Let’s admit it, there are some of us out there who are guilty of keeping our cosmetics in a grungy old zipper pouch that we may or may not have had since high school. And it’s not even a question of habit, it seems there are still many women who haven’t quite discovered the benefits of organizing their makeup and accessories. Getting ready in the morning can be so much easier when you can actually find what you need. The Week talked to salon owners for their expertise on the best practices of maintaining our cosmetics. Indeed more cosmetics don’t have to spell storage problems.
Pick drawers over counter tops
Store your makeup in drawers to keep it out of direct sunlight and away from life’s inevitable little messes. This will keep your counter space decluttered and preserve your favorite products as well.
Save space with stackable containers
Each product category should get its own compartment. Pick trays and boxes that fit together and stack easily. Bonus points if those containers are clear. You can find clear plastic organizers at any home improvement or beauty supply store. If you prefer the look of wooden or lacquered plastic containers, label your trays and dividers so you know exactly what is inside.
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Separate out what you use regularly
Store your containers in order of what gets the most use. If you don’t wear eye shadow on a daily basis, don’t stack that tray on top. Pull out the products you use every day and make the top tray your “every day face.” That way your foundation, concealer, mascara, or whatever your essentials may be, will be easily accessible.
Store it so you can see it
The only problem with staring into a sea of lipsticks is finding the shade you’re looking for. Store lipstick upside down so you can read the color name on the bottom. The same principle applies to powders, shadows and compacts. If the top is clear, store them right side up. If not, flip them over so you can see the label. Avoid stacking individual products on top of each other so you don’t have to dig for the shade you want.
Sort your brushes
Brushes get divided into two categories: face and eyes. Keeping them separate will save you from losing your eyeliner brush in the bristles of your fluffy powder brushes. Store them standing upright in jars. Fill the bottom of each jar with coffee beans, rice or pebbles so the brush heads won’t touch each other.
Edit often
Every six months or so, go through and edit out expired products and makeup you haven’t used since your last edit. So as a general rule, you should replace your mascara every three months, eyeliner and eye shadow every six to 12 months, and lipstick every one and a half years. Meanwhile, the average expiration date for foundation, powder, and other facial makeup is 12 months. Your monthly sweep is also the perfect time to clean your makeup brushes and tools.
Tips based on experience
-Bacteria, molds, fungi that grow in cosmetics, may cause various unpleasant skin reactions, and they thrive in warm and humid conditions. That’s why cosmetics should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. It is not recommended to store makeup in the bathroom (very damp). Please note that cosmetics do not like the heat and quickly deteriorate. You can store cosmetics (especially creams, lotions) in the refrigerator. According to experts, the ideal temperature is apparently 8-12 degrees Celsius.
-Thoroughly cover the jars, tubes and bottles. Avoid prolonged contact of cosmetic products with the air.
-Powdery (shadow, blush, powder) are stored best because they do not contain water. Their average shelf life is three years. As soon as you notice that the eye shadows began to crumble – trash it!
-Lipstick can also serve you well for the same promised three years. But matte lipstick dries much faster and usually deteriorates sooner. And as soon as you feel that lipstick has rancid taste, throw it away.
-Try to avoid using foundation more than a year. Carefully close the box and never take cream with your fingers straight from the jar.
-Mascara should be replaced every three to six months. If you are prone to eye diseases, choose waterproof mascara; vaseline based solvents make an unfavorable environment for bacteria. In order to maximize mascara shelf life, try to minimize the time when the tube is opened and, in any case, do not leave it open.
-Eyeliner can work for you for a long time, especially if you do not forget to close the cap after use and sharpen them regularly.
-Means for removing makeup and tonics should be used exclusively and according the period indicated on the package. Close them with care and store in a cool place.
-Another hint: If you have over 10 lip-glosses for this season, and you’ve got eleventh – do not hurry to open it. Keep it in the refrigerator. This way you can keep it intact until at least the next season.
