Women can be the greatest hoarders (or collectors as we like to be known)! Let's face it, we love to own pretty, shiny and sparkly items in our handbag, especially if they make us look gorgeous. We use 20% of our make up 80% of the time, so what about the other 80% of the products that we're not using? Do we really need them? Start the New Year with a new approach to your make-up bag. If you're not sure where to start, follow our top tips on getting made-up with your make-up.
 Organise, organise organise!
Be ruthless and separate all your products into the following 3 categories:
1. Products you use everyday, essentials you cannot live without. 2. Things that come in handy, maybe items you use on a night out or for a special occasion.
3. Items that you haven't even glimpsed at for the past three months.
Get rid of category 3 immediately. Sort through category 1 and 2 and consider that all products have a shelf life. Every time you use a product you introduce new bacteria. For optimum results from the pigments and for blemish free skin, products need to be fresh. Throw away anything that's been used whilst suffering from an eye infection or cold sore. Shelf life guidelines Mascara - 3-6 months: Replace mascara regularly; every 4 months is ideal.
Foundation, loose and pressed powder, blusher and eye shadow - 6-18 months.
Oil based foundation will last longer than water based.
Powder blushers will last longer (2 years) than cream blushers.
Concealer - 8-12 months: Replace when its getting too dry to apply or cracking.
Nail Varnish - up to 12 months: Keep in the fridge for longevity.
Eye/lip pencil and lipstick - 2 years: Sharpening pencils keeps them clean. Fashion If you are waiting for a product to come back into fashion again, don't. Chances are, the next time the texture or sheen will be slightly different, the product will be too old and out of date, or you will be! 
Impulse buys and free gifts Another reason we hold on to things, is because they are impulse buys. You've gone out and sworn blind that another shimmer stick is just what you need, just to discover you look like Casper the ghost, only slightly more glittery! Gifts with purchases are wonderful but decide if they will really come in handy? Why not re-gift them to a teenage beauty junkie? Buying new products Once you've sorted through your entire bag, chances are, a few items will need to be replenished. Make a list of essentials; by knowing exactly what you need there is less temptation for impulse purchases. Let sales assistants guide you with their expertise to update your look. Bobbi Brown comes out trumps, by never giving the hard sell and sharing exceptional product knowledge. Don't forget ranges who you may think of as more skincare or perfume brands. Clarins have some wonderful foundations and Chanel eye shadows are to die for. Build up a rapport with an assistant, and just invest in the crucial items of make-up. It makes tailoring your look so much easier.  Tools of the trade
Lastly, keep your tools clean. Invest in good quality brushes; check out Laura Mercier and Mac, or for synthetic brushes try the Body Shop. You can purchase brushes individually to slowly build up your collection. Keep tools in a brush roll to keep them protected. Any brush that comes in contact with a liquid formula should be washed daily and powder brushes every month. Use a gentle shampoo and warm water to rinse your brushes, then pat dry and always leave to dry on a flat surface (if left upright the water can rot the glue holding hairs in place and ruin expensive brushes). Swap old foundation sponges and sponge tip applicators for new ones, and replace the rubber on your eye lash curlers. Once you're organised, the time it takes you to perfect your look should be dramatically reduced. Keep on top of your newly structured kit to prevent build up of unnecessary products and keep you looking gorgeous. |
