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By Stacey Caruso

Spring is here ladies and while we often do a spring clean of our wardrobe and garage we sometimes forget about our makeup drawer!

When was the last time you went through your blushes, lipsticks and eyeliners and tossed out anything you haven’t worn in years or that you purchased back in the 90’s?

It’s amazing to me that so many women are unaware that makeup has an expiration date, and like your dairy products from the supermarket, once beauty products are opened there is an ideal time frame in which to use them.

Often when I have makeup lessons with clients I invite them to bring their makeup bag so we can go through it together and make little piles of what to toss, what to keep and what to invest in during their next visit to their favourite makeup store.

Women feel so much better after a little de-clutter and trust me, your makeup bag is no exception! If you haven’t used it for over a year it’s time to let it go and to treat yourself to some new products! So without any further procrastinating, here is my quick guide to what to purge and what to save!

stacey caruso; adelady; makeup; spring clean your makeup bag

FOUNDATIONS

Any liquid/cream foundations once opened will begin to oxidise and over time can change colour. Absolute maximum time to keep powder foundation is 2 years, but I would look at liquids and creams anywhere from 6-12 months and make sure they haven’t begun to separate.

stacey caruso; adelady; makeup; spring clean your makeup bagImage credit: meccacosmetica

LIPSTICKS/LIPGLOSSES

Lipsticks will begin to smell funny when they are due for the rubbish and trust me when I say that when they smell like that you won’t want them on your lips! 12-24 months is the maximum I would keep lip products as they can build up with bacteria and also dry out.

stacey caruso; adelady; makeup; spring clean your makeup bag

POWDER SHADOWS/POWDER BLUSHES/FACE POWDER

Most powder products generally last longer than anything that’s a liquid or cream formula. I would keep any powder makeup for 2 years. If you’re still using your favourite blush after this time and you have lots of product left it doesn’t hurt to keep it a little longer.

stacey caruso; adelady; makeup; spring clean your makeup bag

MASCARAS/EYELINERS

Now these are two products that women love to hang onto!!! Why????!!! How many of you have applied your makeup and then throughout the day seem to have an eye that just wont stop weeping?

That is often a sign that its time to replace your mascara/liner. These two products should be looked at after 3 months and not kept any longer than 6 months. Yep, 6 months Adeladies! Bacteria can build up in mascaras and liquid liners, and with pencils ensure you are always sharpening them to keep them clean.

One final tip to keep your makeup clean and bacteria free, is to clean and sanitise the product with rubbing alcohol.

ISOCOL can be purchased at any supermarket or pharmacy and using it with a small pump bottle, you can spray your lipsticks and wipe your foundation bottles etc to keep everything clean and fresh.

stacey caruso; adelady; makeup; spring clean your makeup bag

I hope that helps, please let me know if you have ANY questions at all — that’s what I’m here for!

Stacey xx

Hayley Pearson

Hayley Pearson

Co-Creator and Writer for Adelady, she still gets goosebumps that she’s combined her creative passion with sharing the best of her stunning home state.

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