Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but true power lies in the beauty bag. A woman’s makeup bag is akin to a chef’s mis en place — it’s integral to success. Everyone constantly extols the virtues of cleaning out the closet, but nobody puts beauty in a corner. When left unchecked, the makeup bag can often become a dumping ground for product way past its prime. To stay on top of your stuff, consider these three makeup-cleansing commandments…
Thou Shall Clean Thy Brushes
Start by cleansing your brushes, since they come in contact with your face most often. Brushes can be a bit of a breeding ground for germs, so optimally they should be cleaned at least once a week. Use a gentle cleanser, such as baby soap, to attend to your bristles. Make sure to reform the brushes after cleansing and give them ample time to dry before resuming use. You should also wipe down all your other tools, like eyelash curlers and tweezers, with a gentle antibacterial cleanser on a consistent basis.
Thou Shall Not Hold On To Old Mascara
Just like brushes, mascara can hold onto bacteria and transfer it into your eyes, which can lead to unwanted infection. So do the right thing and part with your mascara once it gets dry and lumpy, usually after three months. Your eyes will thank you.
Thou Shall Part With All Unflattering Shades
Sure, it may have been your favourite eyeshadow shade in sixth grade, but if it does nothing for you now then let it go. If your choice in colour is causing you to stop traffic for all the wrong reasons, then it may be time to part ways. Don’t suffer separation anxiety — neutral palettes like the Naked by Urban Decay offer a variety of options that will be sure to flatter your best features.
