Crystal Art by Award Winning Crystal Artist © @sarashakeel
It’s time for a fresh start, don’t you think? While stuck at home I am sure you’ve found yourself completing (starting?) some projects around the house. Whether it’s cleaning, organizing, building, gardening, cooking - this time inside is offering up a chance for a fresh start in so many ways.
May I steer your direction to your bathroom cabinet/vanity/caboodle? Have you assessed the situation of your make-up assortment lately? No? Great, let’s assess.
First, let’s go through the whole lot and chuck the expired products. Use this handy guide to determine whether our not your products are fresh and safe to use.
Mascara - Average life span: four to six months
Do not take any chances when it come to your eyes. Germs and bacteria can cause infections and sties.
Pro-tip: Close it tightly after each use, avoid pumping the wand in and out (note to self), and though sharing is caring - do not share your mascara or any makeup for that matter.
Eyeliner - Average life span: six months to one year
Liquid liners are good for no more than six months, trash them sooner if they start to thicken up.
Pro-tip: For pencils, I recommend sharpening with every use or at least every couple of days to shave off any fresh bacteria that could be piling up.
Foundation - Average life span: one year
Pick your poison; liquids, creams, and compacts can last up to a year if kept properly. If the liquid starts to separate, cream thickens up, or you smell a funky aroma (goes without saying), it’s time to chuck it.
Concealer - Average life span: one year
Hands off. Keep your paws out of the pot (use a swab or tiny spatula to scoop) and keep the lids tight to avoid premature spoiling. You'll know your stick concealer is bad if it starts to dry out and crack or turns tough.
Blush/Eyeshadow - Average life span: one to two years
The creamy ones will last up to one year and powders about two. Crumbly powder? Toss. Again, use a swab and keep the lids tight.
Lipstick - Average life span: eight months
We’ve all seen/smelled an old lippy right? Smells like old rubber, looks dry, and the worst - no longer applies nice and smooth like. I feel like this, again, goes without saying BUT if your lipstick comes in contact with a cold sore (remember we do not share makeup) toss it.
Brushes baby - Average life span: a year or longer
Natural-hair brushes, used for powdered products can last a lifetime with proper care. Synthetic brushes used for creams only last a year. If any of your brushes start to shed, become stiff, or stop applying color evenly, it’s time to say goodbye.
Now that we’ve purged and organized, its time to sanitize!
Before we start, here is a quick run-down of some of our favorite brush soaps.
Tigers Eye Brush Soap from Sonia Roselli
Not only BEAUTIFUL, this one uses natural disinfectants like honey and tea tree oil.Brush Shampoo from Clean Apothecary
This one is enriched with argan oil and uses the cleansing power of coconut oil. It also comes in super clean scents like Grapefruit, Rose, Nag Champa and more.If you’re in or near Santa Cruz email Moon Dust Beauty Brush Soap.
Formulated by one of our very own artists, you can bet that this one is super clean.
We here at Dreamcatcher are sticklers for sanitizing. Read our step-by.-step guide to properly clean your brushes.
WASH - Wash each brush for 30 seconds, then rinse well and don’t forget the handles!
DRY - Blot with a clean towel and then dry, laying flat on a clean towel with bristles hanging past the surface.
STORE PROPERLY - Once COMPLETELY dry, keep them in a closed container to keep airborne germs from landing on them.
Pro-tip: I know its cute (and tempting) to keep your brushes displayed in a pretty glass or ceramic cup but never leave your brushes out in the open day after day. They WILL attract dust, germs and possibly curious pets.
All other tools such as pallets and spatulas should be cleaned with 70% alcohol. And while you’ve got the alcohol out, give all of your pots, pallets and brush handles a good swipe.
Now that everything is all squeaky clean should we all just do a full face for the next Zoom meeting?
See you soon, stay safe and clean.
