIS IS MY START!

CLEAR.
CLEANSE and
CONSOLIDATE YOUR MAKEUP DRAWER!  






Sort out your drawers and makeup bags.  How long has that eye shadow been cracked?  How long have you been using that sponge, that brush or that mascara?  If you don't know, TOSS IT!!  Does the lipgloss smell funny? Is that not it's ORIGINAL COLOR?  It's time to say "BYE BOO", this means the preservatives have broken down.  REMEMBER~ If you store your products away from heat sources and windows they will last longer.


A color change may not always signal product breakdown, but it does mean it's past its prime.  Creams with retinols can become MORE potent and actually burn your skin.  Acne products and weaken thus causing irritation or the reverse effects because of slow oxidation, that happens the moment you open a product.  


How long do the skin care ingredients in my lotions, body scrubs and other skin and body care products last? When should I throw them away?

For most skin and body care products, there is an easy way to find out how long the skin care ingredients are good for. Simply look on the back of the container. Many times you'll see what looks like a skin care product tub that is opened with a number on it. The number is usually 6, 12, 24 or 36. What this means is that you can safely use this opened product for the number of months it says. But let's remember that dipping your fingers into product does bring bacteria into the mix. Always us a spatula, or my favorite, a baby spoon that you can get at the drugstore.

Use your best judgment and if you think it's time to toss it, it probably is. Pay more attention to the dates on your facial products, as they usually have special ingredients to help protect your skin. If your product doesn't have an image on the back, assume it is probably no more than 12 months unless stated. If your product contains organic ingredients or you purchased it from a small company that produces their products after your order is placed, make sure you ask what the shelf life is. In some cases, the shelf life is very small due to the lack in preservatives.

Unopened products that are still sealed usually have a shelf life of 3-5 years or more, so don't be concerned about the products on the shelf. As long as they stay sealed, they will last many years. The time only starts counting down when you open it.