When it comes to decluttering our makeup collection, most of us tend to struggle. We've all been guilty of stocking up on beauty products we thought were "cute" or were persuaded to buy — our make-up bags then become unorganised and overflow with unopened items we can't part with, thinking we'll use them in the near future. If only! But, neglecting your makeup bag is not the best decision when you want to ensure the quality of the products you use. Let's take a look at why regular decluttering our beauty bags is important and how best to go about it!

 

Why You Should Spring Clean Your Makeup Collection

Taking your makeup off and having a skincare routine isn't enough to keep your skin in its prime — you also need to clean your makeup kit. Your makeup kit, believe it or not, is a breeding ground for bacteria. Your products, especially used products, carry a buildup of dead skin cells, oil, old makeup, and germs.

 

Using such old and potentially contaminated products can result in skin irritation, clogged pores, and acne breakouts, and may also increase your chances of getting fungal infections, conjunctivitis, and more. This is why for the sake of your skin and overall health, cleaning and disinfecting your cosmetics is crucial.

 

3 Easy Tips To Clean Everything In Your Makeup Bag

 

1. Divide and Conquer

Remove everything from the bag and sort your cosmetics into categories like face, cheeks, eyes, lips, and so on. Make a list of things that are about to expire or of which you have duplicates, then recycle or discard anything that has expired or that you no longer use.

If any products don't have an expiration date, use the following general guidelines to figure out how long you should keep your makeup:

• Lipstick - 1 year
• Lip gloss, pencil liner, concealer - 6 months
• Liquid Foundation, cream eyeshadows, eyebrow gel - Up to a year
• Mascara and liquid liner - 2-3 months
• Powders and eyeshadows - 1.5 - 2 years.

When it comes to nail paints and other nail essentials, throw them out once the consistency thickens and the formula becomes too sticky. You don't have to dispose of everything at once. If you're unsure about a product, keep it aside, and if you haven't used it in a week following the clean, recycle it or give it to a friend who could use it.

 

2. Give Your Makeup Tools and Products Some TLC

Here's how you can clean your makeup products and tools:

• Wash your makeup sponges, brushes, and applicators with gentle soap and water to rid of dirt and dust. Make sure you get rid of brushes that have started shedding.
• Get the gunk off your eyelash curler with a lighter.
• Clean your lipsticks with a cosmetic sanitizer wipe or stick them in the fridge overnight to rid them of bacteria.
• Use isopropyl alcohol and a clean, disposable mascara wand to get the glue and liner off your false lashes to get more uses out of them.
• Disinfect powder-based products with a spritz of alcohol.

3. Wash and Clean Your Makeup Bag

Cleaning your makeup bag is easy; you just have to know what material it's made of. If it's made of plastic, turn it inside out and wipe it down with a soapy towel before rubbing it with an alcohol-soaked cloth. If your makeup bag is made of cloth, drop it in the washing machine. You can also hand wash it to avoid damaging it. Make sure to air dry your makeup bag before putting the makeup back in to eliminate the risk of bacteria spreading.

 

Wrapping Up

Spring cleaning your makeup products is the easiest way to organise your beauty essentials. You can also consider starting your green beauty transition (if you haven't already!) by replacing conventional beauty products with green options as and when you run out. You'll be amazed at how much of a difference it can make for your skin and the environment; it's like killing two birds with one stone!