If you don’t know yet that makeup is perishable, then there’s a good chance that some of the products lurking in the bottom of your dresser may be a little past it’s prime.

Each type of makeup has a general shelf life, however, there is an easy way to tell.

If your makeup has changed texture, or separated, especially liquid items like foundation, then it’s safe to say that it needs to be binned. Powder formulations may begin to cake.

Another giveaway that your makeup is when it starts to smell different.

Of course, using makeup that’s beyond its use by date will not only give you poor results, but can also lead to skin irritations and even infections – definitely not the way to get a great look!

When it comes to makeup, I’ve always been a quantity more than a quality girl. The reason? I love to play with colors and looks, and buying a whole lot of expensive makeup does not lend itself to having a large makeup kit. At least not for most people.

However, I’ve recently discovered why quality makeup is expensive. It’s the finish. Those designer products have been very carefully formulated to go on smooth, and look great for hours.

Less expensive products also have ingredients added to extend them. These ingredients, like talc, can lead to makeup caking, and creasing as the day or night goes on. More expensive products do not have these ingredients in them, so they look great for a lot longer.

Therefore, while I will hang on to my cheap and cheerful products, I will also be investing in some quality items, for when I really need to look great.

We all know that cosmetics are not cheap. Not the good ones anyway! If you’re going to invest in quality cosmetics, its worth knowing how to make them keep longer, isn’t it? So here are my top tips for keeping makeup fresh longer.

You see, the thing is, as bacteria builds up in your makeup, it starts going bad, and you could end up with nasty infections.

Lipsticks, for example, will last longer than their two year average life span if you store them in the fridge. All makeup should be kept out of the sun, and definitely not stored in the sun.

Powders and eye shadows can benefit from being stored in a box with a few of those silica sachets that you get with new shoes – the silica absorbs the moisture, helping to prolong the life of your powders.

To get great foundation, you first need to know what all those terms mean! Matte is simple – it’s the smooth, almost airbrushed look. Dewy has a little more sheen, but isn’t shiny. Full coverage foundations do just that. Cover everything. Barely there, on the other hand, is designed to look as though you aren’t wearing any foundation.
Whichever foundation you choose, try applying it with your fingers, instead of a sponge – it gives you more control. Alternatively, if you want total coverage, use a flat foundation brush to apply it in all the little crevices.

Loose powder applied over foundation gives a super matte finish with no shine. It also helps to set your foundation, so that it will last through the day! Remember, like the name says, foundation is the basis for all of your makeup.

If you’re not really all that into makeup, you may have missed the arrival of mineral foundation – the next big thing according to those in the know.

Maybe you’re a person who never seems to get a smooth, flawless finish from your foundation. If that’s the case, then mineral foundation may be for you – it worked for Cameron Diaz after all.

The main difference between mineral foundations and other types of cover is that the particles of mineral foundation are super fine, which means they can cover blemishes others simply cling to, giving you that caked on, and undesirable finish! In fact, if you do use mineral foundation, you may be able to forget about concealer – a great time saver too.

Another benefit, although I wouldn’t recommend it regularly, is that you can sleep with mineral foundation on, without clogging your pores. So if you do have the occasional late night, and can’t face cleansing, you won’t be doing any damage.

 

Ever noticed how supermodels seem to have cheekbones you could slice cheese with, while the rest of us, well, don’t?

The good news is that if your face is less sculpted than you’d like, you can use cosmetics to correct the problem. With a few products that you already have, you can highlight your cheeks,

Start with your favorite foundation, applied evenly over your face, and well blended. Then, add concealer, starting under your eyes, and blend toward your cheekbones. Use a shimmer highlighter, swept over your cheekbone, and then follow with a pale, peachy blusher, and finally, a light, matte bronzer. 

The matte of your skin will offset the shimmer of your cheeks, and make them more prominent – in a good way. Instant supermodel cheekbones  with no surgery. 

If you’re a lady of color, chances are, finding the right shade foundation for your skin is tricky.

What makes it more tricky is that darker skins aren’t all one color. In fact, your forehead and the bridge of your nose is likely to be a shade or two darker than the rest of your face!

When you buy foundation therefore, it’s important to test each one on these different areas of your face, and if you notice that there are two shades that are different, that match the various areas of your face, buy more than one color.

Then, apply the right shade for the different areas of your face, blending carefully, and set with a light dusting of translucent powder, also in a shade that matches your skin tone.

Remember, just like lighter skins, the first step in getting great foundation, is to find the right color, or colors.