Here at Sally B’s Test Kitchen in Atlanta, Spring has officially sprung. One of the nicknames for Atlanta is “The City in the Woods” and if you want proof, just google our pollen counter! We are busy preparing our raised beds and planning our gardens, along with our annual clearance of unused items, clothes and toiletries! We may not all think of the makeup bag or the bathroom counter as a place to clean, but they deserve the same attention as the rest of the house. Plus, once we’re done, we have a reason to go shopping, and there’s nothing we love buying more than makeup!
Out with the old
Just like food, makeup can go bad. Products that are past their prime run the risk of going stale, rancid, losing their effectiveness and, at worst, growing mold or harboring bacteria, which can negatively impact your skin’s health. Unlike food, makeup products are not required to print an expiration date on their packaging. Our opinion is that you should toss liquid makeup after 6 months, powder makeup after a year, lip products after a year and eye makeup (think mascara, eyeliner and shadows) after 3 months. However, airless pump packaging like our serum pumps can help extend a product’s shelf life by a few months.
But please, please, don’t just throw them in the trash. According to the EPA, cosmetics and nail polishes are considered household hazardous waste. Instead of sending your cosmetics down the drain or landfill, collect them and take them to your local household hazardous waste collection point. Find one here: www.earth911.com.
In With the New
Now that you’ve slimmed down your makeup bag, start replacing your products with healthier options. If you need a new foundation, look for one without parabens, bismuth oxychloride or artificial fragrance. And if you need a new lipstick, be sure to choose one without lead, mineral oil, talc, carmine, parabens or formaldehyde.
With Sally B’s new subscription service, you can save money on these new products and avoid the fear of running out!
Think seasonally
When spring comes with warmer temperatures, our appearance changes dramatically. Our sun-kissed skin will need a darker shade of foundation, and the color palette of our eye and lip makeup is likely to become lighter and brighter. We know it’s like saying goodbye to an old friend, but get rid of the wintery shades of your makeup. By the time fall rolls around again, they’ll have expired, and if they’re around, you might just be tempted to use them up.
Shop Smart
It’s easy to fall into a routine when it comes to makeup, but again, think about the season before you shop. In the summer you may not need a moisturizer like you do in the winter, but you will need extra sun protection. Also, remember there are only a few summer months on the calendar, so think before you buy that expensive eyeshadow palette in every color of the rainbow or 6u bright pink lipstick shade. Will you wear them all before it expires? Consider your vacation schedule when answering this question. If you have a lot of beach outings planned, you may not need a lot of glam makeup at all. No need to fill your makeup bag with products you won’t use.
Also, be sure to buy products that are as good for the earth as they are for you. If you haven’t considered our EWG Verified products, learn more here!
Clean your brushes
With proper maintenance, your makeup brushes can have a long, healthy life. We recommend cleaning them once a month or when you start using a new product. First, rinse your brush with warm water. Once you’ve washed off most of the remaining makeup, apply a drop or two of non-toxic, mild shampoo and more warm water to thoroughly clean your brush. Continue with these two steps until the water runs clear when you rinse the brush. Then, let your brush air dry overnight.
Think outside your makeup bag
Although we put the ‘makeup bag’ on your spring cleaning to-do list, don’t limit yourself to just the products in that bag. Take inventory of the products in your shower, bathroom shelves, and especially those hiding at the bottom of your purse or gym bag. There’s no telling how long something has been in there, so it’s best to err on the side of “too long.” Exposing products to extreme temperatures (remember, your wallet goes with you to the park and to your hot yoga class) can compromise their integrity and shorten their lifespan.
We know that spring may not come as early in some parts of the world as it does here in the South, but go ahead and let the flavors of spring (rhubarb, strawberries), the smells of spring (rose, lavender) and the routines of spring (picnics, fresh flowers) now. Once the days warm up a bit, you’ll be good to go!
