Let’s be real, we could all use some help when it comes to saving money in the beauty department. And no, we’re not just talking about snagging dreamy designer creams for half off or purchasing drugstore brand products at super low prices (although both of those aren’t bad ideas at all). What we’re talking about is actually making your products last longer! You know, like not go bad as fast or run out so soon? Check out these 10 clever little tricks for extending the life of your cosmetics. They’re all worth a try (trust us).
Leaving your sunscreen lying around at the beach or pool (especially in direct light) is a big no-no, according to Megan Franks, Esthetician and Operations Manager at Paradise Skin Products. “This will cause your SPF to activate and die, something most people don’t realize until they get home, look in the mirror and discover they’re a nice shade of red. I always tell my patients the best place to keep their sunscreen is in the cooler,” says Megan. Just be sure the product doesn’t freeze!
Don’t toss out those creamy lotions and face moisturizers just yet! Instead, beauty stylist Fanny Woo recommends cutting off the tops of your tubes and salvaging every last drop of product you can. Dr. Brooke Jackson of the Skin Wellness Center of Chicago adds that using a toothpaste squeezer can also help you achieve the same results.
Makeup sponges tend to eat up half your product before they even start spreading any, notes Sebastien Tardif, makeup artist and co-founder/CCO of Veil Cosmetics. To avoid this, use a clean foundation brush (not your fingers!) instead. You’ll find that a little product goes a long way.
Tired of your cream or gel liners always drying out? Buy some sample-sized plastic jars from your local beauty supply store, and take a bit of eyeliner from your original pot and put it into a new one, suggests Paula Wade of Older Girl Beauty. Use the new jar on a day-to-day basis, and be sure to close the lid on the other one tightly. “This will prevent most of your product from drying out, as the original container won’t be opened as often, letting in the dry air.”
Scott Fontana, owner of Cristophe Salon Newport Beach, says that transferring your hair products to glass containers can also prevent them from going bad as fast.
Your hands are breeding ground for bacteria, so take the advice of Celebrity Beauty Guru Kym Douglas and just keep them off. “Pour your daily cosmetics onto a stainless steel palette, and use clean brushes to apply makeup. If you never touch your hands to the opening of a liquid product (or your lips to the edge of a lipstick), it’ll stay bacteria-free for longer.”
Pamela Jeschonik, a licensed esthetician and founder of EyebrowMBA, adds that this is especially important for organic products which often lack the preservatives to help keep bacteria growth at bay.
Purchase smaller containers when it comes to skincare, and you’ll end up saving in the long run, says board certified dermatologist, Dr. Ava Shamban, author of Heal Your Skin. “You’ll have the opportunity to actually use all of the product before it goes bad and while the ingredients are still active. Over time, many ingredients become less potent (like in sunscreen and acne medications). Some products that contain AHA’s can even become so potent over time that they lead to allergic reactions,” warns Ava.
Get the most out of your moisturizer by applying it after you hop out of the shower, says Melissa Picoli, esthetician and founder of BijaBody health + beauty. “This allows you to use less, while still getting the same benefits because your skin already has some moisture.”
To help thin out older polishes that are thick and starting to clump, beauty expert and licensed medical aesthetician Kelley West suggests adding a little bit of acetone nail polish remover to the bottle. “This should make them useable again,” she says.
One of the best ways to extend the life of your facial creams, serums, liquid makeup, mascaras, nail polish, hair products and even perfume is to store them in a cool place, advises makeup artist and beauty expert Josephine Fusco. “Keep them out from under the sink, especially during the wintertime when the heat is on.”
If you can carve out a section of your fridge (maybe it’s the butter compartment or egg holder, some space that you don’t use all the time), this is a great place to stash them, says celebrity makeup artist LeAura Luciano. “Most products are shelf stable, but the heat from keeping them in the bathroom (think how many steamy showers you take) can break down ingredients faster.”
Wish your mascara would last longer? Then don’t pump the wand in and out of the tube, warns Black Opal’s Artistic Director Frank Guyton. “This traps air inside the chamber, causing bacteria to grow, as well as your product to dry out faster. Just pull out the wand, simply wipe off any excess mascara with a tissue and apply to lashes.”
images via imaxtree
Via: 10 Clever Little Tricks for Extending the Life of Your Beauty Products