Spring clean your makeup bag
- Every day – Be honest now 🙂 Your day to day cosmetics, tools and brushes
- Special occasion/evening – Bold lipsticks, less frequently used brushes, smokey eyeshadow palette, those false lashes you got at Mecca last time you had your makeup done.
- Anything left over – Including makeup that you don’t love, don’t use, are broken or expired. If there is no pile 3, you are a) you are already at expert status b) have makeup attachment issues/living in makeup denial. There is hope, keep reading.
Size Matters
Choose bags relative to the size of your every day and special occasion makeup collection.
If you can’t zip up your bags and tuck away in the top drawer for easy storage, you need bigger makeup bags! We love Sportsgirl and Typo for cute and affordable bags you can throw in the washing machine and replace each spring without breaking the bank.
In terms of brushes and tools empty glass candle jars are the perfect brush and tool holders to ensure your brushes don’t get squashed and will remind you to clean them weekly (atleast). Lift excess wax residue with boiling water and detergent, and place jars on a beautiful tray - chic and organised.
Polish and Revive
Throw your makeup bag in the washing machine and clean your cosmetics cases and makeup brush handles with tea-tree or orange oil on a hand towel. Wipe over your makeup to remove dust, sanitise and leave sparkly clean. Wash your brushes with hand soap, shampoo or my favourite – ‘Sard Wondersoap’ from the laundry aisle and warm water for good as new brushes.
NOTE: If you have any broken containers or cosmetics, decant into travel pots and containers to avoid spillage and contamination. Once again – see Kmart or Priceline for awesome makeup storage solutions.
If your mascara has a funky smell, your powder has a hard film, your foundation has separated or your eyeliner leaves your eyes red, throw it in the bin. Or if it's MAC, you can return six empty MAC container to your nearest MAC store and they will give you a brand new lipstick or eyeshadow of your choice to thank you for recycling as a part of their ‘back to Mac’ program.
Proving it hasn’t expired, if you haven’t used it in 6months - 'bin it' or have a skincare and cosmetic swap meet with your girlfriends to avoid wastage, you all bring a few bits and pieces next time you meet up.
For sanitary reasons mascara, gloss with doe foot applicators and other fibrous applicators should not be swapped or shared. Prior to swapping other cosmetics thoroughly sanitise with hospital grade steriliser or rubbing alcohol where cross contamination can occur such as with lipstick, lipliner, eyeliners and other products which require direct application.
- 1 point for your maybelline, covergirl, australis, models prefer
- 2 points for loreal, bourgeois, bare minerals
- 3 points for Chanel, Hourglass, By Terry
Swap with something of equal value…you get the picture.
Book in for the ultimate personal makeup lesson and makeup bag makeover with an Airlie&Co makeup artist who will help you sort out your cosmetic and skincare wardrobe, give you unbiased expert advice, and show you the potential of your current makeup bag.
Whether you are looking to perfect your ten minute morning routine or be your own makeup artist for special occasions, this is an investment in you and also makes the perfect gift for those who have already have everything.