Spring Cleaning Your Makeup

Spring cleaning isn't just about tossing my "out-of-style" clothes or getting rid of old, expired food: I also clean out and reorganize my makeup. Proper storage and organization of makeup is important if you want to preserve the quality and shelf life of the product. Failure to do so causes makeup to degrade quicker, which can cost you money by having to constantly replace products. By cleaning up your makeup mess, you'll not only save space but be able to find what you need much faster when you're in a hurry.

Here are some pointers on how to save time and money by properly storing your makeup, as well as some inexpensive organization products:

Keep 'em Cool: Store makeup and fragrances away from humidity and heat, which both degrade products. Choose a designated area for all your makeup. The bathroom cabinet may be convenient, but a dresser drawer is better (it's cooler and no moist air from the shower).  Avoid bacteria growth by wiping down lipstick cases and compacts regularly with a wet wipe, and wash brushes in warm, soapy water.

Divide and Organize: Cosmetic train cases can be quite expensive. Organize your makeup by type and color in clear plastic trays. Some really great ones are this prism box and a 3 drawer container--both can be found at any craft store and they're very inexpensive. Keep in mind that these plastic trays should be shallow so that most if not all your makeup is completely visible. Place what you use every day at the front and the products you use for special occasions--like that sparkly blue eyeshadow, for example--towards the back.

Color Code: If your lipsticks aren't labeled by color, you can make your own by marking a sample on a small white sticker and put it on the top of the tube. If you have a lots of them, store them in a lipstick case.

Round Up the Brushes: I separate my makeup brushes from all the other products--it helps protect the bristles so they don't rub against each other and get messy. I'd recommend using a washable fabric brush roll. You can also use office items like a pen/pencil holder.

Say Goodbye: Toss out the products that may have "expired." It may help to mark each product with the date you opened them. Foundation should be thrown out after a year. Nail polish should be tossed after about two years when it starts to thicken. Mascara has the shortest shelf life and should be thrown out after 3 - 4 months. Don't pump the wand in and out--doing so exposes it to air causing it to dry out quicker. You can prolong the shelf life of lipstick if you keep it in the refrigerator (get that molding cheese out of the way). If there are any products you haven't used in over a year, get rid of them.

But wait, don't throw them in the trash bin just yet. There are cosmetic companies that have recycling programs where you can trade in your empty makeup containers for other products or discounts. MAC promotes recycling through their Back to MAC program. Turn in six packaging containers for a free lipstick of your choice. Send in various containers to tarte and receive a discount towards your next purchase.

What are some other ways you store and organize your makeup?