Spring is almost here, can you believe its just a few weeks away and you know what that means?  Spring Cleaning!

Spring is the time to open the blinds, air things out and get a fresh clean new start.

I have written numerous posts about Spring Cleaning for your Closet so this year I decided to move the Spring Cleaning to your Makeup Bag!

I put together some beauty spring cleaning tips that will freshen up those makeup bags and more importantly keep bacteria and breakouts at bay. Because seriously, nothing ruins a gorgeous outfit like a horrible breakout.

Grab that trash bin and let’s get started.

Beauty Tools

• Eyelash Curler.  Give it new life by replacing the rubber pad and removing any stains or residual makeup with cotton pads and makeup remover.
• Tweezers. Give them a good wipe down with a cotton pad and rubbing alcohol.
• Sharpeners. Remove the shavings, and then use a q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol to clean all of its little nooks and crannies.
• Makeup Bag. Clean from the inside out with makeup remover wipes. Wait until completely dry to return products to it.
• Brushes.  This is the biggie. Cleaning makeup brushes is crucial to preventing bacteria from spreading on the skin.  After using your makeup brushes even just a few times, your face’s natural oils, the makeup, and any other dust or dirt can begin to build up on to the bristles.  I’m not a fan of spending a gazzillion dollars on brush cleaner so I wash them weekly in shampoo and once every 2-3 weeks in an all natural easy to DIY brush cleaner that leaves them soft and smelling AMAZING.  Here is the recipe:

Hair Tools

When was the last time you wiped down your flat iron? How about your curling iron?

Ok admit it.  There is hairspray and product build up all over your hair tools.  That sticky product build up can create split ends, burn your hair and build a barrier of gunk that makes it harder for your tools to create polished curls or a smooth, straight finish.

You need to clean them.

Plug in your tool in and let it warm up, then unplug it and let it cool for a few minutes. Dampen a soft washcloth with some rubbing alcohol, and wipe the plates or wand clean while the tool is still warm—the heat will make it easier to clean, so you’re not picking and scraping at buildup that has cooled and hardened.  If the hair product is really caked on: Grab a clean toothbrush or Magic Eraser. Give tough-to-clean spots (like the lip between the plate and the plastic) a concentrated scrub.

Your Hair Dryer will need a little love too. Keeping your dryer free of debris will improve your blowout time drastically.  Start by running a clean toothbrush over the vent to remove lint.   Then twist off the vent cover to get to the filter. To clean it out, use a Q-Tip or a pair of tweezers to pull out as much debris as possible (make sure your dryer is off and unplugged before you do this).

Your Makeup

Now is the tough part.  Saying buh bye to expired products.  Ever go to apply a tube of lipstick and it has a weird stale smell?  That is because it has expired! Yes all makeup has an expiration date.  Keeping and using makeup beyond its expiry date is not only gross but it’s potentially dangerous. No matter how clean you may be, natural bacteria from your skin makes its way into your eyeshadow, mascara and foundation, which can mean that you’re reapplying that bacteria (after it has had a chance to multiply in your makeup) back onto your skin.  So here’s my tip: don’t hold on to old makeup, no matter how much you love it.

I put together a quick guide to help you know the lifespan of your products:

•  Mascara and liquid eyeliner have the shortest lifespan of all makeup because it not only dries out, meaning that you probably don’t want to wear it after three months anyway, but also because it’s applied to your eyelashes and very close to your eyes. This should be replaces every 3-4 months.
• Concealer serum, face wash, eye cream should be replaced after 6 months to a year.
• Liquid Foundation usually has a lifespan of about two years.   If you notice the color changes, the formula starts to separate or it has a funky odor, then it’s time to buy a new bottle.
• Lip and eye pencils, nail polish, powder eyeshadow, blush and powder can last up to two years IF you keep your brushes clean. If you notice the powder has gone dry and flaky, it has a greyish film over the top or it smells it’s time to throw it away.
• Lipstick has the longest lasting power.  It can last up to three years but if you notice any signs of change in texture or smell, toss it.

Here is some tough love beauty mavens: There is NO reason to keep your old expired beauty products or use dirty beauty tools.  I have friends who have confided in me that they NEVER clean their makeup brushes!  GROSS!  Keeping your products up to date and clean is so important for keeping your skin fresh and healthy.  It doesn’t cost alot of money and should become part of your monthly if not weekly beauty ritual.