How to Spring Clean your Makeup Bag (and What’s in Mine!)

*Happy Spring! And welcome to a very new and fresh Coming Up Roses. Please hang out awhile and check out what’s different, especially the SPONSOR tab for some exciting blog and brand-growing opportunities!

This spring has so many wonderful feelings of newness, from the cherry blossoms in bloom around campus, to the life updates that make everyday a little happier. One life update that I’m slowly (but surely) getting better at is maintaining my makeup bag. I’ve always loved experimenting with new products and looks to enhance my favorite features, but I’ve always been terrible at throwing things away once they’ve hit their beauty-expert-suggested expiration date.

Spring cleaning the makeup bag is something that, for me, should happen a heckuvah lot more. As in, it just has to happen period. I swear I have some OCD when it comes to finishing products – I HAVE to finish something before throwing it away, regardless of how I feel about it. Ask my mom – her advice (and the whole beauty world’s advice) about pitching the mascara after 3 months and other goo after 6 is finally starting to sink in.

Regardless, this spring, I’m feeling fresh, fun, and flirty with some new products, and I’m loving what I’ve found so far.

And girls, with spring cleaning – less really is more. If you can scrape your finger across your face and pick up skin-colored gunk, that’s gross and seasonally inappropriate (actually, just not cool in general – let your beautiful face breathe as is!).

Here is…

spring cleaning makeup

 

1. Mascara’s shelf life is 2-3 months. Constantly dipping a wand in and taking it out ends up gathering bacteria, and you end up swiping that bacteria right across your lovely lashes (Um, yuck).
2. Powder eye shadows? 1 year shelf life. That’s terrible news for me, since I’m pretty sure I just finished off a palette from 9th grade.
3. Liquid and pencil eyeliners have 1 year, too. Lucky number 1, anyone? Anything around the eye should just be as clean and bacteria-free as possible, though. Because who wants redness, itching, or – wait for it – conjunctivitis? (Hint: no one).
4. Lip goos – your sticks, glosses, stains and balms – can go for a year, since they’re usually not water-based. But definitely pitch ‘em sooner if you’ve been sick, since they ARE constantly on your mouth.
5. Foundation can go anywhere from 12-18 months. Their water-based consistencies breed bacteria.
6. Same goes for liquid concealers – 18 months max. Powders and sticks can go for 2 years, though. Play it safe with concealers; the point is to cover up blemishes, not cause them!
7. Powder blush can go for 2 years, too.

 

With any bacteria-breeding goops, store them in dryer, lower-temp spots (since bacteria hang out in moist, warm areas).

When all else fails, use this handy dandy graphic for quick date reminders:

 

shelf life

 

You’ve got down how to spring clean your makeup bag…now see what’s in mine! (Disclaimer: I love playing up my big, dark eyes!)

 

Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker

Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker

Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker:

It’s moisturizing with nothing but shine and flavor. Take note to not lick it right off ‘dem smackers of yours.

Get it here: Bonne Bell Lip Smacker Lip Gloss, Dr Pepper, 640, 2 Ea

 

Mary Kay at Play Lip Jelly in Berry Me

Mary Kay at Play Lip Jelly in Berry Me

Mary Kay at Play Lip Jelly in Berry Me:

This gloss is the perfect color – a brighter but still natural looking berry – and isn’t gloopy or sticky to wear. Again, a springtime must. (And it’s also mentioned on the blog here!)

Get it here (in Crushed Plum): Mary Kay At PlayTM Jelly Lip Gloss (Crushed Plum (Shine))

 

KIKO Eyeshadow in 151

KIKO Eyeshadow in 151

Kiko Makeup Milano in 151:

If this lavender palette was any sparkly, I’d pass out from excitement. The perfect fun pastel! Discovered this gem last summer on my Spanish escapade…and I’m pretty sure it’s a Euro-exclusive when shopping in-store.

Get it here (in 36 colors): kikocosmetics.co.uk

 

Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer

Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer

Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer:

I’ve mentioned this stuff before, and for good reason. I’m currently obsessed with this moisturizer, and there was a time when I refused to wear any moisturizer at all (shame on me, I know)! It clears your complexion and moisturizes with SPF. It’s basically a miracle worker.

Get it here: Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer, 4 Ounce

 

Revlon

Revlon Grow Luscious Lashliner in 004 Emerald

Revlon Grow Luscious Lashliner in 004 Emerald:

I’m loving loving loving this liner. It glides on so smoothly, and the emerald is such a pretty pop of color, perfect when paired with a neutral outfit for added punch.

Get it here (in Onyx): Revlon Grow Luscious Lash Liner, Onyx, 0.04 Ounce

 

Hard Candy Shadowholic in Camel Back

Hard Candy Shadowholic 12 Hour Waterproof Eye Crayon in Camel Back

Hard Candy Shadowholic 12 Hour Waterproof Eye Crayon in Camel Back:

Waterproof means less likely to crease – a major necessity for me in warmer months.

Get it here: Hard Candy Eyes — Shadowholic Collection — 561 CAMEL BACK

 

Hot Topic Eyeliner/Lipliner

Hot Topic Eyeliner/Lipliner in Hot Pink

Hot Topic Eyeliner/Lipliner in Hot Pink:

One day in high school I was doing the oh-so-casual mall stroll with some friends and stumbled upon this gem. Hot Topic has a completely crazy and out-there cosmetics selection. But I was feeling gutsy with my eyes, so I picked up a few $1.99 liners in the brightest colors – a bright teal, sparkly blue, and this hot pink. They glide on so nicely and are the greatest color pop, and I always get complimented when I accent my peepers this way.

I would say “Get it Here,” but it’s not on the web! Check out your local HT’s makeup selection and cross your fingers.

 

Clinique Chubby Stick in Broadest Berry

Clinique Chubby Stick in 07 Broadest Berry

Clinique Chubby Stick in 07 Broadest Berry:

Chubby sticks are my new kryptonite. Are they a lipstick? Are they a chapstick? It’s like the best of every world.

Get it here: Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm 07 Broadest Berry 0.1 oz

 

Revlon

Revlon A Floral Affair Sheer Powder Blush in 470 Peachy Keen

Revlon A Floral Affair Sheer Powder Blush in 470 Peachy Keen:

Peachy Keen and looking fine. I wanted to try a more coral-y blush to mix things up (trying new things, remember?), and this fit the bill. Love the color, love the shimmer.

Get it here (in Honey Bunch): Revlon A Floral Affair Sheer Powder Blush, Honey Bunch, 0.28 Ounce

 

AVON Glimmerstick in Blue Flare

AVON Glimmerstick in Blue Flare

AVON Glimmerstick eyeliner in Blue Flare:

My mom picked us up some Avon goodies, and apparently I don’t have enough colored eyeliners. Obviously, she knows what I like. Such a nice, pointed glide-on in a brilliant cobalt blue – I’m a fan.

Get it here: Avon Glimmersticks Blue Flare

 

This Hump Day I’m comin’ atcha with a new Ann Taylor tee (see-through mesh stripes – how’s that for fun?), fresh mani in Essie’s Lilacism, and that new Clinique chubby stick in Broadest Berry.

AND, if you haven’t noticed by now, Coming Up Roses is looking new, too! If you’re looking to grow your own brand, shop, or blog, be sure to check out the SPONSOR tab for all sorts of options, because I’d love to help you out.

Now, I’ve got a couple questions for you…

 

What do you think of the new design??? 

What are your best I’m-spring-cleaning-my-makeup-bag-and-need-help tips? And your fave products right now?

 

And, last but not least, will you complete this demographic survey? 

 

lovelovelove,

E

blog star real