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April 22, 2020

Your Makeup Spring Cleaning Checklist!

person spraying a makeup brush

Doesn’t it feel good to do a deep clean every once in a while? Why not spring clean something you haven’t in a while, your makeup! It’s hard to keep on top of all of the things that go into cleaning a makeup bag, so we have a great checklist of things you need to consider. Take a look!

Expiration Dates

It’s something that is easy to forget, but there is always an expiration date on makeup that you buy! If you want the exact date that your makeup will expire, look for the icon on the makeup bottle or package for a picture of an open jar with a number on it. This will give you the number of months you have to use after opening before it expires.

If you can’t remember when you opened your makeup, here’s a general rule of thumb for the different shelf lives for the makeup in your bag and when you should discard and replace them.

makeup bag with makeup spilling out

Foundation shelf life is typically six months to a year.

If your foundation starts to separate, it’s time to throw it in the trash! Keep your fingers away from dipping the foundation when using it. Instead, drip the product onto your applicator or the back of your hand before applying to keep it germ-free for longer.

Perfume will last eight to 10 years.

Fragrance is a long-lasting product in your beauty routine! Luckily, you don’t have to stress out about having to use the whole bottle in a couple of years.

Lipstick, liner, gloss, brow pencils, and kohl eyeliner will last a year.

If your lip product changes to a different texture, it’s time to throw it out! Keep your favorites in a cool, dry place to make them last longer.

Keep your brow pencils and eyeliner away from steamy bathrooms and other places where they might get damp to extend their life. Pencils are usually fine since they are always being sharpened.

Mascara should only stay in your bag for three months.

This is a very important one to remember. Make sure that you are consistently replacing old mascara to prevent eye infections. Never share your mascara with others and throw it out if you notice it clumping or smelling weird.

Liquid eyeliner will last three to four months.

Remember, with all eye products, don’t share this with others!

Blush and powders will stay good for two years.

Powder cosmetics have a longer shelf life and will last you around a full two years.

Eye shadow should be discarded after three to six months.

Even though they are a powder and can last longer (about two years like blush) you should replace them more often since they’re used around your eyes more frequently.

Gel eyeliner is good for 2 months.

This type of cosmetic might be convenient for some, but it’s unfortunately the perfect way to trap bacteria from your eyes. These should be discarded frequently.

It’s important to make sure you keep on top of throwing out old products and replacing them with the new. And who doesn’t love new makeup? The real danger to using old and expired products comes from the molecules in your makeup breaking down and turning into something else.

Expired makeup can lead to inflammations, redness, bumps, a rash, or even blisters and swelling of the skin. Your makeup can be the perfect home to germs and bacteria which can cause acne and even develop pink eye in some cases.

Make sure you keep your skin safe by remembering to regularly clean out your bag!

woman looking in the mirror and putting on product with a makeup brush

Cleaning Makeup Brushes, Makeup, and Your Bag

Now that you’ve gone through the work of cleaning out your old makeup, it’s time to get cleaning your tools, makeup, and your bag! All of these things have the opportunity to harbor germs, dirt, oil, and bacteria from your makeup to your applicator, then to your face and back to your makeup.

Makeup brushes

Cleaning your makeup brushes has many benefits. Regularly washing your brushes should be an essential part of your routine because it can prevent acne breakouts and rashes. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your brushes every seven to 10 days.

Here’s what you’ll want to do:

  1. You can use a mild soap or baby shampoo to clean your brushes.
  2. Pour a little of the soap onto your hand or cleansing mat.
  3. Lightly swirl the wet brush into the cleanser then rinse and repeat until bristles are clean.
  4. Reshape your brushes before setting them out to dry.
  5. Dry your brushes with only the handles resting against the surface. Let the bristles overhang a folded towel or drying rack to completely dry.

You can always spray your brushes with a daily cleanser or isopropyl alcohol as well in between uses to help get rid of any unwanted bacteria.

person washing a makeup brush on their hand with soap in the sink

Makeup

Keeping your brushes clean is important, but just as important is cleaning the makeup you’re dipping your applicators into! You should know how to properly clean your makeup
to make them last all the way to their expiration dates.

  • Clean your lipstick by using a cotton swab and gently scraping the top layer of lipstick. Spray your lipstick with rubbing alcohol.
  • Pencils can be cleaned by simply sharpening them before each use. If you have a retractable pencil you can also cleanse with rubbing alcohol.
  • Foundation should always be poured and not dipped into.
  • Eyeshadow, blush, bronzer and powder can be cleaned easily. Just grab a butter knife and scrape a thin portion of the product off. Disinfecting by spritzing isopropyl alcohol is a great way to get rid of the germs as well.
  • Lipgloss and mascara can be kept clean by using disposable wands and remembering not to double dip!

Makeup bag

The last part of your spring cleaning list is to clean out your makeup bag! They can get dirty quickly, and you should remove all of your products and wipe it down at least monthly! You can use antibacterial wipes for a quick cleaning!

Are You Interested in Even More Things Beauty?

If you’re a beauty maven and want to learn even more in the world of beauty, then Avalon School of Cosmetology could be the perfect place for you! We offer programs and courses in cosmetology, esthetics, makeup artistry and more to fuel your passion for makeup and beauty. We’re proud to teach our students the proper ways to use these sanitation principles in their education and keep them and our guests safe.

If you can’t wait to learn more, then get started today! We’d love to show you more about what the Avalon School of Cosmetology family can offer! Get in touch today!

makeup artist with brushes and makeup

 

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