Over a recent lunch date with my work bestie, she voluntarily admitted she'd been using her 'trustiest' foundation brush for six years straight and, um, that it had never once been washed. Yes, I did gag on my sandwich. This blasé admission sparked my fight or flight response and, being the noble beauty journalist that I am, only one solution was going to be satisfactory-to write up a comprehensive guide on how and why you should clean your beauty stash, tools 'n' all. I mean, what better time to get stuck into it than now? 'Tis the season of new beginnings and spring cleaning, after all.
BIN AGEING BEAUTY BUYS
Just like food, our make-up, haircare, and skincare products are all perishable. However, cosmetic products in the UK and EU markets don't have official expiry dates.
Instead, there are guidelines to help you understand how long your beauty products are good to use for, sort of like a best before' date. To know when it is time to bin your ageing beauty buys, products display a Period After Opening' symbol on the back of their packaging.
Why is it so important to stick to the guidelines? Well, Dubai-based dermatologist Dr Radmila Lukian says that using old or expired make-up can have several negative side effects on your skin.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
How To Survive The Awkward In-Between Stage Of Growing Out Your Hair
Never again will the threat of a halfway length leave us feeling trapped in a style.
Do You Know Why Beauty Trends Swing In Extremes?
We speak with make-up artists and content creators to find out if it’s just the dopamine rush of trying out something new or the fear of missing out in this hyper-connected world.
What's The Next Big Thing In Beauty And Wellness?
Charting the trends that have the potential to blossom into their fullest in 2025.
On our tech radar
Let's take a look at the cool (latest) gadgets you should buy to be tech forward, shall we?
My seven minutes with Lily Collins
The Emily in Paris star on ie bold, her process, performing, and always being Team Emily.
Why are girls getting their period earlier?
Navigating puberty can be overwhelming (it's a LOT to handle!) especially when girls as young as seven are dealing with changes that could potentially have a big impact on their physical and psychological development.
All the deets on the coolest collaboration of 2024
Inside everything you need to know, and more!
Did someone say inner happy hour?
Relish your cocktails along with our curated list of feel-good reads.
My guilty pleasure
POV: Why watching cringe content on the Internet is my survival strategy.
Intermezzo, intervention
Spoiler alert: In her latest, Sally Rooney yet again plays the therapist we didn’t realise we needed.