How to Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine while you Hunker Down

 Spring is officially here and if you have not already, a no better time than now while you are hunkered down to go through all your beauty products and get rid of what you don’t need or things with not so long-lasting, ingredients. I like to use this time to get rid of items such as old samples I have been holding onto because I thought I would use them. Or maybe products I no longer use and clean out all the drawers in my bathroom and reorganize them with what I’m keeping.

Start out by:

Cleaning off your make-up brushes. At least once a month if you have not been doing that start now.  Not regularly cleaning your brushes can lead to bacteria on brushes which then goes on your face.  Some use a spray that can be used all the time.  I prefer to clean it naturally with warm water, dish soap, and olive oil.  Work brushes through the oil mixture.  Rinse well and gently squeeze out excess water.  Place brushes on a towel handle higher than the brush side to dry.

Clean off your hot tools.  Wipe your flat iron or curling iron with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.  Wipe down with a wet cloth repeat as necessary.  This will remove build-up from products on your hair prior to use.

Clean your hairbrush. Fill a bowl with warm water and mild shampoo swish the brush around and then place the brush bristle side down to dry.

Now take some time to go through your drawers and cabinets and evaluate everything you use regularly. Check for expiration dates.  Get rid of the products you no longer use.  Get rid of the products with less than 1/4 left.  Moving forward you can do one of two things. Make the switch and toss everything else, or buy as you use up what you have. Because I don’t like to waste, I prefer using then buying.  Look for natural products without synthetic fragrances, sulfates, phthalates, parabens, or lead.  Your skin is your largest organ – so treat it well and use quality products containing quality ingredients.

Finally, wipe out your make up bags and drawers that you keep your stuff in, then reorganize.

As a rule of thumb products below should be switched out as follows:

• Mascara- 3-6 months
• Eye shadow- 12 months
• Eyeliner- 12 months
• Liquid concealer-1 year
• Powder or stick- 2 years
• Foundation- 12 months
• Cream blush-1 year
• Powder blush- 2 years
• Face powder- 2 years
• Lipstick/gloss- 1 year or if you’ve been sick toss.

Not sure of how long you have had a certain product?  I would toss it just to be safe, rather than sorry!

“Happy Spring Cleaning!”