How To Make Your Makeup Products Last Longer

Raise your hand if you can’t bear to toss out a decade-old eye shadow palette or cut cords with a half-used lip gloss way past its expiry date because someday you might wear them with a matching outfit. We all have a makeup bag filled with products past their prime glory that we cannot part with.

We are all guilty of it, but it’s time to change.

Whether it’s the foundation you forgot about or a viral high-end mascara you used carelessly, you may have dropped a lot of money on these beauty products. From cleaning makeup brushes regularly to storing them effectively, the longevity of makeup products depends on how you use and care for them. Let’s review some expert-recommended tips on how to make your makeup products last longer and optimise their use to reduce waste.

Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Regardless of what makeup brushes and sponges you use, you must clean them regularly. Disinfect them with an alcohol-based solution or brush cleansers to remove harmful bacteria buildup, mold, and mildew. If you often use your makeup brushes and sponges, a weekly deep clean is necessary to prevent harmful microbes from spreading. Here’s what you can do for easy cleaning:

For Makeup Brushes

Wet the tips in warm water.
Lather a bit of mild shampoo in a bowl.
Gently swirl the bristles in the shampoo solution.
Rinse the brushes in clean, warm water.
Wipe the brushes and leave them to dry flat on a towel.

For Makeup Sponges

Wet the sponge in water.
Rub it vigorously on a soap bar to loosen the residue
Gently rinse the sponges under water until no soap residue remains
Repeat the process until the brushes are clean, and leave them to dry on a towel.

Avoid Sharing Your Makeup

Although “sharing is caring,” the motto does not apply in the makeup industry. Your makeup products should be exclusively for your personal use. Brushes and sponges can easily absorb bacteria when they come into contact with others’ skin and contaminate the product. Contaminated makeup can also cause allergic reactions and lead to severe breakouts and other skin problems.

Invest In a Storage System

Your storage system also determines the longevity of your branded concealers, foundations, lipsticks, and liquid-based products. To store them effectively, make space in your refrigerator or, better still, buy a mini, portable refrigerator to store your makeup at a regulated temperature. Keeping products in a cool area helps increase the shelf life and maintain hygiene at all times.

Avoid Direct Exposure to Sunlight

If your expensive makeup products are not stored away from the sun, they will be unfit for use. Direct exposure to sunlight or steam can lead to oxidation. Oil-based products will have different water and oil layers, as the emulsifiers will separate from the product. Keep your makeup in a dark, cold, and dry environment so there’s no scope for contamination and product damage.

Water-Based Products Demand Extra Care

Your skincare products are generally water-based or oil-based. If your skin permits, you would be better off with oil-based products because they are easy to store and maintain. Of course, you can use water-based products, but you must be careful about bacterial breakdown and skin irritation, as these products are more susceptible to contamination.

Prioritise Hygiene At All Times

It’s tempting to stick your fingers into the foundation bottle to squish out every last drop of the solution, but you shouldn’t do that. Also, don’t add water or other liquids to moisten products. This will contaminate the preservative systems and affect the overall quality. Use a spatula instead to transfer the solution to your palm or a makeup sponge. While using mascara, avoid pumping the wand into the tube. The pumping increases the air in the tube and makes the formula dry and clumpy.

As beauty obsessives, saying goodbye to old makeup is tough. Since most brands use safe preservatives in their products for an extended shelf life, follow these suggestions to ensure your beloved products stay in top-notch condition for a long time.