MAKE-UP BAG?
What’s in your
MAKE-UP BAG? …THE USUAL ESSENTIALS – MASCARA, LIPSTICK, EYELINER – BUT THERE’S ALSO SOME UNINVITED GUESTS – HARMFUL BACTERIA, AND OUT-OF-DATE COSMETICS ARE WHERE THEY LIKE TO HIDE
MASCARA
One in five British women* think mascara is the most important item in their make-up bag. They also often share it with friends on a night out and change it once in a blue moon or when it’s run out. However, even if it’s not looking clumpy, it should still be replaced every four to six months. And if it’s drying out, never add water to it. A mascara tube and applicator can be teeming with bacteria, which can lead to severe eye infections, such as conjunctivitis. Every time you pump mascara to get more product on the brush, it’s drying out inside, creating a dry, dark breeding ground for germs. Putting that mascara onto your wand and onto your eyelash, then back and forth again, passes germs from your eye to the tube, where they’ll continue to live and breed. To try to limit the amount of bacteria, swirl the brush inside instead of pumping it up and down.
LIPSTICK
It’s easy to keep your lipstick collection for years, and it’s not unusual to have several knocking around at the bottom of your makeup bag. However, they should really be thrown out after 18 months. To prolong their life, scrape off a thin layer to remove any residue or germs – use a cotton bud or slice the top off with a kitchen knife. ‘A great tip is to pop them in the freezer overnight to kill bacteria,’ recommends Ariane. However, if it looks a funny colour and has started to smell odd, throw it away.
EYELINER
Pencils are the easiest to clean. When sharpened, the top layer with any bacteria is instantly removed; you can also spray it with sanitising mist for an extra clean. As with mascara, bacteria flourishes in liquid eyeliner as the brush is constantly carrying germs from the eye and back into the bottle, so replace every three months. To avoid getting an eye infection, don’t use eyeliner on your waterline as this can block the oil glands that protect your cornea.
FOUNDATION
Even though this has a fairly long shelf-life of about 12 months, you should change it after six, because fingers, sponges and make-up brushes spread bacteria.
If your foundation becomes thick, lumpy or separated, it’s past its expiration date and should be thrown away. To extend its life, use a clean brush or sponge every time you apply it and store it in a cool place. And try to stick to just one foundation that serves all your needs.
POWDERS AND EYESHADOWS
Face powder lasts longer than most cosmetics and can be kept for up to two years. However, to minimise contamination, keep your brush clean and the lid firmly shut. Powder eyeshadows work in the same way, unless you wet them or the brush when applying – in which case, dispose after six months. As eyeshadows near their expiry date they don’t perform as well as when new – they get packed down, making it harder to pick up pigment with your brush. Take the weight out of your cosmetics bag by ditching the pots and choosing a palette. Opt for a colour theme and stick to it – browns with a slight shimmer tend to complement older women.
CONCEALER
Because concealer contains oils and hydrating agents, if it dries out or changes texture and becomes cakey, bin it. Ironically, it’ll just make those breakouts you’re trying to conceal even worse. Don’t keep it longer than 18 months.
WORDS: ABI HARMAN, IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES, FOR STOCKISTS: SEE PG 279, * WWW.MAKEUPBRUSHES.CO.UK
L
ike food and drink, make-up has an expiry date. Keeping products for longer than their shelf life can cause skin irritation and break-outs, but it can also do far worse, including acne, as well as urinary infections. ‘This is why it’s important to clean out your make-up bag regularly to avoid bacteria build up on products that could essentially be making you ill – and you don’t even know it!’ says celebrity make-up artist Ariane Poole.
166 | AUGUST 2016
166-167 Makeup.indd 166
01/07/2016 20:43
BEAUT Y ▲
Lorraine’s favourites
SHE NEVER LEAVES HOME WITHOUT THESE MUST-HAVES
BOBBI BROWN SUNKISSED EYE PALETTE £36, SELFRIDGES
YSL TOUCHE ÉCLAT NO 1 £25, JOHN LEWIS
BENEFIT ROCKATEUR BLUSHER £23.50, BOOTS
MAC STUDIO FIX FLUID SPF15 FOUNDATION £22, HOUSE OF FRASER
Clean tool
WASH YOUR MAKEUP BRUSH WITH A GENTLE SHAMPOO IN LUKEWARM RUNNING WATER. LEAVE TO DRY ON KITCHEN PAPER.
BIG AND MULTIPLIED VOLUME MASCARA £8.50, AVON
www.athomemagazine.co.uk AUGUST 2016 | 167
166-167 Makeup.indd 167
01/07/2016 20:43
MAKE-UP BAG? …THE USUAL ESSENTIALS – MASCARA, LIPSTICK, EYELINER – BUT THERE’S ALSO SOME UNINVITED GUESTS – HARMFUL BACTERIA, AND OUT-OF-DATE COSMETICS ARE WHERE THEY LIKE TO HIDE
MASCARA
One in five British women* think mascara is the most important item in their make-up bag. They also often share it with friends on a night out and change it once in a blue moon or when it’s run out. However, even if it’s not looking clumpy, it should still be replaced every four to six months. And if it’s drying out, never add water to it. A mascara tube and applicator can be teeming with bacteria, which can lead to severe eye infections, such as conjunctivitis. Every time you pump mascara to get more product on the brush, it’s drying out inside, creating a dry, dark breeding ground for germs. Putting that mascara onto your wand and onto your eyelash, then back and forth again, passes germs from your eye to the tube, where they’ll continue to live and breed. To try to limit the amount of bacteria, swirl the brush inside instead of pumping it up and down.
LIPSTICK
It’s easy to keep your lipstick collection for years, and it’s not unusual to have several knocking around at the bottom of your makeup bag. However, they should really be thrown out after 18 months. To prolong their life, scrape off a thin layer to remove any residue or germs – use a cotton bud or slice the top off with a kitchen knife. ‘A great tip is to pop them in the freezer overnight to kill bacteria,’ recommends Ariane. However, if it looks a funny colour and has started to smell odd, throw it away.
EYELINER
Pencils are the easiest to clean. When sharpened, the top layer with any bacteria is instantly removed; you can also spray it with sanitising mist for an extra clean. As with mascara, bacteria flourishes in liquid eyeliner as the brush is constantly carrying germs from the eye and back into the bottle, so replace every three months. To avoid getting an eye infection, don’t use eyeliner on your waterline as this can block the oil glands that protect your cornea.
FOUNDATION
Even though this has a fairly long shelf-life of about 12 months, you should change it after six, because fingers, sponges and make-up brushes spread bacteria.
If your foundation becomes thick, lumpy or separated, it’s past its expiration date and should be thrown away. To extend its life, use a clean brush or sponge every time you apply it and store it in a cool place. And try to stick to just one foundation that serves all your needs.
POWDERS AND EYESHADOWS
Face powder lasts longer than most cosmetics and can be kept for up to two years. However, to minimise contamination, keep your brush clean and the lid firmly shut. Powder eyeshadows work in the same way, unless you wet them or the brush when applying – in which case, dispose after six months. As eyeshadows near their expiry date they don’t perform as well as when new – they get packed down, making it harder to pick up pigment with your brush. Take the weight out of your cosmetics bag by ditching the pots and choosing a palette. Opt for a colour theme and stick to it – browns with a slight shimmer tend to complement older women.
CONCEALER
Because concealer contains oils and hydrating agents, if it dries out or changes texture and becomes cakey, bin it. Ironically, it’ll just make those breakouts you’re trying to conceal even worse. Don’t keep it longer than 18 months.
WORDS: ABI HARMAN, IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES, FOR STOCKISTS: SEE PG 279, * WWW.MAKEUPBRUSHES.CO.UK
L
ike food and drink, make-up has an expiry date. Keeping products for longer than their shelf life can cause skin irritation and break-outs, but it can also do far worse, including acne, as well as urinary infections. ‘This is why it’s important to clean out your make-up bag regularly to avoid bacteria build up on products that could essentially be making you ill – and you don’t even know it!’ says celebrity make-up artist Ariane Poole.
166 | AUGUST 2016
166-167 Makeup.indd 166
01/07/2016 20:43
BEAUT Y ▲
Lorraine’s favourites
SHE NEVER LEAVES HOME WITHOUT THESE MUST-HAVES
BOBBI BROWN SUNKISSED EYE PALETTE £36, SELFRIDGES
YSL TOUCHE ÉCLAT NO 1 £25, JOHN LEWIS
BENEFIT ROCKATEUR BLUSHER £23.50, BOOTS
MAC STUDIO FIX FLUID SPF15 FOUNDATION £22, HOUSE OF FRASER
Clean tool
WASH YOUR MAKEUP BRUSH WITH A GENTLE SHAMPOO IN LUKEWARM RUNNING WATER. LEAVE TO DRY ON KITCHEN PAPER.
BIG AND MULTIPLIED VOLUME MASCARA £8.50, AVON
www.athomemagazine.co.uk AUGUST 2016 | 167
166-167 Makeup.indd 167
01/07/2016 20:43
