January; month of revamps - so what better time to give our makeup bags a makeover of their own? I'm sure we're all guilty of keeping products a little longer then we should (my mum has a Clinique loose powder that's older then I am) and most of us probably haven't checked out what's lurking at the bottom in a while.
SO we thought we'd make this little guide to clearing out your bag: eight-month old foundation? Fine. Eight-moth old mascara? Definitely not fine.
Read on after the cut to find out what you should be sprucing up or throwing away - after all, you do have all those lovely new Spring collections to fit in there...
Now you've decided to do this, let's do it properly. If your bag is looking a bit grubby, why not make an investment and get a new one? We love this one by Lulu Guinness below, £35, which is laminated so you can wipe it clean (and a special mention for this amazing clear organiser from John Lewis, £11).
Products
Get out all your products. Everything. Now get a bag. Glittery eyeshadow bought for the school disco when you were 13? In the bag. Baby blue eyeshadow from a free gift that you will never ever wear again? In the bag. Ill-judged purple lipstick? Bag. Everything you know you won't wear goes in the bag. Then the bag goes in the bin. Be ruthless!
I'm sure you know by now that makeup has an expiration date after it's been opened, which are:
- Mascara: 3-6 months
- Liquid/cream foundation, concealer, cleanser, moisturiser: 6-8 months
- Eyeliner and lip pencils - 18 months
- Pressed/loose powder, eye shadow, blush, lip gloss, lipstick, toner: 1 year
Anything that's too old - bin.
Brushes
Brushes that are looking a bit worse for wear chuck, and the rest give a good wash. Dampen under warm water, massage in a small amount of shampoo and then rinse until the water runs clear (which could take a while if they're anything like mine). Leave to air dry. If you don't have time for that, you can get a brush cleaner like this one frm Shu Uemera, £10.50.
Also worth noting: Eyelash curler pads tend to wear out after 3 months - I'm still heartbroken you can't buy refills for Shu Uemera curlers. :(
Voila! Now you have a clean, well organised bag ready for 2011 (even if you aren't).