The warm weather urgently reminds us to spring clean our closets – to bring out our lighter, shorter skirts and cute sandals. But what about our make-up? In winter, heavy foundation and matte lipstick may be de rigueur but as the temperatures rise these make-up fallbacks need to be packed away along with your winter boots. Have you given any thought to “spring-clean” your make-up routine? How long should you keep your make-up essentials before they do more harm than good?
Face Facts First
In spring and summer months full-coverage foundation is an invitation to skin problems. Make-up mixed with sweat – and even the most dainty amongst us perspire just a wee tad – is an invitation for clogged pore and pimples. As a bottle of foundation is good up to one year if stored away from heat, you can thin it out for spring and summer usage by mixing in a few drops of your moisturizer. This will give a more sheer application to your skin.
The Eyes Have It
In winter, the routine is eye primer followed by layers of eye shadow. In spring and summer the weather is too warm and face it, who has the time when there is fun to be had? Look for “one-and-done” products, in cream form, that combine primer and shadow in one application. Eye pencils can be kept for up to two years but ensure a clean tip by sharpening before each application. Liquid eye shadow should last one year and powder shadows two years IF you keep the applicators clean. We love disposable applicators just for this reason.
Note: Any type of eye infection is a game changer for how long you can keep your make-up. Dispose of all eye make-up and applicators once you start to develop symptoms as viruses and bacteria can live in your make-up and cause re-infection.
Lips
With warm weather you want lip coverage that looks beautiful but also moisturizes and provides a little gloss. Your lip gloss or balm is good up to six months while lipstick can last up to one year. We bet you have been holding onto lipsticks much longer than is healthy so clean out your make-up drawer today!
I’m Blushing?!?
In spring and summer, it’s time to move from powder to cream blush. You want a glow, not a streak show. Soft peach and pink tones are your friend during warmer months. Cream blushes can be kept for one year while powder blushes are good for two years.
Mascara, not Raccoon Eyes
Beach . . . pool . . . lake . . . sun . . . sweat . . . the password is waterproof. It’s a no-brainer in warmer months you need something that won’t slide down your face. Mascara is also the make-up tool in your arsenal with the shortest shelf-life aka 90 days. If your tube of mascara begins to dry up before 90 days do not add water to revive it as this will increase your chances of eye infection.
Face Facts First
In spring and summer months full-coverage foundation is an invitation to skin problems. Make-up mixed with sweat – and even the most dainty amongst us perspire just a wee tad – is an invitation for clogged pore and pimples. As a bottle of foundation is good up to one year if stored away from heat, you can thin it out for spring and summer usage by mixing in a few drops of your moisturizer. This will give a more sheer application to your skin.
The Eyes Have It
In winter, the routine is eye primer followed by layers of eye shadow. In spring and summer the weather is too warm and face it, who has the time when there is fun to be had? Look for “one-and-done” products, in cream form, that combine primer and shadow in one application. Eye pencils can be kept for up to two years but ensure a clean tip by sharpening before each application. Liquid eye shadow should last one year and powder shadows two years IF you keep the applicators clean. We love disposable applicators just for this reason.
Note: Any type of eye infection is a game changer for how long you can keep your make-up. Dispose of all eye make-up and applicators once you start to develop symptoms as viruses and bacteria can live in your make-up and cause re-infection.
Lips
With warm weather you want lip coverage that looks beautiful but also moisturizes and provides a little gloss. Your lip gloss or balm is good up to six months while lipstick can last up to one year. We bet you have been holding onto lipsticks much longer than is healthy so clean out your make-up drawer today!
I’m Blushing?!?
In spring and summer, it’s time to move from powder to cream blush. You want a glow, not a streak show. Soft peach and pink tones are your friend during warmer months. Cream blushes can be kept for one year while powder blushes are good for two years.
Mascara, not Raccoon Eyes
Beach . . . pool . . . lake . . . sun . . . sweat . . . the password is waterproof. It’s a no-brainer in warmer months you need something that won’t slide down your face. Mascara is also the make-up tool in your arsenal with the shortest shelf-life aka 90 days. If your tube of mascara begins to dry up before 90 days do not add water to revive it as this will increase your chances of eye infection.