If you’re anything like me, you love to collect make-up! Sometimes you buy things in a store and end up hardly using it. Or maybe you are waiting for the perfect time to wear that shade of red lipstick. Those ‘some days’ just may never come. We all do this and end up with a pile of makeup that we will never end up using.

Just as everything has a shelf life, so does make-up. Now is the perfect time to go through your make-up collection and see what has passed it’s expiration date or that is just not being used. Anything that has passed it’s date needs to be tossed. And anything that you aren’t using, go ahead and toss. More than likely, you won’t miss it! Be ruthless!

Foundation – You’ll need to check the ingredients on this. Anything water-based will last about 12 months. Oil-based can last up to 18 months. It can separate or dry up and it is hard to use at this point.

Eyeshadow – Powders: It’s good to replace every 2 years. Creams: It’s good to replace 9-12. Check for when they start to dry out.

Eye liner – This should be replaced every 2 years. It needs to be sharpened regularly.

Concealer – Up to 12 months.

Lipstick – It’s good to replace this every year as bacteria can collect and live on the stick. A change in the way it tastes or smells means to toss it!

Lip liner – This should be replaced every 2 years. It needs to be sharpened regularly.

Mascara – Up to 3 months. This is the product that will need to be tossed as soon as it dries out or at the 3 months mark.

Nail Polish – Up to 12 months or when it starts to get thick.

Powder – Up to 2 years.

Blush – Replace every 2 years. Cream blush needs to be replaced 9-12 months. Check for it being dried out.

Let’s face it! Professional makeup brushes are an investment. And, like any other investment, we want a great return on that investment. One of best ways to ensure that will happen is proper brush care. One of the best things you can do for your brushes is to clean them – regularly. Clean them when they are first purchased and clean them on a regular basis to remove:

	Old makeup
	Dirt & debris
	Bacteria
	Oils
	Dead skin cells

One of the greatest benefits to keeping your brushes clean is softness! Did you realize that makeup buildup, especially foundation, makes your brushes feel scratchy? If you have sensitive skin, cleaning your brushes regularly will help them stay soft and lush and your skin will thank you!

How often should you clean your brushes? Ideally, everyday. But, who has time for that? So, here are a few guidelines:

	Foundation Brushes – minimum once a week
	Brushes used for finishing powders and bronzers – once a week
	Blush Brushes – one a week
	Eyeshadow Brushes – every 2-3 days
	Eyeliner Brushes – after every use especially if you use an eyeliner sealant.

For those that suffer with acne, you will greatly benefit from keeping your foundation brushes clean at all times. To cut down on cleaning time, rotate brushes so you always have a fresh clean one to use.

How to clean your brushes:

First, you want to wet the hairs under the faucet with tepid to warm water with the hairs pointing downwards – this will help prevent any water getting in to the ferrule (metal part) or down in to the handle for brushes that don’t have ferrules.

Next you want to use a mild shampoo, liquid hand soap, pure castile soap or my favorite baby shampoo. Squirt a little soap on your fingers and apply it to the hairs from ferrule to hair tips. Gently squeeze the hairs from ferrule to hair tips over and over adding a little water at a time. Rinse and repeat until the water runs clear. Make sure when you are rinsing to keep the brush hairs pointing down.

After your brushes have a good bath, brush them off a little on a clean paper towel and lay them to dry on their side on a paper towel or a regular towel. It is also a good idea to reshape the brush at this point in time to prevent splaying. Lay kabuki’s and any other stand-up brush on their side. Never leave them to dry brush hairs up in a brush holder. The water can run down in to the ferrule and loosen the glue holding the brush together over time.

Lastly, let brushes dry completely before using. Dry time will depend on size and brush density.

Keeping your brushes in good condition by washing frequently will provide you with years of beautiful makeup application!