When Does My Makeup Products Expire? - Makeup Hygiene #3

As far as I know, makeup products do not have expiration dates. Or do you know? They can even expire immediately you open it. If you want them to last longer then you will need to handle them properly.

Based on their formulation and their susceptibility to contamination from use, professionals in the makeup industry around the world have come up with make up products life span charts such as this :

Foundation.   1yr - 11/2yr

Eye shadow.  1yr - 11/2

Lipstick.         11/2yr - 2yrs

Mascara.        3 - 6 months

Blush.             11/2yr - 2yrs

Lipgloss.        11/2yr - 2yrs

Lip Pencil.      1yr - 2yrs

Bronzer.          11/2 - 2yrs

Eyeliner           6months - 1yr

Eye pencil.     1yr - 2yrs

Powder.          11/2 - 2yrs


Generally, you need to stop using makeup when you see these signs

1. When they begin to smell badly

2. Have water on top eg. Foundation, concealer etc.

3. Looses it consistency, becomes hard and difficult to apply or becomes gloppy like in lip gloss.

4. When you get irritated, itchy or inflamed skin.

If there is anything I omitted under the series Makeup Hygiene, fill it in please in the comment below.


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#Makeup Hygiene - A Must Read For Anyone Who Wears Makeup.

#Makeup Hygiene #2

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Makeup Hygiene #2

     This post is a continuation of my previous article, Makeup Hygiene #1. In this writeup, I will be sharing with you info on how to keep your makeup applicators, makeup products, and tools clean.

    Please just follow up.

Eye shadow/ Powder/ Powdered foundation/ Blush/Bronzer
    Spraying these products with alcohol before each use might sanitize them but can also ruin them overtime and shorten their lifespan. Use sterilized spatulas to scoop products from their containers especially the cream-based products and place them on clean sterilized pallets to work with instead of double dipping. Avoid applying this products from their containers with your fingers instead make use of brushes and makeup applicators.


Makeup products with pumps ( foundations, concealers, lip gloss)
     Makeup products with pumps are usually pressed out onto pallets or the hand for application. Make sure the pallets are clean and sterilized. The hands too should be washed properly and cleaned and/or sanitized. That's why , hand sanitizer is a must have in your beauty bag ( not only during Ebola epidemic.. Looks). That was by the way sha...

Sharpener/Eyelash curler/ Reusable strip eyelashes/ Spatula /Spooley/ Tweezers ...
   To clean, dip a cotton wool/pad into alcohol and use it to clean the makeup tools. Let it evaporate to be effective instead of wiping clean with cloth.

Beauty Blender/Sponge
     Makeup-build up in beauty blender gives a less-than perfect makeup application. They also pick up skin oils, cells and bacteria.

How to clean
    1. After each use, rinse makeup sponge with warm water. Squeeze out excess water. Pat dry on clean towel/cloth. Air dry or dry under the sun.

    2. If you use makeup everyday, once a week, wash with a mild shampoo or organic soap. Rinse well with excess water. Squeeze out excess water and dry.
Discard the sponge after a month.

Powder Puff/ Blending Wedges
Use these once or twice and dispose. Buy  them in bulk, it cost less and its affordable.

Brush
   1. In keeping makeup brush clean, the rule of the thumb is to clean makeup brush after each use.

How to clean
    To clean after each use,spray alcohol lightly on a paper towel or preferably damp wipes (I use baby wipes ). Rub the brush bristles along the surface and remove excess makeup.
Note: Do not dip your brush into alcohol because, the brush will dry out and get bad really quick.

  2. Thoroughly clean your brushes once a week if you wear makeup everyday or once in two weeks if you do not.

How to clean
      To thoroughly clean your brushes, use mild shampoo, organic soap or brush cleaner.

      First, wash off excess makeup from your brushes with lukewarm water.

     If you are using a liquid form of the cleaning agent,
1. Apply a small amount of it to your brush and gently lather.
2. Rinse with excess lukewarm water.
3. Gently Squeeze out excess water.
4. Pat dry on clean cloth or towel. Leave it on flat surface to air dry.
   
      Another way is to add a small amount to a bowl of water (about 1tbsp of the liquid cleaning agent  to 1Cup of lukewarm water). Then swirl the brushes in the water, and follow the process above 2-4.

    If you are using a solid form of the cleaning agent, rub the bristles along the bar, after wishing off excess makeup with lukewarm water and gently lather. Finish up  by doing the above process 2-4.

Note: Take care not to let the water get into the handle especially this applies to wooden handle brushes. Moist handles breed bacteria and also shortens the life of the brush.
   Discard brush, if the bristles start to fray or fall out.

Lipstick
    To disinfect lipstick, dip it in alcohol of for about 10 seconds and wipe off gently so as not to break your lipstick or better, allow the alcohol to evaporate. I do use isopropyl alcohol to disinfect, that one used in hospitals.

Eye pencils/ Lip pencils
    Sharpen the pencil before each use to remove the old layer and expose the new inner layer. To avoid contamination, do not wet the tip with saliva or water.

Eye shadow applicators/Eyeliner applicators
Disposables are better, since they get clogged with products easily.

Mascara wand
Having a good number of disposable mascara wand in your beauty bag prevents overuse of one. Dispose after use.

Cotton buds
Dispose after each use. After all , they come in so much quantity.



What this article helpful or not? I will like to know.. Express your views in the comment box below..

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How Do I Know My Skin Type?

To successfully maintain good skin care and beauty routine, you should know your skin type at any time since it is subject to change with growth, diet and weather change.

The basic skin types are

*Oily skin
*Dry skin
*Normal Skin
*Combination skin
*Sensitive/Reactive Skin


To determine your skin type, you can observe the face for features and/or carry out a test.

Oily Skin
An oily skin produces much sebum so has oiliness all over the face even shortly after having a bath. It is quite undesirable since you will have to dab your face many times in a day.
It has large pores and its prone to breakouts, pimples, blackheads and blemishes.
The good thing about this skin type, is that it hardly ages and wrinkles because the oil keeps the skin plump and thicker.


Dry Skin
Dry skin produces less sebum and so it is usually ashy and grey with fine lines and wrinkles , that appear too.
If not properly taken care of, dry skin is rough and forms flakes.
Dry skin ages faster.

Combination Skin
Combination skin is usually oily on the T-Zone, that it the forehead, nose and chin) leaving the other parts dry. It does experience changes with the weather.
It breaks out occasionally.

Normal Skin
Normal skin is not too oily or too dry. It has an even skin texture. It hardly breaks out.

Sensitive/Reactive Skin
This skin is prone to rashes, redness and breakouts with weather change, product change. Sensitive skin can be either dry or oily.


Test to determine skin type
All you need is a oil blotting paper

Directions
Wash you face and pat dry
Leave your face plain without applying anything for about 3-4 hours.
Clean your hand and make sure its dry.
Using the oil blotting paper, dab each area of the face separately ( forehead, nose, cheeks, chin). Also make sure you are not sweating before the dabbing.

You will notice oil absorbed by the any blotting paper that is used on an oily area or none for areas without oil.

The above picture of what my test looked like after about 3-4 hours. It just confirmed how oily the skin on my face is.


Skin Type Testing Machine
In Spas, skin type testing machine is common. Its an automatic faster way to test ones skin type. They are placed on the skin and they have indicators they gives results from auto skin analysis.


Go see a Skin Doctor 
A skin doctor is also in a better position to tell you what your skin type is. A skin doctor a professional in skin care like a dermatologist, esthetician, beautician.


Skin Change
Skin types do change for most people, depending on the air and humidity levels. For example, an oily skin can become dry in winter, harmattan or dry season.
As we age, the sebum production rate also is affected by hormones and body metabolism.

So what's your skin type now? 

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Makeup Hygiene - A must-read for everyone who wears makeup!!

   As long as you wear makeup, you must take makeup hygiene seriously. I find it shocking when I hear or see how ladies handle their makeup products. Quite embarrassing to share. So I am not gisting that part ohh.

   From interviews and discussions, i found out that the reason is more about not being informed and it-does-not-really-matter attitude. No matter what the reason might be your makeup will be making your skin down instead of making you up.

   Are your already having reoccurring breakouts, pimples or acne each time you makeup, aside from the fact that you might be allergic to your makeup, makeup hygiene is something you should reconsider.

   Save this post and check it up anytime you need some reminders.

Makeup Hygiene 101- A general overview

1* Store makeup products in a cool, dry place. Do not keep your makeup products in humid/damp areas like your bathroom or in hot places like by Windows, in cars under the sun. This also implies that you do purchase your makeup products in stores where the heat of the day is minimal and does not beat the products.

2* Make sure to close your makeup containers tightly after each use and when not using it.

3* Keep your makeup tools clean. A detailed writeup on this how to keep your makeup tools clean will be next on this series. So stay tuned.

4* Remember to wash your hands and/or sanitize your hands  before you make up.

5* Do not forget to makeup on a clean face. So clean your face off sweat and dirt and then start your makeup for the day.

6* Clean your makeup cases and bags frequently and when necessary. They accumulate dirt, makeup products and bacteria overtime.

7* Discard makeup products if it smells badly, has water on top, changes color or loses its consistency or becomes hard and difficult to apply.

8* Avoid testers in makeup stores. They accumulate various kinds of  microbes/bacteria from hundreds of people. If you have to, then do so in stores that use disposable applicators and also disinfect their testers. This also means you should not share makeup products even with your sisters without cleaning it in between.

9* Never add saliva or water to makeup products. Eg. Mascara, Eyepencils. Etc

10* Double dipping is another aspect in makeup that is most times overlooked. Instead of double dipping, use spatulas to scoop products from original containers and place on clean pallets to be uses. You should be more concerned if you are working with more than one client.


Reason why makeup hygiene is a MUST

Once makeup products are opened, they become susceptible to germs and bacteria which breeds and builds u. These microbes get transferred to our skin and cause skin problems like acne, pimples, dark spots and infections like eczema and others.

Next on this series, is how to properly keep makeup applicators/products clean Makeup Hygiene #2 .

If you have questions or comments, it is welcomed. Do so in the box below.


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