Here are a few of HL’s favorite tips and tricks to help you sort through your beauty buildup:
DISPOSE
Sometimes it’s hard to sum up the courage to throw away that unused eye shadow, or washed-up tube of lipstick, so to ease the stress of saying bye-bye to beauty products gather them in one place and sort through the whole lot at one time. Once you’ve realized how much you actually have, it’ll be easier to toss the loss. Dispose of anything that looks or smells strange, is expired, or past its prime. (As a general rule for the lifespan of makeup, it is: three months for mascara; six months for gels, liquids, or creams; one year for hair, body, and skincare products; and one to two years for dry or powder products.) Next, and certainly the hardest, is to toss ALL products you never wear or don’t really like. By now, you are aware of what does and does not flatter your skin type, so it’s best to not keep items around that will just end up gathering dust powder.
DECIDE on the Basics
Once you’ve sorted through everything, you can figure out what’s missing from your kit. Find which basics you need, and stick to the bare minimum for day and evening looks. (If you need help finding your right match, go to your favorite makeup counter like Blue Mercury in Lake Forest, and have them suggest a few to try.) If you found yourself throwing away more of one type of beauty product, I suggest you stop buying more of what you’ve just thrown away until you’ve used up what you already own!
DECK OUT
Equipping yourself with the proper brushes and beauty tools is the first step to flawless makeup. A BASIC brush kit, usually includes a foundation brush (for applying or blending foundation, concealer, highlighter, or cream blush); a powder brush (for powders and bronzers); a flat eyeshadow brush (for laying down cream shadows or base eye colors); a fluffy, domed eyeshadow brush (for blending shadows); a brow brush (for grooming brows); and tweezers. To guarantee they last (and stay sanitary), wash brushes in warm water once a week with a brush cleanser or baby shampoo.
—Words by Meryl Fulinara
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