How to Detox Your Makeup Bag

Everyone has a makeup bag. Whether we want to show what it looks like is a different story. Throughout the month, my makeup bag goes from perfectly organized, to starting to look dirty, and being plain disgusting by the end of the month. Since we’re all working to become better versions of ourselves, we’re pledging to detox our makeup bags.

Why? Here are some scary numbers to make you toss your makeup bag immediately:

• There can be millions of microorganisms living in your makeup bag.
• About six different types of bacteria can be found in your beauty products.
• Roughly, 22% of women never clean their makeup bags.

With so many microorganisms calling your makeup bag home, I say it’s time to detox your bag. Follow this GR8 guide to keep your cosmetics bag squeaky clean and bacteria-free.

Step 1: Check Expiration Dates

It’s estimated that 98% of women have used expired makeup. While most women don’t pay attention to this, checking expiration dates on your makeup products is the first step to detox your bag. Here’s a quick guide for reference:

Replace every 2-3 months:

Mascara

Nail file

Replace every 6 months to 1 year:

Liquid eyeliner

Liquid foundation

Concealer

Replace every 1 to 1.5 years:

Lip gloss

Cream eye-shadow

Eyebrow gel

Replace every 2 years:

Lip and eye pencils

Lipstick

Nail polish

Powder eye-shadows and blush

Powder foundation

However, you should clean your makeup products using alcohol or alcohol wipes at least once a week to prevent bacteria buildup.

Step 2: Check for Harmful Ingredients

Moving on, it’s time to test your knowledge of harmful makeup ingredients. Unfortunately, there are makeup ingredients we must avoid. Many of these hard-to-pronounce ingredients listed in your makeup can seriously affect your health. Some effects include:

• Hormonal imbalances
• Allergies
• Higher risk of cancer
• Skin irritation
• Organ toxicity

Step 3: Declutter Your Makeup Bag

If you’re anything like me, you have multiple makeup bags. You know, one for travels, another one for the office, the one for date-nights, and the other one that keeps everything organized in my makeup vanity.

However, you don’t need to carry your 10 eye-shadow palettes, the 13 lipstick shades, and the 5 different types of foundations you have. To declutter your makeup bag, make sure only to bring the essentials:

• Tinted moisturizer or foundation
• Concealer
• Blush
• Mascara
• Lipstick
• Highlighter

To make sure you have everything you need, aim for cream or liquid products that can multi-task. For example, use your lipstick as a blush and eye-shadow. Or, gently use your mascara as a brow brush. Remember, you can do so much more with less.

Step 4: Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Are you 100% sure you’re cleaning your makeup brushes the right way? If you’re doubtful, here’s a GR8 Quiz to help you figure it out. When you don’t clean your makeup brushes after every use, you have a higher risk of clogging your pores, catching an infection, or irritating your skin. Not to mention, your makeup application won’t be the GR8EST.

Make it a habit to clean your makeup brushes after every application, especially the ones that are in close contact with your eyes. If cleaning them after every use is too much, make it your goal to do this once a week.

Step 5: Wash Your Makeup Bag

Lastly, keeping your makeup brushes is just the beginning – your makeup bag is next. Wash your makeup bag at least once a month to keep it regularly sanitized, as well. Use alcohol wipes to clean the inside of your makeup bag. Additionally, you can spritz the inner of the bag with alcohol to make sure you kill all the germs inside.

Follow these steps to make sure your makeup bag is as flawless and clean as your products and your skin. As you cherish your skincare routine, make sure you adopt a detoxing makeup bag routine that you follow at least once a month to keep everything clean and safe.