Before the Makeup: 4 Simple Tips for a Better Makeup Routine
Your makeup has an expiration date
Most people don’t realize that makeup products have an expiration date – but not the kind we’re used to seeing on food items. Most makeup products have a tiny “6m” or “12m”, or sometimes an “18m”, on the bottom of the packaging. This means the item expires 6 months, or 12 months, or 18 months from the date it is first opened.
Liquid products expire the fastest, especially mascara and liquid eyeliners. You definitely don’t want to mess around with expired products around your eyes! Liquid foundations, concealers, lipsticks and lip glosses are next on the timeline, typically anywhere between 6 to 18 months. Powder products have the longest shelf life. Bought a couple extra of your favorite concealer during the last Sephora sale? Unopened products can generally last significantly longer than opened ones when stored properly, but they don't last forever. When in doubt, check the manufacturer's recommendations—and if the smell, texture or performance has changed, it's probably time to let it go.
Clean your makeup brushes
Has your favorite foundation started separating when you apply it? Or maybe it’s not sitting as nicely on your skin as it normally does? Have you been experiencing more breakouts? It could be your dirty makeup brushes. Ideally, makeup brushes – especially the ones you use with your liquid or cream products – should be washed once a week. Powder brushes can go a bit longer in-between washes if need be, but might as well do them all at the same time, right?
To wash your brushes, you can purchase an actual brush soap, like the Beauty Blender Blendercleanser Sponge and Brush Cleaner (my personal favorite). Or, a little secret most people don’t know: you can actually use your face wash to clean your brushes, or any gentle shampoo you might already own. If you have acne-prone skin, washing your brushes regularly is especially important to help keep product buildup and bacteria at bay.
And don’t forget about your makeup sponges! Obviously sponges hold moisture, and bacteria can grown quickly, so if a beauty sponge is one of your regular makeup tools, you should ideally clean it after every use.
Skin prep is key
This really could not be more true. The way you prep your skin and the products you use have such a big impact on how makeup sits and behaves throughout the day. Determining the right skin prep routine for yourself starts with understanding your skin type. Is it dry, oily or sensitive? Do you have a lot of redness? Or maybe you have more mature skin, and now you’re dealing with a few wrinkles or changes in skin texture?
For a lot of people, their morning skincare routine is their makeup skin prep – or at least leads right into it. Skincare routines and product recommendations are a conversation of their own, but the main key is making sure you skin is properly hydrated before starting your makeup. This could be a cream moisturizer, like the Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream (one of my all time favorites and great for sensitive skin), or a milky toner, like the BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner. Either way, after applying some hydration to the skin, make sure you give it time to absorb before starting your base. Otherwise, you risk products starting to pill.
I love skincare almost as much as I love makeup, so if you’re unsure where to start in your skin prep journey, I'd love to help. If you’re interested in a fully customized makeup and skin care service, check out the Signature Edit. Or, if you’d just like some product recommendations and shopping guidance, learn more about my product shopping service HERE.
Wet your sponge
Sometimes makeup artist take certain things for granted, and I realized this recently when doing a group makeup lesson for a law firm client: you need to wet your makeup sponge before using it! Hold it under running water and soak it thoroughly, and then really squeeze out all the excess water. The sponge should not be dripping, but it should be damp. It will also expand when it is wet, and then shrink back down as it dries.
I love using makeup sponges on myself and with clients. My favorite is the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. They are much more affordable than the famous Beautyblender, and they have a flat side that is really nice for patting out foundation or cream products. If you do use a sponge, you should change it out for a new one every 2 to 3 months (depending on how often you use it and how well you clean it). And make sure you let it dry out in the open, on your counter or somewhere it can get air. Never close a damp makeup sponge up in your makeup bag.
