How to Spring Clean your Makeup Bag

When you think of spring cleaning, tossing out old clothes and scrubbing away the dust bunnies from under your bed is what generally comes to mind, right? While the typical spring cleaning criteria is definitely a must, ridding your vanity of old makeup and restocking what you love is just as important, too!

Let’s be honest, for every brush, palette, and lipstick you actively use, there’s probably a dozen other beauty products collecting dust that date back farther than you’d like to admit. In fact, a survey of 4,000 women by Poshly revealed the average woman owns about 40 makeup products, of which only five are used regularly.

But cleaning out your makeup bag is more than just tidying up; cosmetics stay fresh and usable for a limited period of time before they become a health risk. Before you start dumping out your favorite beauty products, keep reading! We’ve got a breakdown of which products to leave and which products to love.

 

Makeup Brushes 

If you’re already cleaning your makeup brushes on a regular basis, great! You’re on the right track. On average, a regular makeup brush can last anywhere from one to five years… with regular cleaning that is. 

Here are a few things to note when sorting through your old brushes:

• Dirty brushes, or brushes with old makeup on them, play a huge role in causing oily skin, clogged pores, and breakouts.
• A tell-tale sign that your brush has got to go is by the fullness and softness of the bristles: if your brush feels harsh, it’s too harsh for your skin. 
• We love multi-use makeup brushes because they cut down on the number of brushes you have to clean regularly. Our stack brush comes with a lid to help keep the bristles soft and bacteria at bay, and our 4-piece Mini Makeup Brush Set are travel sized, and have multi-use purposes to handle anything from lip application to blending. Give each brush a swirl in the Dry Brush Cleaner to keep them in tip-top shape between washes.

 

Eyeliner and Mascara 

These are two products you’re putting directly on your eye which means you need to be extra strict when it comes to choosing which products to keep (and for how long) and which ones to toss, STAT! 

Here are a few things to note when sorting through your old eye makeup:

• Liquid eyeliner and mascara should be replaced every 3 months or so. The reason these products should be replaced so often is because they contain water, which bacteria thrives off of to grow, putting a sensitive area of the face (your eyes!) at risk for pink eye, sties, and other issues.
• If your products are starting to get dry, don’t add water to them! If your products are drying out, toss them out and restock! Adding water can lead to bacteria growth and eye irritation.
• We love buying mini instead of full-sized mascara. Most mascara formulas dry out or become tacky within a month or two of purchasing.

 

Powdered Makeup 

Although it might seem like powders are safe to keep for a long time, they also have expiration dates and tend to start accumulating dirt and bacteria if left at the bottom of your makeup drawer for too long. 

Here are a few things to note when sorting through your powder products:

• Powder-based makeup such as blush, a highlighter, or bronzer typically last up to a year (however, be sure to check the Period After Opening symbol to know for sure). Because these products aren’t water-based, it’s much more difficult for bacteria to grow. However, warm and steamy environments (like a bathroom!) can increase mold growth. We suggest storing all of your makeup products in a cool, dry place.
• Discoloration or specks on top of your powder is a build-up of oil (and not what you want to put back onto your face). Check out these hacks for removing and preventing hardpan on your makeup!
• We love using bronzer and highlighter as eyeshadow. This helps cut down on the size of your makeup bag and saves you money! Use bronzer to contour the crease, and add a dab of highlighter to the inner corners to make your eyes pop. 

 

Lip Products 

We can all agree that lip products are the hardest to let go of. Everyone has their go-to shade that they’ll use until it’s practically down to a nub. Here’s what to consider when sorting through all those lipsticks, glosses, and glazes. 

Here are a few things to note when sorting through your lip products:

• Experts argue that lip gloss and lipsticks should be replaced every six months. Lip makeup can harbor microorganisms, and if there’s bacteria growth, cause irritation to your mouth after application. 
• If you’re sick or have cold sores, toss out those products ASAP! If your lip products are cracking or looking dry, it’s definitely time to restock.
• We love Lip + Cheek because it’s a dual-purpose product that gives both areas of the face a subtle, rosy look and keeps your product build-up to a minimum while still looking fab! You can even use it on your eyelids for a fresh dewy look.

Does your makeup bag look like it use a refresh? Check out our classically chic cosmetic bag to keep all your essentials in one organized (and stylish) place!