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Too many beauty products you haven’t used in ages? It’s time for spring cleaning

After all that mask-wearing and staying at home last year, your vanity kit might be full of products you haven’t used – or have expired. It's time to decide what you don’t need – and what you should have.

With 2021 underway (and Chinese New Year coming up), it’s probably time to start some spring cleaning. And that also extends to beauty routines, which have been directly impacted by all that mandatory mask-wearing and also spending much more time at home instead of out.

Now’s a good time to go through your vanity and makeup kit, rid them of items that have been collecting dust all through 2020 and then fill them with a few thoughtful purchases that would prove useful in 2021. CNA Lifestyle tells you where to begin.

READ: How to deal with ‘maskne’ or worse with DIY skincare kits you can use at home

CHUCK OUT EXPIRED PRODUCTS

(Photo: Unsplash/Anastasiia Ostapov)

It’s not that hard to figure out when your skincare products will expire. If there isn’t an expiry date printed on the box, just look out for that tiny “open-jar” symbol typically found behind or underneath the product. The number on the symbol indicates the number of months it will remain good for use, starting from the point you break open the product.

Many cosmetics, however, do not come with said indication – so how would you know if they have expired or not? First of all, if the texture, colour and smell of the item has noticeably changed, bin it straightaway because all these are sure signs that it has gone past its shelf life.

Cream- and liquid-based products tend to be the first to expire, since moisture promotes bacterial growth.

For the other products that do not exhibit these signs, here’s how you can gauge if it’s about time to throw them out.

Cream- and liquid-based products tend to be the first to expire, since moisture promotes bacterial growth – this means that foundations, lip glosses, lipsticks, blushes and highlighters in cream or liquid formulations are likely to have “gone off” in six months to a year. Powders, being dry, will last from two to three years.

Err on the side of caution, particularly for products that you’ll apply very close to the eyes. Mascaras should be thrown out three months after you open them, while cream or liquid liners will be good for use for six months, up to a year.

Any product that has an applicator that dips into the container when closed will have a higher chance of bacterial contamination. The same is also true of cosmetics that you dip into with your fingers. Check these items carefully for signs of expiration.

REPURPOSE ITEMS BEFORE THEY EXPIRE

(Photo: Unsplash/Liz Breygel)

If you know that a product is about to expire, but don’t think you can finish it up before it does, you can use it for other purposes. For example, it is safe to use your facial moisturiser as a hand cream or body moisturiser – but don’t do the reverse, because body lotions may do damage to the skin on the face, which is thinner and more sensitive than the skin on your body.

Haven’t touched your collection of lipsticks since masks were made mandatory? Use them as cream blusher – it won’t smear on your mask like lipstick worn on your lips can, especially if you set your makeup with translucent powder and a setting spray.

READ: Don’t waste your unused makeup: How to repurpose that lipstick or eyeshadow

REASSESS YOUR SKINCARE AND MAKEUP NEEDS

(Photo: Unsplash/Johanne)

It’s pretty clear that we won’t be going mask-free anytime soon. It’s safe to say that you’ll be continuing your pandemic-adapted beauty routine for an indefinite period.

If you’re still battling maskne, it’ll make sense to rethink your existing beauty regime. A good place to start would be to chuck out the heavier-textured, rich serums and moisturisers – consider using them to soften dry elbows and feet – and replace them with lighter, oil-free products that are friendly to acne-prone skin.

Try these oil-free items: 

KEW ORGANICS APPLE STEM CELL VITAGLOW SERUM, S$90 FOR 30ML

(Photo: Kew Organics)

This naturally sourced elixir taps Swiss apple stem cells to reverse ageing and resveratrol to boost cell renewal.

https://keworganics.com/

HEURE BEAUTY AGELESS DAY TREATMENT (BROAD SPECTURM SPF35), S$180

(Photo: Heure)

This hydrating day cream employs a patented transdermal delivery system that increases the speed of penetration of key ingredients such as vitamin C and E complex into skin so you get softer, better skin faster.

http://heurebeauty.com/

GLYCOLIC 10 RENEW OVERNIGHT, S$139 FOR 50ML

(Photo: Skinceuticals)

Want to wake up to better skin? This 10 per cent glycolic acid cream promotes exfoliation and cellular turnover while you sleep.

https://www.skinceuticals.sg/

READ: How to deal with ‘maskne’ or worse with DIY skincare kits you can use at home

Makeup-wise, you should realise by now that lip gloss, creamy lipsticks and cushion foundations with a dewy formulation are the biggest culprits for makeup transfer onto face masks. The only place you’ll be wearing those is at home, on a video-conference call.  

Try these new lipstick formulations:

DIOR ROUGE DIOR VELVET LIPSTICK, S$56

(Photo: Dior Beauty)

The all-new formula takes matte to a whole new dimension. Its extra-matte finish promises budge-proof wear that completely redefines long-wear makeup.

Available at Dior Beauty stores.

ESTEE LAUDER PURE COLOR ENVY ILLUMINATING SHINE, S$52

(Photo: Estee Lauder)

Say goodbye to chapped lips and dry lines. From a blend of hyaluronic acid, ceramides and triglycerides comes this nourishing lippie whose sole mission is to hydrate lips. 

The ultra-comfortable formula feels delightfully lightweight yet richly conditioning. Instantly plumps and smooths lips’ surface with moisture, while reducing flakiness and dry lines.

http://www.esteelauder.com.sg/

YSL BEAUTY ROUGE VOLUPTE SHINE BURNING CHILIS, S$55

(Photo: YSL Beauty)

This is arguably the sexiest lip conditioner you’ll ever meet. One swipe and those puckers will stay hydrated for hours on end.

https://www.yslbeautysg.com/

READ: Going out? How to wear lipstick under a face mask without messing it up

MAKE WISER PURCHASES

That doesn’t mean you can’t use lipstick and foundation at all, of course. What you need is to find transfer-resistant alternatives. If you must buy lip makeup, go for lip stains and tints, as well as budge-proof liquid lipsticks, which are all great options that will stay put on your pucker.

For a makeup base that won’t melt easily under your mask, choose foundations in a matte or semi-matte formula that will offer longer-lasting wear throughout your day out.

Try these lightweight foundations:

SULWHASOO PERFECTING FOUNDATION, S$72

(Photo: Sulwhasoo)

Infused with skincare benefits, this foundation’s lightweight texture wears on light as air and allows breathable comfort when worn.

https://www.sulwhasoo.com/sg/en/index.html

SISLEYA LE TEINT, S$200

(Photo: Sisley)

This is really a bottle of skincare that also offers coverage. Packed with active anti-ageing ingredients from the marque's L'Integral Anti-Age range, this foundation is said to have a "youthful effect". Skin is moisturised, plumped up and even feels denser. 

https://www.sisley-paris.com/en-SG

FENTY BEAUTY PRO FILT’R SOFT MATTE POWER FOUNDATION, S$52 FROM SEPHORA

(Photo: Fenty Beauty)

Rihanna loves this sweat, humidity and crease-resistant formula and so do we. We heard that Riri uses this foundation and a powder puff setting brush to blur out the appearance of pores.

https://www.sephora.sg/

READ: Is your BB cream making you look grey or greasy? Here's what you're doing wrong

At the same time, there are a few items you should definitely consider adding to your makeup kit – a translucent face powder that will set your makeup but not leave marks all over your mask like a pigmented face powder will, and a setting spray that will give your makeup look an additional boost of longevity.

Try these translucent face powders: 

HOURGLASS VEIL TRANSLUCENT SETTING POWDER, S$76, FROM SEPHORA

(Photo: Sephora)

This is not just another face powder. Its light-reflecting particles have the ability to blur out imperfections. Really.

https://www.sephora.sg/

LAURA MERCIER TRANSLUCENT LOOSE SETTING POWDER GLOW, S$36 FOR 9.3G (MINI)

(Photo: Laura Mercier)

This is a spin-off from the brand’s cult favourite loose powder. Infused with pearl pigments, the powder offers up a healthy glow finish.

https://www.lauramercier.com.sg/

SUPERGOOP! INVICIBLE SETTING POWDER SPF 45, S$45 FOR 4.5G, FROM SEPHORA

(Photo: Supergoop!)

This sweat-resistant powder goes on sheer to mop up oil and shine. And since it comes with SPF protection, you can skip a step in your skincare.

https://www.sephora.sg/

READ: Expert tips: How to stop makeup transfer on your face mask once and for all

With the money you’re saving from not buying those expensive lipsticks, why not add an eyeshadow palette or two to your makeup stash? Your eyes will be doing all the talking while you’re wearing your mask, so they are where you should be putting in more beautification efforts.

Try these eye palettes:

ONE/SIZE PATRICK STARRR VISIONARY EYESHADOW PALETTE, S$67 FROM SEPHORA

(Photo: Sephora)

Why stick to the same eye colour when you can have any colour of the rainbow. This curated palette featuring everyday matte and pigmented shimmer shades in neutrals and bold pops of colour is guaranteed for endless makeup play.

https://www.sephora.sg/

BYREDO EYESHADOW 5 COLOURS SCIOMANCER, S$110 FROM ESCENTIALS

(Photo: Byredo)

An homage to musician Yves Tumor, this colourful palette is as experimental as the rock star. These strong, glittery colours are perfect for creating bold, dramatic looks. 

https://escentials.com/collections/brands-byredo 

ANGE GARDIEN PARIS VITAMINS SHOWTIME EYE PALETTE, S$78

(Photo: Ange Gardien)

This French perfumer’s foray into makeup is a step in the right direction. This functional eye palette is made up of the nine basic colours every woman needs.

https://www.tangs.com/​​​​​​​ 

Source: CNA/yy

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