The contents of a woman’s makeup bag say a lot about her priorities when it comes to cosmetics. But one thing that every woman should prioritize is keeping her beauty case tidy.Shattered bronzer palettes, dried-up mascara and filthy sponges won’t do you any good. So if you’re hoarding any of the below 10 items inside your makeup bag, now’s the time to clean up your act. Just think of all the space you’ll have to fill back up with new beauty products!
1. Old Foundation/Concealer
The color of your go-to foundation and concealer is a tell-tale sign that it’s time to get rid of it. Cream or liquid foundations typically last 12 to 18 months.
2. Dried-Up Mascara
Over-pumping your mascara wand in the tube exposes it to air and allows bacteria to creep in. Be sure to seal your mascara tightly after each use and purchase a new one every three to six months.
3. Stale Natural Makeup
These products are generally free of parabens and synthetic preservatives. Storing them in your refrigerator in between uses will help them to last longer, according to celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenburg. However, they often expire after three to six months.
4. Dirty Makeup Sponges
If your color cosmetics have permanently stained the applicator, then you should discard it immediately. Always clean after each use and replenish your makeup sponges weekly (or as often as needed).
5. Used Makeup Blotting Papers
There’s a reason this product is considered “single-use.” Use it once and throw it out!
6. Melted Lipstick
You should be able to easily detect if something is off with your lipstick or lipgloss by simply paying close attention to its texture, color or scent. It’s also pretty common for these products to get overheated in your makeup bag and literally explode. Let go and latch onto another lippie, making sure to replace at least every year.
7. Broken Eyeshadow/Blush/Bronz
This one’s pretty self-explanatory. Besides, the mess that shattered powder shadows create inside your makeup bag simply isn’t worth it.
8. Uncovered Lip/Eye Pencils
While makeup pros swear by sharpening their lip and eye pencils to keep them fresh and sanitized, leaving them uncovered attracts germs that may lead to sickness.
9. Separated Nail Polish
General rule of thumb: Once your nail polish separates and starts to clump, throw it out.
There’s a very obvious reason these are labeled with an expiration date: they aren’t as effective past that time. Not to mention, when exposed to heat or humid temperatures, the consistency of sunscreen and moisturizer can change.
And don’t forget to give your makeup brushes a good cleaning, too!
