EDITING YOUR MAKE UP WARDROBE

On the third Saturday in May, The Preakness Stakes is held at the Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore, Maryland. I don't follow horse racing, but this race has become my reminder to do the spring edit, of my wardrobe, including my cosmetics.

The first consideration for cosmetics is the age of the product. When you open a product for the first time, take a moment to label it. That way, you'll know when it’s time to toss it. Avery makes tiny Multi Use Labels #5412. They are the perfect size (5/16” x 1/2”) for date labeling your make up. How do you determine the shelf life? If you look carefully at your products, there is a symbol on most of them known as the period-after-opening symbol it is a graphic symbol that identifies the useful lifetime of a cosmetic product after its package has been opened for the first time. It depicts an open cosmetics pot and is used together with a written number of months or years, i.e. 12M for 12 months, etc.

Another method is jotting the “opening date” down on the calendar.

The second factor that you should consider is style. If you can't seem to find anything like your old favorite product in the cosmetics department then it has most likely been replaced with your new favorite! The colors of make up change with the colors of current fashion and products are constantly improving with newer technology.

The third consideration is the season. Sorting the colors that compliment your summer and winter wardrobes simplifies your make up routine in the morning and helps you to travel lighter. It may help you to think of it this way: Summer is the time for a sun kissed look, sheer products and light, bright, tropical colors in your wardrobe. Winter fashions offer rich jewel-tones, earthy and neutral shades. They are complimented by deeper shadows and more opaque dramatic lip shades.

Since some products don't have expiration date, I have compiled guidelines to help you decide when to keep and when to toss. The information has been gathered from various sources, including my past cosmetic training and the following: www.webmd.com, www.dummies.com, about.com , thenest.com, realsimple.com, & allure.com (Some sources even indicate a shorter length of time)

LIQUID FOUNDATION:

12 months for oil free foundations,

18 months for moisturizing foundations & stick concealers.

POWDERS:

18 months to 2 years

CREAM BLUSHES:

1 year

POWDERED BLUSHES :

2 years

EYE SHADOW:

2-3 years

LIQUID/CREAM EYE SHADOWS:

12 months

EYE PENCILS:

2 -3 years

MASCARA & LIQUID EYELINER:

3 to 4 months

LIPSTICK:

1 – 2- years

LIP GLOSS:

6 months

MOISTURIZERS

6 to 12 months

CLEANSERS & TONERS

6 to 12 months

SUNSCREEN & SELF TAN

1 year

BRUSHES

Using clean brushes and sponges will help lengthen the life of your cosmetics. Be sure and wash or replace your applicators frequently. Brushes that are used around the eyes should be cleaned at least twice a month, while all others can be washed once a month. (Allure/Bobbi Brown) Other sources suggest that washing your brushes every 2-3 months is fine. Most agree that it should be in warm mild detergent or shampoo water, just the bristles, not above the metal part. Then rinse, blot and shape and dry flat. I actually wash my synthetic ones (foundation, concealer, etc.) after every use with bar of mild soap. There are also spray cleaners available for in between washing. As far as replacing them, for natural brushes, it is time to get a new one when the hairs are breaking away at the base or fall out onto your face as you use it. Synthetic brushes should be tossed when they fray or lose shape.

If you have questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, please let me know.

Looking forward,

Jodie