Decluttering skincare, makeup & hair products

I feel like I have been on this major declutter kick since March. I’m 100% not bothered by it either. It’s very refreshing getting rid of things and seeing your home turn more minimalist. My perspective on things have really changed when buying, too. I no longer buy it just because it was on sale and have honestly been purchasing a lot more things full price. What has helped me there is telling myself if this was full price you wouldn’t be buying it, so why are you buying it while it’s on sale. It has helped SO much. Don’t get me wrong, I still buy things on sale but only if I’ve been waiting for it to go on sale or can right off the back tell you 10 reasons why I must have it. I feel more confident in my control and will be giving the whole not spending any money for a whole month a go again (see I’m not spending money all of may!! if you’re curious about what I’m talking about).

During this whole process I’ve been avoiding one area the most….my makeup, my skin care, and my hair products. I am the ultimate product junkie and have so much that I forget what I have sometimes. Or I’ll get halfway through something and a new product comes out that catches my eye and the half-used one gets pushed back and just sits there. No matter what products I have, I always go back to what I use on the daily and it was time I got rid of everything that was there taking up space. This was by far the best clean out I’ve ever done in our home!!! I used to also keep products all over our home but have now dedicated all of my products and all of my makeup to one area of our home to make it easier to keep track of what I have.

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What I learned about product expiration dates ( trust me, you will want to read this).

I really wanted to educate myself for this post for you all because products play a big part in our everyday routines and I want you all to have a healthy routine. I was absolutely shocked by everything that I learned!!

• Most cosmetics won’t have an expiration date printed on them as the FDA only requires expiration dates on products considered drugs.
• Some products expire prior to expiration. If texture, color, smell change toss is asap!
• If it’s a natural product it will go 2x quicker than a product with preservatives.
• If water is the first ingredient, it automatically has a short lifespan. Water builds bacteria the quickest in products.
• The expiration date is usually meant for after the jar is open, but some products have the expiration date of exp: ’18 on the actual cardboard packaging and not the product itself.

**I want to put a disclaimer here before someone says “why didn’t you donate it or give it away”…I couldn’t donate these items because they were expired by a year (some 3) and it wouldn’t be sanitary because so many were used. I highly recommend thinking twice before selling an old product or giving it to someone.

What to look for when cleaning out your products:

– If it has dust on it.

-when was the last time you used it and will it be that long before you use it again?!

-If the product has gone through a package change within the last 6 months, it has got to go!

-If you forget you had it, toss it.

-If you didn’t like it, why are you holding on to it?

-If the product has separated.

-if the product is completely discolored.

-If you would never repurchase it

-IF IT HAS EXPIRED

Nail polish: will only last 1-2 years when opened, but if never opened it will last indefinitely. However, there are some ingredients that evaporate over time even in unopened polishes that cause it to separate and thicken.

Self tanner: 6 months!!!! A majority of self tanners are the foam kind so you are able to keep them longer, but after the 6 months the tanner will stop working. Self tanners only keep in cooler temperatures, so if you’re ac went out or you left your bag in the car on a hot day after buying a self tanner you have to toss it. The best way to see if a self tanner has expired is to pump it out and see if it’s green. That’s usually an indicator it’s past due. Lotion self tanner will start to smell after a while.

Moisturizer: moisturizers are meant to only last 6-12 months(check the back before assuming it’s 12 months). There is always a chance for a bacterial infection if it’s kept past the expired date. If water is the main ingredient expect it to last 3 months less than the given expired date.

Eye creams: Similar to moisturizers, eye creams are only meant to last 6-9 months. It’s super important to pay attention to when you open any eye products because we are putting them around our eyes.

Lipstick & lip gloss: these products are usually not marked but last 18-24 months.

Hairspray: usually does pretty good at lasting because it’s an aerosol. Unopened hairspray cans can last up to 3 years if untouched and opened hairsprays can last up 1 year.  This may be a total myth, but I was always told that to keep your hairsprays longer to put them upside down in a cool room. Not sure all the truth to that lol.

Shampoo & Conditioner: when opened, shampoo and conditioner can last anywhere between 12-24 months. However, shampoo does not have a shelf life and will separate over time.

Body wash: 12-24 months.

exfoliaters & sugar scrubs: there are chemical exfoliates and then there are more natural exfoliates. A lot contain sugar which is natural and will expire quicker. A normal life for these are 12 months.

Face masks: 6-12 months, but this depends on the ingredients. Check to see if it contains water.

Eyeshadow Palettes: This is the one that totally shocked me and totally ripped my heart out. Most shadow palettes last 24 months which usually gives plenty of time to use everything up. However, some shadow palettes only last 6 MONTHS!!! I took pride in my eye palettes because they were so expensive and I loved having so many. I threw out close to 20 eyeshadow palettes.

Bronzers/blushes/highlighters/powders: all of these last anywhere from 12-24 months but if you are sick or are breaking out more be sure to wipe down the surface before and after each use!

Mascara & eyeliner: This is a huge one that I think everyone needs to follow. Both only last 3 months! Since these products are used around the eyes on the daily it’s important to keep up on them and toss them when we’re sick.

Body Lotion: 12-24 months but trust your senses on if discoloration, smell, and texture have changed.

Sunscreen: only last 12 months and keeps best when stored in a cooler area. Sunscreen will expire faster when kept in the sun and is recommended to kept in a cooler if outside.

Foundation: only lasts 6-12 months. If it’s a tinted moisturizer it will go much quicker as moisturizers build bacteria quick.

Cleansing brushes: Here I’m talking about Clarisonic brush heads that are recommended to be switched out every 3 months. I know for some people that adds up over time, so if you want to make you brush head last put it in the dishwasher and give it a good cycle rinse!

loofah & bath sponges: They only last 3-7 weeks. Due to all the holes there are it’s easy for the bacteria to form.

Beauty sponges: All my Beauty Blender gals, they only last 3 months!!! We can deep clean them all we want and think they will last longer but we physically can’t rid of every trace of makeup left behind.

Hair brushes: I already know we are all guilty of keeping hair brushes way longer than we should. Daily used hair brushes are only meant to last 1 year.  They will last longer if washed and let to dry after every use.

 

Let me know if you’ve decluttered your makeup/skin care/hair products and tell me all the success you had with it!

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xx-Kendra