Spring Clean Your Makeup Bag
By Rachel Naud for Life & Beauty Weekly
Spring cleaning isn't just for your home! Warmer weather means it’s also time to do a thorough cleanout of your makeup bag, too.
Why go through your makeup? First of all, it’s a healthy habit: Exposure to air, moisture and the bacteria on your fingers can turn your cosmetics into causes of breakouts, irritation and even pinkeye. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to toss out-of-date colors and swap them for this season’s hottest shades.
We asked Las Vegas-based makeup artist Jonathan Seti, whose clients include President Barack Obama, Rihanna and Sofia Vergara, for tips on when to replace your makeup -- and what to replace it with.
Lipstick and Gloss
- Toss it: Between three and six months
- Why: Lipstick should go on smooth and creamy. If it seems dry or starts to shrink in the tube, these are all tell-tale signs to toss it. “Lipstick has a sharpness to its shape,” says Seti. “When it becomes smooth and rounded, it's generally a sign that the oils in the makeup are breaking down.” Lip gloss that’s sticky, cloudy or lighter-looking can be a sign that bacteria are starting to collect.
- What's in: For a spring-ready pucker, hydrating glosses come in an array of fun shades for the season, including pinks, reds and nudes.
- What's out: Although Seti says no shade is completely off-limits, you may want to swap last winter’s dark, bold colors for brighter, lighter spring- and summer-ready hues.
Concealer
- Toss it: Between three and six months
- Why: Different problems can arise, depending on the type of concealer. Old powder-based concealers can harbor bacteria, while the oils in cream varieties can break up and curdle the makeup.
- What's in: Luminescent or light-refracting products. “It's the ‘smoke and mirrors,’ as we call it in the makeup world,” says Seti. “As the light hits the eye, it has a tendency to take away unwanted color and fine lines, almost like a blur.”
- What's out: Heavy concealers. “They're more likely to show fine lines,” says Seti.
Powder Blush
- Toss it: After two years
- Why: Over time, exposure to air can contaminate the powder, leading to skin irritation or acne.
