Similar to getting haircuts and dusting behind the shelves, cleaning up our beauty routine is something we should probably stand to do more often. We all get a little lazy sometimes and stop paying attention to what our skin needs, or we stick to the same beauty routine for years, never thinking that we might need to adjust something. It’s time to change that, so here are a few easy tops to help you develop healthier, skin-preserving habits.
Wash your makeup tools
How often do you wash your brushes? For some of you, it’s probably been months and while there’s no judgement here, you should be aware of the amount of bacteria that gathers around the brushes. All the oil from your face, and the dirt and makeup residue that piles up on the bristles can lead to serious breakouts.
Depending on the type of brush, and how often you use it, you can determine how often you need to wash it. Eyeshadow and blush brushes should be washed every two weeks, or once a month if you want to stretch it, but your foundation brush needs to be washed every few days. The same goes for your beauty blender, which is even more prone to soaking up bacteria, so it wouldn’t hurt even if you washed it every day. Use mild shampoo or an unscented soap and wash all your tools in lukewarm water. It doesn’t take much time, and you’ll really start to notice the difference on your skin.
Take stock and check for expiration dates
Take a good, long look at that bottomless bag that opens into non-dimensional space and holds various, untold horrors. We’re talking about your makeup bag, of course, what else? A lot of women keep them stuffed with a ton of products, while only using maybe five to ten things on a regular basis.
Old, funny smelling lipsticks, dried up mascaras, tubes of concealer that started congealing weeks ago – all of these are things you’ll never use and are only taking up space. What’s even worse, a lot of these things have expired and are by now actually toxic for your skin. This doesn’t apply to the makeup bag only, but your medicine cabinet and all the products on your bathroom shelf as well. Take time to examine them closely and throw away all the things that are their due date, smell funny, or things that you just don’t need anymore.
Pay attention to ingredients
Instead of just grabbing the first thing that has a colourful bottle and smells nice, make sure to actually read the list of ingredients. A lot of companies will use chemicals that are ineffective at best, and a little harmful at worst. The famous example of this are antibacterial soaps and gels, which usually contain triclosan and triclocarban – chemicals that the FDA has deemed to be potentially risky if you are exposed to them over a longer period of time. No evidence has been found that these antibacterial products do a better job than regular soap and warm water.
Using organic products can be a good idea, especially if you have a sensitive skin, but they still contain various chemicals, so don’t be fooled by the marketing. Avoid shampoos which contain sulphate, and always use paraben-free makeup, that, preferably, hasn’t been tested on animals. You can always ask a salesperson to help you find the right kind of product.
The no-makeup makeup look
This may sound completely silly, but this look actually does require you to use some makeup. However, its biggest benefit is that you will look natural and fresh when you apply it. Your face will have a clean glow to it which makes this a perfect everyday look because it’s very light. Go to a well-stocked makeup store and find a good BB cream first. No need for heavy foundation, but you should use concealer to cover up any blemishes or dark circles. Use and eyebrow pencil to lightly fill in your brows, and then pick a soft, neutral eyeshadow – just enough to bring out your eyes.
Finish off with a coat of mascara, either black or dark brown, and then touch up your cheeks with some blush. When it comes to lipstick you can pick a nude colour, or skip that step entirely and simply use your favourite lip balm. This look is very trendy because it brings out your natural beauty, and it doesn’t take much time, so you’ll have more to sleep in the morning.
Cleaning up your beauty routine is about paying attention to hygiene and keeping things light. You don’t want any pore-clogging products, nothing that will irritate or dry out your skin and hair. Pay attention to products you are using and remember that your skin is your pride and joy – keep it clear and care for it if you want to remain healthy and glowing.
Guest Post by Elise Morgan 🙂
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