ORGANIZE YOUR BEAUTY DRAWER
Is your beauty drawer so jam-packed with products, that you can never find the one you want? Are old products keeping you stuck in a beauty rut? Are you confused about what's safe to keep or throw away? Follow these clean-up tips from Myjellybean.com to get your makeup drawer back into stellar shape.
Out With The Old
Many make-up essentials, including lipsticks and powder products, have a shelf life. Keep them longer than that, and some products become nasty bacterial breeding grounds. If you're not sure of the age of a product in your beauty drawer, give it the 'scent test'. If a product is spoiled, it will smell 'off'. If you're still not sure but have your doubts, it's best to ditch it. Here's a handy guide to how long (MAX!) you can safely keep various cosmetics:
Liquid foundations = two years maximum (but if it looks like it's separating, or it smells funny, toss it)
Face Powder = 2 years
Mascara = four months
Lipstick = three years
Powder Eye Shadow = 2 years
Cream Eye Shadow = A year and a half
Lip and Eye Pencils = 2 years (sharpen regularly and they last longer)
Liquid Eyeliner = 1 year
Nail Polish = 1 year (longer if you store it in the fridge)
Use It or Lose It
The key to a well-organized beauty drawer is to keep only the items you know you'll use again. If the same product has remained there unused for several months or even years, don't hesitate to toss it. If you have a few splurges that aren't meant for everyday wear (glittery body powder, for example), keep them for the next special event. But, if the product goes unused even when you have the chance to wear it, it's time to part with it. Don't feel guilty throwing away those lipsticks that looked great in the store but raunchy at home. If you know in your heart you won't wear something, forgive yourself for making the minor (and common) mistake, and throw it out.
Keep It Simple
Identify the basics of your beauty routine (colours you wear well and frequently, for instance) and keep these well-chosen essentials. Then, make a list of anything you need to add to bring your look up-to-date. For example, if you ordinarily wear earth-toned matt eyeshadow, resist the urge to buy that hot new lavender shade you know you'll never wear. Instead, invest in an extra shimmery or metallic shadow in the same color family, as your signature shade for special nights out. If you wear lipsticks in mauve or brown tones every day, consider buying one great pink gloss or ruby red for special occasions. (Just be sure it's something you will really wear).
Give It Structure
If your makeup products are rolling around loose in a drawer or box, it's time to get better set up. Hit the local discount or dollar store and buy a plastic tray with dividers. A cutlery tray or even a fishing tackle box can work beautifully. Make sure there are enough slots for your various makeup categories, and that your makeup will fit into them. Then put everything away in its new "home". Voila, you are organized!