Feature Image by Element5 Digital
While we’re all sheltering in place and working from home, it’s the perfect time to give your beauty cabinet a good spring cleaning. This is a perfect opportunity to indulge in both a non-screen time activity and beauty-related self-care. Ahead is an initial list of beauty products you should sort through.
Makeup products
Makeup doesn’t last forever. Expired products not only lose quality but can also build up unwanted bacteria after a certain amount of time. Check the backside of the packaging for an open jar symbol, aka the PAO (or “Period After Opening”) symbol, which will have a number and an “M” next to it, indicating how many months the product is good after opening. For a basic rule of thumb, reference this list
Good for three months:
- Eyeliner
- Liquid eyeliner
- Mascara
Good for one year:
- Concealer
- Cream blush
- Eyeshadow
- Foundation
- Lip gloss
- Nail polish
Good for two years:
- Powder blush
- Lipstick
- Eyeliner pencil
Brushes
Before you start cleaning your brushes, first check for unsalvagable ones. If a brush is shedding, discolored (despite cleaning), or has a foul smell, discard them. Makeup brushes should be washed one to two times a week, and beauty experts suggest cleaning sponges after each use.
Toothbrush
When was the last time you swapped out your current toothbrush for a new one? If you can’t remember, then it’s time to swap it out. Experts recommend doing this every three months.
Shower products
Loofahs and body sponges are a breeding den for bacteria after a short period of time. Toss them! While you’re in there, throw out empty bottles of shampoo that you can’t squeeze out any tiny bit that’s left. Also, consider swapping out your razor brush head if it’s starting to get grimy.
Unopened products
If you’ve had an eye shadow palette sitting in your beauty cabinet for a while that you’ve never used, you probably never will.
Sunscreen
What’s more important than SPF? Using it properly. Toss out old sunscreen that’s expired or quick tanning solutions from last summer!
Fragrance
Perfume typically has a shelf life of around two and a half years. To see if your perfume is expired, check to see if there is a vinegar-like odor when sprayed. If a perfume is darker in color than when you got it, that could mean it has gone bad. Also, check for expiration dates!
xx, The FabFitFun Team
