Makeup Bag 101!

Keep this, not that.

Is your makeup bag overflowing with old cosmetics?

Beauty expert Jenn Falik has tips on ways to figure out what to toss, what to keep and how to organize your makeup bag!

Keep reading…

Face Makeup:
Toss-it: Six months for liquids; two years for powders

Insider info: You increase the odds of bacterial growth and, hence, of breakouts or irritation, when you repeatedly dip your brushes and fingers into liquid foundation. Also, as it ages, foundation can go on unevenly, creating a streaky, inconsistent finish. Powders present less of a problem because bacteria can’t grow where there’s no water. However, over time, powders with botanical ingredients like aloe or jojoba can become harder to blend and are more likely to crumble, as their trace amounts of water evaporate.

Mascara:
Toss-it: Three months

Insider info: A mascara tube is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Preservatives in a mascara only work for so long. To avoid hastening the demise of your mascara, never pump the wand — that pushes air into the tube, causing it to dry out faster. Instead, slowly draw out and twist the brush to scrape the tube’s interior and pick up product.

Eye Shadow:
Toss-it: Liquid eyeliners, three months; cream eye shadows, six months; pencil eyeliners and powder eye shadows, two years

Insider info: As they do with mascara, bacteria tend to flourish in liquid-eyeliner tubes, and the product dries out. Pencil eyeliners have a longer shelf life because you can create a fresh, clean surface each time you sharpen them. Powder shadows, like pressed powders, are less prone to contamination because they, too, lack water.

Lip Makeup:
Toss-it: Lipstick and gloss, two years; lipliner, two years or more

Insider info: Lipsticks’ water content makes them potential mini reservoirs of bacteria. Long-wearing formulas may have an even shorter life span since they often contain ingredients that evaporate more quickly than creamier formulas. Pencil lipliners, like eyeliners, may last a little longer since putting them through a sharpener removes the old surface.

Every girl should have two different makeup bags, one that stays at home and the other that can go with you when you head out the door.

Makeup Bag 1: Stays at Home:
Primer: Fusion Beauty Prime Results Multitasking Primers (Brightening, Anti-Acne, Anti-Redness, Anti-Wrinkles)

Starting off with a primer in the morning is important because it can even out the complexion and provide a perfect base for smooth application of foundation so skin looks naturally flawless. These new primers by Fusion Beauty are true multitaskers because they also each target specific skin concerns. The Brightening one minimizes discoloration and dullness while brightening and clarifying for more even skin tone. The Anti-Redness one neutralizes the look of visible redness and helps calm and soothe sensitive skin. The Anti-Wrinkle one contains hyaluronic acid which hydrates and plumps fine lines and wrinkles. And the Acne-Control helps to fight existing acne and prevent future breakouts from occurring.

Long lasting foundation: L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Serum Absolute

Utilizing the latest pigment technology and luminizing ingredients, this light to medium coverage foundation blends easily and won’t settle into fine lines or wrinkles – it lasts all day and night and comes in 12 shades.

Mascara: Peter Thomas Roth Lashes to Die For Mascara

With this mascara you can go subtle or dramatic depending on how much you layer on. And it won’t irritate even the most sensitive eyes.

Brushes: Urban Decay Good Karma Brushes

This is a complete brush set so you have everything you need – and they are naturally anti-bacterial so you don’t have to worry about them cross-polluting your products.

2nd Makeup Bag:
Concealer: Cle de Peau Concealer

Yes, it is a splurge. But the MOST worth it one ever- one stick lasts you forever, it layers so nicely on the skin, and is just all around incredible. Every single makeup artist swears by it.

Mattifier: Jouer Essential Matte Touch

This botanical mattifier can be used where needed, under makeup or alone, to absorb excess oil. So much better than using powder throughout the day that can get cakey – this is easy to apply as needed and also happens to be really good for your skin.

Eyeshadow: jane iredale Eye Steppes™ Personalized Shadow Compacts

These new palettes come in 5 gorgeous shades to enhance brown, blue or green eyes. The perfect transition from day to night! Dab a little water on a brush or qtip and use it as liner too- very multi-tasking.

Lipstick: Nars Pure Matte

Lipstick is the new gloss- instead of toting around gloopy gloss in your makeup bag, find your perfect lipstick shade and keep it on you at all times as your personal signature. It not only simplifies, but there is something very sexy about it. This is my favorite formula because it is easy to apply and hydrating at the same time.

Blush: Stila Custom Color Blush

This perceptive one-shade-fits-all powder blush reacts with your skin’s pH to create a one-of-a-kind, customized shade perfect for you! It is the easiest way ever to wake up your face, and you literally can’t mess it up.

Hand Sanitizer: CLEAN Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Cream

If you are going to freshen up your makeup during the day, in order to avoid irritations and breakouts it is important to have clean hands since you will be touching your face (no point in bringing brushes with you unless you have to!) This advanced moisturizing hand cream does not contain alcohol, kills 99.9% of germs on contact and keeps killing bacteria for up to four hours, no matter what you touch next!