While we are still fairly new into 2021 and resolutions are still rife, detox plans are in full force, how about extending the detox programme to our makeup? Delna Mistry Anand meets Pro makeup artist and beauty advisor Eirini Hannah for tips on decluttering your makeup.
Bring it all out
Firstly we need to take stock of everything we possess, so get all your makeup items out and lay everything on a clean surface. The idea is to know (and remember) at a glance, everything you own, so make sure you remember to include any makeup that has been left in your travel bag, evening purse, drawers, handbag etc. This way you will know what you are dealing with!
Categorize
Next, categorise all these products. This means you could place all your foundations on one side of the surface, all your lipsticks together, all eyeliners together and so on. Take it one notch higher and group similar shades together too. Eyeshadows can be categorised by their texture and colour.
Check Shelf Life
Now start going through each product and check their expiry dates. Individual makeup products have their own expiry date so check the expiry date symbol at the back or bottom of the package.
The general rule is that liquids such as foundations and concealers tend to last for about 12 months, powders and creamy textured products about 18-24 months, pencils for about 12-18 months and finally mascaras tend to have the shortest shelf life of about 3-6 months.
Pick your essentials
Have a good think of what makeup you use the most, what are those items you cannot live without and what colours you feel most comfortable with. You might come across shades that you have been saving for a special occasion like Halloween. It is fine to hold on to such specialist items such as glitter, but always bear in mind their expiry dates.
The golden rule here is, anything that has not been used for at least 6 months, most likely it will never be used so you can kiss it goodbye.
Clean them up
Now give your makeup products a good clean and store them away in a way that they can be easily seen and identified. Bear in mind that makeup that is hidden at the back of a drawer or at the bottom of your makeup bag, are most likely to be forgotten! Use clear containers and makeup bags where possible and organise your products in a neat and tidy way.
Finally, think of your friends or charities before you throw away any unused makeup! There might be a lipstick that you have decided you will never ever wear because the shade is wrong for you, but it could be a gem for someone else!
PRO TIP: If you have set out to declutter your make up and choose not to keep a few items, don’t throw them off right away, think whom you can pass them on to or swap with. If they aren’t in a state to be used by another or if they are past expiry, then off they go to the bin.
Eirini Hannah is a makeup artist and beauty advisor who specialises in fashion and media productions. Originally from Athens, she has spent more than 15 years later in the business of beauty and make up in Dubai with much love and never-ending passion.
Her commercial work is about e-com, editorials, fashion campaigns, tv commercials, promotional events and theatre projects. Some of her clients include Piaget, Burberry, Nike, The Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi, Dubai Madinat theatre, Yas Island Theatre events, Fashion Forward Middle East and Athens Fashion Week.
She is available for online consultations and lessons. Instagram @Eirini.Hannah_makeup
Contact Delna Mistry Anand on @delnaanand.