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Spring Cleaning
Unleash your inner Martha Stewart, and kick that three-year-old lip gloss to the curb.
By Kelly Benedict

First came mascara and a pot of clear lip gloss, then before you knew it, your teenage room was overflowing with all sorts of shadows, liners, and powders. You started fresh when you moved out of your parents’ house, but soon enough, your new pad was mired in makeup—the same cosmetics chaos you’ve been living with ever since. Some products are daily staples, and then there are the clutter culprits: free samples you intend to test someday (translation: never), strange colors you might wear sometime (to a costume ball?), and beloved discontinued shades you just can’t let go of (even though you’ve had them since college).

If this sounds familiar, it’s time for an intervention. Superfluous cosmetics not only eat up valuable storage space; they can slow you down (how many times have you been late somewhere because you were scrambling to find that nub of liner amid heaps of tubes and compacts?). Even worse, products that are past their prime can lead to infection, acne, and skin irritation. For these reasons, knowing how to organize and care for your cosmetics is just as critical to your appearance as the ability to apply a flawless coat of foundation. To start turning over a new leaf now, check out our spring-cleaning guide.

Out With the Old
The first step to organizing your cosmetics is getting rid of products that have expired or otherwise overstayed their welcome. According to New York City dermatologist Dr. Katherine White, shelf life is directly related to a product’s water content. “Water breeds bacteria, so the more water your makeup contains, the faster it will become old,” she says. This means pencils and powders last longer than liquid-based products. Obviously, you should throw out any product whose expiration date has passed, but most beauty products don’t come with expiration dates.

For this reason, experts recommend getting in the habit of throwing out powders, shadows, and pencils after a maximum of two years, and cleansers, foundations, concealers, lipsticks, glosses, and nail polishes after one year at most. Mascara has an especially short lifespan, White says: “Although many cosmetics have preservatives in them to extend their shelf life, I advise discarding mascara every three to four months, because repeated use and exposure to germs can put you at risk for eye infections, such as a sty.” Sponges and brushes can also be a breeding ground for bacteria, so they should be washed on a weekly basis (you can use a special cleaner, or simply soap and water), and sponges should be replaced every month.

But these guidelines apply only under the best of circumstances. According to the FDA, “Depending on a product’s composition, packaging, preservation, and other factors…for example, [exposure] to high temperatures or sunlight…[cosmetics] may deteriorate substantially before the expiration date.” When in doubt, both White and makeup artist Tricia Catenaro recommend inspecting the product closely. Cracked, dry blush and stale, goppy mascara don’t lie, and if you detect any odor, discoloration, or change in texture, it’s time to toss it. And age isn’t the only reason some products need to be thrown to the curb. The “use it or lose it” rule applies: If you haven’t worn a cosmetic in more than six months, it’s unlikely that you ever will, so it’s time to let it go.

Keeping It New
Industry experts agree that cosmetics must taken care of—not left out to dry up, attract moisture, or be applied by rummaging roommates (remember: friends don’t let friends wear their makeup). Although many people use the bathroom as their makeup haven to keep their bedroom clutter-free, “The best way to store your makeup is in a cool, dry place—never in the bathroom, because the moisture will ruin the product,” Catenaro reveals. In fact, some products, including lipsticks and many primers, can be stored in the refrigerator to preserve freshness.

Again, brushes and tools must be cleaned on a weekly basis, but Catenaro offers another tip: “To avoid contamination and ruining the product with sweat and oil, I like to use a new cotton ball every time I apply my powder, instead of the applicator that comes with it,” she says. Another trick of the trade is to minimize contact with your products. “Any time you stick your fingers into a product, you’re contaminating it with bacteria, so it’s best to buy cosmetics that are dispensed by a pump,” says White. Also, if you find yourself with a way-too-dry-to-apply product, whatever you do, don’t add saliva. And if you do use makeup brushes, tap off excess powder instead of blowing on the brush. Saliva can introduce bacteria to the product, setting the stage up for irritation and infection.

When organizing your cosmetics, you’ll want an orderly system that enables you to easily see and retrieve your products. Solution? Invest in a cosmetic case that boasts storage compartments galore (see our suggestions in the Case Logic section). Or follow Catenaro’s lead, and take a more economical, systematic approach: “I organize my makeup by eyes, lips, cheeks, and face, and store all my products in clear plastic bags and Tupperware containers for easy access,” she says. Either way, your spring-cleaning efforts won’t go unnoticed: Your home—and your looks—will thank you for it.

Photo credit: Valentina Jori

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