Beauty Refresh 101
As the New Year approaches, there’s no better time to refresh your makeup bag. Not only can this simple ritual help you stay on-trend, but it also ensures the products you’re using are safe and effective. Atlanta-based makeup artists and beauty experts Meredith Boyd and Alyson Hoag weigh in on why this practice matters and how to make the most of it.
Why Refresh Your Makeup Bag?
Health and Safety
“Old makeup can become a breeding ground for bacteria,” says Alyson Hoag, founder of Authentic Beauty Makeup Salon & Brow Studio. “Using expired products increases your risk of irritation, infections and breakouts.” Meredith Boyd, an award-winning makeup artist and licensed master cosmetologist, emphasizes the importance of checking expiration dates and throwing out products when they’ve expired or have an off smell or weird odor. Even your makeup bag itself isn’t immune. Boyd recommends cleaning it every two months by taking everything out and wiping it down with soap, water and antibacterial wipes to keep bacteria at bay.
Efficacy
If your makeup isn’t performing or looking like it used to, it might be time for a replacement. “Over time, the active ingredients in your products break down, leading to reduced performance, texture changes, and even color shifts,” says Hoag. Boyd adds that liquid formulas are especially vulnerable, as “they are made to use as soon as they are purchased and not sit for months or years at a time as the ingredients will separate.” Her tip for top-performing products? Opt for makeup lines manufactured locally or in the US, as they spend less time in transit and on shelves.
Trends and Seasonal Changes
“A refresh with three new products each season is key to staying on trend with current makeup looks,” says Boyd. “My favorite products I always reach for that I rotate are eyeliner (I love using dark greens, eggplant purple, or lighter brown shades), lip color (various formulas from matte to creamy) and foundation (always in pursuit of the best anti-aging light to medium coverage foundation that performs all day and night and looks beautiful on over-40 skin).”
“Updating your products is a fun and creative way to explore new textures, colors, and techniques,” Hoag adds. “It’s the perfect time to refine your beauty routine while taking a closer look at what’s actually in your collection.”
Makeup Replacement Guide
Here’s a general timeline for when to replace common makeup items, along with budget-friendly and investment recommendations from Boyd and Hoag:
Mascara
Replace: Every 3 months
Budget-Friendly Option: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
Investment Option: Tarte Tartlette Tubing Mascara
Blush
Replace: Every 1-2 years
Budget-Friendly Option: e.l.f. Powder Blush
Investment Option: Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush
Foundation and Concealer
Replace: Liquid: Every 1 year,
Powder: Every 2 years
Budget-Friendly Option: L’Oréal True Match Foundation
Investment Option: Dior Face & Body Liquid Foundation
Brushes
Replace: Every year, clean weekly
Budget-Friendly Option: Real Techniques Brush Set
Investment Option: MAC Professional Brush Set
Lipstick
Replace: Every 8-12 months
Budget-Friendly Option: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
Investment Option: Dior Rouge Lipstick
Eyeshadow
Replace: Every 1-2 years
Budget-Friendly Option: ColourPop Eyeshadow Palette
Investment Option: Urban Decay Naked Palette
Lip Gloss
Replace: Every 12-18 months
Budget-Friendly Option: NYX Butter Gloss
Investment Option: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb
Eyeliner
Replace: Liquid: Every 3-6 months,
Pencil: Every 2 years
Budget-Friendly Option: Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner, L’Oréal Brow Stylist Definer
Investment Option: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz
Extending the Life of Your Products
Refreshing your makeup bag doesn’t have to mean constant replacements. With proper care, you can keep your collection performing at its best while minimizing waste:
Store Properly: Boyd advises, “Keep makeup in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Heat and sunlight can break down ingredients, reducing their effectiveness.”
Avoid Contamination: Hoag recommends, “Keep your makeup bag cool and dry, wash your brushes and sponges regularly and avoid using fingers for application.”
Clean Your Tools: Boyd stresses, “Sponges should be cleaned weekly or after every use. As a pro artist, I use sponges only once and throw them away.”
Resources: Meredith Boyd Cosmetics: meredithboydcosmetics.com, Authentic Beauty: myimagejourney.com
