Makeup
A girl should be two things – classy and fabulous! – Coco Chanel
And to look classy and fabulous always, they need to up their makeup game! But how does one do that? Well, to begin with, it takes discipline and dedication, and a commitment towards makeup. And no, this is not just limited to following a proper makeup regime but also caring for makeup. Unfortunately, while we all love buying makeup, we do not pay heed to caring for our makeup products.
Imagine the worst nightmare coming true – one happens to use ‘the’ red lipstick, a super expensive one, they had kept aside for special occasions. However on using it, it not only smelt different, but ended up giving one severe rashes and a swollen lip! Why did this happen? Simply because makeup products need to be used and cared for.
Caring for one’s makeup is important because it doesn’t last forever but with proper care, it’s lifespan can be increased.
Here are few simple yet effect makeup storage ideas that can work wonders in prolonging products’ life:
#1. Get the storage right and keep it clean
Makeup – all kinds, lipsticks, eyeshadows, mousse, foundations, etc. need to be stored in a cool and dry place. Many of us keep our makeup in the bathroom, exposed to the wet and humid atmosphere. The damp air will ruin the makeup faster. It is also important to note that once one is back from the beach or a trek, the makeup needs to be stored back in its proper dry and cool place. If it is left in the bag or the car, freezing will cause the emulsification to break down.
How will we know it is ruined? Well, it would lose its smoothness.
For storage, it is important that we have a dedicated drawer or a small cupboard to store makeup. There are lipstick cases available too that can help showcase all different shades of lipsticks. For crayon sticks and kohl sticks, mascara, etc. a pen holder can do the trick.
It is important to clean everything if we want them to work right. Makeup brushes should be cleaned every 2-3 days. This can be done with a gentle makeup remover. Dab the solution in a cotton swipe and wipe the brushes clean. The brushes can be washed with mild soap as well.
If we have makeup brushes made of natural fibers, they may be cleaned once a month only. They are best cleaned with baby shampoo and water. To dry the bristles, blot the water on a tissue paper and leave it on the side to air dry.
Also, do not give up on your makeup. Most of us make this mistake. Makeup can be revived. For e.g. some lipstick crayons lose their sharpness and look gnawed at because we happen to use the wrong sharpeners. Use proper sized branded sharpeners to ensure your lipstick crayons or kohl pencils last longer. If the crayon is melting, place it in the fridge for about 30 mins and then sharpen it.
#2. Choose the right makeup for skin tone
Many of us are victims of trends. We end up buying makeup because certain products are in trend. However, when it is time to use them, we realize that it simply doesn’t suit us and then, it just becomes another ignored product. To avoid such waste of money as well as space, it is best to consult the expert at makeup stores who can guide us to the right colors and shades for our skin tone.
Additionally, it also important to know the right shade of a color that suits one best. For e.g. The color red has many variations. It could be crimson, rose, tomato or any other. Shades of blue and green also vary. An image consultant can further assist one in making the right choices to selecting colors that suit their personality best. Choice of color will also be determined based on the event or occasion one attends.
#3. Time to let go
No one is going to say this out aloud. Not many brands state this openly but over a period of time, namely, one year, makeup products should be retired. If not, certain products begin to smell. One can rely on the good old sniff test and if it smells weird, it’s time to replace it.
Bronzers, blushers, eye shadows etc. may last for over two years. For mascaras, well ideally, they need to be replaced every three months. Sounds crazy? But it’s the truth. Because a mascara is wet and moist, it attracts more bacteria than other products. If not timely changed, it can cause eye infections.
Lipsticks are like lightbulbs – they might just go off. They will start to smell weird and their texture changes and so does their color.
In the case of perfumes, some last up to five years. But the floral and citrus scents may die sooner. So, to save on costs and not let the perfumes go waste, invest in smaller bottles.
Just like us, our makeup also needs a lot of TLC. And if we respect it, it will respect us, i.e. make us look even better each time! It is not only what we use but how we use it!