How to spring clean your makeup station

Spring cleaning always makes you feel accomplished. So we think your makeup station and cosmetics should be next on your spring cleaning hit list for this spring 2018. Why? Well, fingers crossed, you’re already in the spring cleaning mindset but also, after a few months of hibernating and the impending makeup mayhem of party season – it’s the perfect time to clean everything out.
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If you’re unsure where to start your makeup station spring clean, we’ve got the ultimate checklist below…
#1 Get on top of used & out-of-date cosmetics
Hanging on to the last dried up dregs of your favourite foundation? It’s time to part ways. Just make sure to take a photo of your shade before you chuck it out!
As a beauty addict, I know just how hard it can be to keep track of all your products. (If only they all had the exact same shelf life!) So go through and check the period-after-opening symbol (that little open jar symbol on the back of each of your products) to see if you have been using it for over the number of months outlined. If you’ve gone over it – get rid of it. Always check the back of your product information, but generally, you can expect the following shelf lives for your makeup staples:
- Mascara - two to three months
- Foundation & concealer - two years for powders and six months for liquid
- Lipstick - two years
- Lipgloss - one year
- Eye pencil - approximately one year
- Nail polish - one to two years
And getting rid of these products doesn’t necessarily mean throwing them in the bin. Some brands have programs where you give back empty bottles or pots (like M.A.C's Back-to-M.A.C or LUSH's 5 Pot Program) or you can try going to a recycling program like TerraCycle.
#2 Clean your brushes
Your brushes can become a breeding ground for bacteria if you don't keep them clean. Make sure you store them all upright. Not only will it keep them cleaner for longer but if you repurpose old candles or jam jars, they can make your makeup station look really cute. But you should also give 'em a good old scrub regularly. We're guessing they're overdue for a clean...
beautyheaven loves EcoTools Makeup Brush Shampoo and M.A.C Brush Cleanser.
#3 Get reorganised
We’re betting your makeup station got a bit (read: a lot) messy because it wasn’t organised particularly well to start with. And no judgement here, we’re also very guilty of that. But we’re hoping to pounce on our spring cleaning spirit to really organise it this time. And fingers crossed it will keep things tidier for longer. Try:
- Popping cutlery trays into your drawers to separate products
- Organising your cosmetics by what you use the most
- Separating your brushes and beauty blenders into two jars – one for clean ones and one for dirty ones.
#4 Restock the essentials
Tweezers and nail scissors are never around when you’re hunting for them, right? Well, this spring cleaning session is the perfect opportunity to fix that inevitable future-you problem.
Stock up on all of the less sexy beauty essentials that may slip your mind sometimes. Aside from nail scissors and tweezers (obvy) try restocking the following:
- Wipes (try Palmer's Moisturising Facial Cleansing Wipes or BIODERMA Sensibio H20 Wipes)
- Cotton pads (try Swisspers Cotton Makeup Pads or Rodan + Fields ESSENTIALS Gauze Pads)
- Cotton tips (try Swisspers Cotton Cosmetic Tips)
- Nail polish remover wipes (try Revitanail Conditioning Remover Wipes or Colour by TBN Nail Polish Remover Wipes)
beautyheaven loves Garbo & Kelly Tweezers and Manicare Nail Scissors - Curved.
#5 Make it a sanctuary
We reckon a pretty makeup station is more likely to stay pretty (and tidy) for longer. Plus, if you’re applying your makeup in this place every day, why not make it a nice environment?!
- A mirror is essential! Try the Manicare Makeup shaving mirror. It can be stood up or hanging so it’s multipurpose, pretty and super functional.
- Make it pretty and smell good! Try the ECOYA Coconut & Elderflower Diffuser. It's less fuss than lighting and blowing out a candle but will still make you makeup station smell (and look) delightful!
Who feels more in control already?!
Are you a fan of spring cleaning? How do you spring clean your makeup station and cosmetics?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
49 Member Comments
I lvoe clearing out and organising my make up and skincare station. Every once is a while you gotta do it.
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Daiso brush cleansers, only $2.80, or else I just use soap...
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I had so much stuff that was way past it’s use by date, so I did a huge de clutter and cull a few weeks back. Which meant that I needed to visit Mecca to replace old stuff. A visit to Mecca is always fun!
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Thanks for sharing useful makeup tips.
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I did a massive clearout the other day - I couldn't believe how many old, dated products I had been hoarding!! My cupboards are much neater now. This article is also a good reminder that my brushes are due for a clean.
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This is a good reminder to declutter my makeup. Might have to get some new stuff. Have not bought makeup in a long time.
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I'm seriously the worst when it comes to throwing out expired products. It doesn't expire until it's finished in my head haha.
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Some great tips for organising/cleaning my make up station here!
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I'm horrible with "expiration dates" when it comes to makeup. I throw out what isn't usable anymore, and I make sure I am very hygienic about my products... but no, I'm never going to throw out product that is still usable, clean and works well. I don't care what experts tell me, LOL! If I had to throw out all lipsticks after 2 years, I would never buy lipstick again. I rarely wear it, so I couldn't get through ONE colour in 2 years, let alone more than one... but I like having options. Maybe I'll pay the price for it someday... but until then I am stubborn, LOL!
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I hate throwing things away!
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I really need to get around to using all the product samples I’ve accumulated.
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I need to clean out and organsie my makeup. I really need to get some nice storage to display it and keep it neat.
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I really need to go through my makeup, but I never want to throw anything out!
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That is literally me! I don't want to waste a thing!
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Useful article! I love spring cleaning . . So therapeutic
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My makeup/skincare area is my sanctuary so it's gotta look and smell good at all times!
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I love having a good re-organising through my beauty products
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It's the best feeling! But sometimes I get really lazy!
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I wash my brushes weekly and I chucked out two old creams this morning. I wish I had a dedicated space to be my make up sanctuary.
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I have just done this and put away everything that isn't 'essential'. So much more organised now.
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I just spring cleaned my beauty area, it looks so much nicer!
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It's so cool that you have a beauty area! I just have some draws and organisers!
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Great article with good tips , i feel motivated to clean up my make up space !
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