Don't Breakup with Your Makeup

How cheesy is that title? Velveeta should own it. I know. I know. Moving on. Cosmetics are a part of many women's (and some men's) days and for good reason. Makeup allows us to play up (or down) features. It's like becoming a new person when you have the right makeup. It can boost your confidence, making you feel great about yourself.

Storing your cosmetics correctly extends the life of the product, thus saving you money. Cosmetics expire just like everything else. Most people don't know when to toss an old product.The FDA does not require that they list the expiration date, although some do. makeup, like food will breakdown and bacteria will begin to live in it. No one wants bacteria on their face. Old makeup can cause eye and skin irritation, breakouts, rash, allergic reactions, and the list goes on. In general, any funky odor or color change is a good indicator of what to chuck into the trash, but here is a short list to help you know what to keep and what to toss for health reasons:

•  Mascara has a shelf life of only 2 to 3 months. However, if you see it clumping, it's time for it to go.
• Lotion can last for up to 2 years! A change in color or smell is a dead giveaway that it has gone to the dark side. Opt for the kind in a "squeeze" or pump bottle over the jar because bacteria tends to live in jar lotion more abundantly.
• Liquid foundation and concealer typically last from 6 to 12 months. Look for a change in color or if the product separates into layers it needs to go. Bushes should be washed frequently and sponges tossed after each use. 
• Lipstick and lip liner will last around 2 years. If you notice that it has become dry, its probably time to get a new tube or stick.
• Lip gloss only lasts 1 year. When it gets extra sticky, its bad.
• Powered eyeshadow is good for 2 years. The older it gets, the more dry and flakier it will get.
• Perfumes can last from 8 to 10 years, but if the smell lightens or the fragrance changes, chuck it out.
• Nail polish is said to last from 1 to 2 years. When it gets goopy or you cannot get it to blend when you shake it, its time to update your color.
• Cream eyeshadow and blushes last 12 to 18 months.
• Pencil eyeliners last around 2 years. The act of sharpening them extends the life of the product.
• Liquid liner is only good for around 2 months, which to me isn't long enough for the price you pay.

Now that you have cleaned out your makeup stash, it's time to organize all the keepers. If you have lots of makeup, like I am guilty of, you are going to need more storage space, but you still want to be able to find what you need easily. My favorite go-to storage for make up is a set of the plastic stackable drawers. They are available at most stores and are relatively inexpensive. The come in a variety of colors that you can mix and match, and best of all, the number of drawers is up to you. You can buy as many or as few as you need and stack them in a convenient place. Makeup should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark pace when not in use. See my post on how to store cosmetics here. There are companies that manufacture makeup specific storage drawers, but they are pretty much the same as the drawers I show here, just pricier.

A few drawers for a few items.

Or more drawers for extra storage.

If you do not have an overabundance of makeup or you just want one container, Caboodles come in all shapes and sizes and most have a mirror to help with applying cosmetics. They also come in a variety of colors and work for storing other items as well.

This is the one I got as a teenager and still have. Very durable.

A large drawer with plenty of space dividers makes a great storage space for makeup. It is easy to see what you have and with a little organization, it can look beautiful. 

The stand that I showed you in my last post would work great for makeup storage as well. The possibilities are endless. Use your imagination and the space that you have available. See what works for you. I'm sure that no matter what you come up with it will be beautiful. Feel free to send me pictures of any space you have organized, I love seeing what you come up with. Thanks for reading and happy organizing!