Its time to Spring Clean your Beauty Bag!

It's the 1st September and we are blessed to have the sun shining on us to celebrate the first day of SPRING. I love this season, apart from the hayfever onset, as it represents new life, new beginnings and it's the month of my birthday.

Sept 1 2014, Austinmer Beach, Wollongong. My lunchtime view.

What better time than now, is it to take advantage of spring cleaning and attack your beauty cabinet and make up bag. Avoid any nasties that could infect your skin or give you a reaction (rashes).

THE LIPSTICK FILES TOP 10 TIPS.

1. Check your foundation. If it looks off colour, smells funny and has separated ~ it's time to throw it away.

2. If you have had your mascara for more than 6 months or if its dry / clumpy ~ chuck it.

3. Lipsticks that have come to the very end (scoop last bits out with a lip brush) ~ say goodbye

4. Perfume that no longer smells like it should - eg. Chanel No.5 now smells more like Tabu, or the colour has changed - say ciao!

5. If your nail varnish has separated and no longer glides on or the brush is all fury ~ it's time to go.

6. Moisturisers that have been pushed all the way to the back of your cupboard may need to go. You will know if the smell has altered.

7. SPF sunscreen should be thrown out after the use by date as the formula may no longer give you the protection from UV rays.

8. Shampoos and conditioners that have been 1/2 used and pushed aside ~ chuck them to make room for other products.

9. Self tanning lotions will expire too. Do not use if it looks different and smells. You may run the risk of looking like a green Oompa Loompa.

10. And finally...... Essential Oils that have expired will no longer have therapeutic value. However, no need to discard. You can still enjoy the aroma from your oil burner.

Courtesy Google images. From this......

to this!

HOW TO PROLONG YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS.

1. Keep them in a cool spot. Avoid leaving make up in your handbag, especially foundation, as they can overheat during the warmer months.

2. Always fasten the lids so the product does not dry out. This applies to gel liners, mascara, lipsticks, foundations, concealers and nail varnish. Generally, all liquid type products.

3. Don't buy new stuff (I'm guilty of this too) until you have used up the products you already have. Save those pennies on other goodies ~ like champaign!

4. Keep Perfumes and Essential Oils away from direct sunlight or steaming bathrooms. Pop them into the cupboard.

5. Nail polish thinners can be purchased to add to the bottle, to allow it to glide on that little bit longer before it hardens for good.

My latest purchase of spring coloured Nail Varnish. (Vinylux by CND ~ love & Megan Taylor)

While you're at it, discard any medication in your cabinet that have expired.

I'm looking forward to wearing bright lippie colours and spritzing on some floral perfumes this Spring. The legs will become hairless and my body will be exfoliated from head to toe, giving my skin that much needed GLOW. Enjoy.

SK x