Modern Goddess Magazine

I love the end of the year.  It is always the perfect time to dispose of everything that is weighing us down and holding us back.  It is always a time to plan for a new start. 

One resolution that I made and have actually kept is what I call the ‘Great Cosmetic Cleanout’.  You know the one – the one where you throw it all away and leave a nice empty space ready to be filled again. I hate doing the job, but I feel so much more free once it is done   The end of the year is a great time to for this job.  It is the time when we all wave goodbye to the old and feel hopeful about the new.  It seems right to be throwing things away.

Your makeup is like any other product.   It has a certain shelf life and once that has been reached, the product should be thrown away.    We all know that bacteria will gradually build up in our cosmetics through daily use and exposure to the air, yet how many of us still use the same mascara wand that we used last year?

The first thing you should do is to throw out anything that you haven’t used in 12 months.  One year will be the longest of the shelf lives for almost all of your products, but if you haven’t used them in 12 months then you are not going to.

Next, sort out what is left.  Your pencils and powder will last for up to 3 years as long as you are careful with them.  The pencils will remain free of bacteria if you sharpen them regularly.  Your lipsticks will last for around the same time but look closely at them before you decide to keep them.  Do they still look fresh?  Do they still have the same glide?  Do they smell fresh?  You really need to use your senses with all your makeup because that will be your most reliable guide to their health.  Take your time, too.  You need to do this properly.

Once you have sorted out your makeup it is time to turn your attention to the applicators.  I am a believer in disposable applicators because I am not one to remember to wash my brushes and sponges regularly.  All of your applicators, except your mascara wand, should be washed frequently so that bacteria does not build up and then spread itself all over your face.  If you have suddenly had a breakout it could be because your applicators are not clean.  The mascara wand gathers bacteria from exposure to the air so don’t pump the wand in and out of the tube, and only keep your mascara for 3 – 4 months.  Your eye is very delicate and will pick up an infection very quickly.

Finally, clean the storage area whether it is a makeup bag, a shelf or a drawer.  The area should be spotlessly clean and fresh to minimise the risk of bacterial growth in much the same way as an operating theatre.

Now you have a beautifully clean and empty space to fill with goodies for the New Year.