When you’ve accumulated boatloads of cosmetics over the years, you begin to feel like a makeup hoarder. But some cosmetics are not meant to be kept that long, even if you haven’t finished using them yet. In fact, it can be downright dangerous to use cosmetics that you’ve had stashed in your bag for years. So in the spirit of spring cleaning, here’s our go-to guide for what to keep, and what to ditch.
KEEP: Brushes and tools, like the e.l.f. Mineral All Over Eyeshadow Brush. They can get dirty and gross, but that’s not something you can’t fix. Instead of tossing them, clean them. Brushes tend to be costly, as do quality tweezers and eyelash curlers. Disinfect tools, particularly those that will come into contact with your eyes, with an antibacterial soap. For brushes, wash them every couple weeks with a clarifying shampoo.
TOSS: Half-used nail polishes. You know the ones- you liked the color once upon a time, but now the bottle just stands there collecting dust in the cabinet. If you can shake it up and see some movement, then you’ll know it’s still usable. But if what’s inside is as hard as a rock, toss it in the trash. For this season’s hottest nail color, try e.l.f. Nail Polish in fun lavender purples!
KEEP: Have a favorite lipstick that only comes out for fancy occasions? Finding your trademark color is hard, so make sure to hold onto those babies! You can keep lipstick for quite some time, even a couple years. Just make sure to keep it clean and protected from the open air, so the pigments don’t dry out. For a rich, high-quality lipstick, try e.l.f. Mineral Lipstick in a rich pink or coral shade for the Spring.
TOSS: Any tubes of mascara over a couple months old NEED to be thrown away. Playing with your eyes is no joke; all the bacteria that collects on a mascara wand can give you painful eye infections. Be absolutely sure to throw away mascara that you’ve had stashed for two months or more. Luckily, expensive mascara isn’t much better than the on cheaper stuff. That’s why spending a few bucks on a tube of e.l.f. Mineral Infused Mascara isn’t a big deal. You only have one set of eyes, treat them well!
