I don’t know about you but I love decluttering. I spend months thinking about it and can’t ever make up my mind what should go and what should stay but once I get started there is no holding back!
The problem is making that start without emotion.
The dilemma then presents itself…
- What goes to the charity shop?
- What goes onto Ebay?
- Should I have a car boot sale?
- Should I take it to the tip?
Pricing is the biggest problem because the value I put on something is not necessarily what others are prepared to pay even if it did cost a fortune in the first place!
I’m sure that’s why people tend to hoard items which haven’t seen the light of day for years and so it goes on.
In my house it isn’t just the mountains of clothes, shoes, scarves and hats which take up the space but all the bric-a-brac and books. Most of the time I can’t even remember where and when I made the purchase.
Anyway, enough about me!
The important issue is – how often do you delve into that make-up bag or bathroom cupboard to find that many of the products are out of date?
▪ Apart from the obvious expiry date, which must be written on the product legally, you’ll know it’s time for a change if the fragrance starts to smell stale or if the colour changes and the texture becomes runny or hard.
▪ It’s not generally a problem with cleansers and moisturisers because they are used twice daily and will run out well before the expiry date but if a skin product gets overlooked, it may lose its beneficial properties and may even become harmful.
▪ It’s a good idea to spoon out small amounts of moisturiser as you need it if it is packaged in a jar, to try and avoid the spread of bacteria.
▪ Make-up bags are often a revelation of which I’m sure we are all guilty. Eye cosmetics are the biggest concern because of the bacteria that breeds in this area naturally. Mascaras and eye liners can easily pick up bacteria which then multiply. It is advised by experts that mascara, should be changed every 3 months and eye liners should be sharpened regularly to reveal new tips.
▪ If you use sponges or brushes to apply products, make sure you wash them at least weekly as these collect product residue, sebum and dead skin cells from your face.
▪ Lipsticks easily last up to two years but never share them with friends especially if you suffer from cold sores.
In conclusion, here is a simple guide to keeping your make-up in good condition:
- Always wash your hands before applying any products to your face.
- Wash all applicators and brushes weekly in soapy water.
- If you are trying out testers at your make-up counter, make sure you apply them to the back of your hand, and not directly to your face.
- Never share products with anyone.
- Keep all lids tightly shut, because exposure to the air may affect the contents.