Detox is the buzz word for January, but if you are skipping the wheatgrass shots, then turn to your beauty stash for a thorough cleanse.
If you are forever rifling through your handbag for an eyeliner or dusting crumbled eye shadow off your other cosmetics, it’s time to go in for some thorough de-cluttering and brush up on your organisation.
MAKE-UP M.O.T
Guilty of being a cosmetics junkie? Chances are you have a treasure trove of products past their expiry date as you have moved on to the next big thing.
Old products can actually damage your health, says Dr Patrick Bowler, skin care expert at Court House Clinics. “The worst scenario is you could develop a nasty rash or infection if the product has been contaminated with bacteria,” he warns.
As a rough guide, eye make-up such as mascaras and liquid liners should not be used after six months, although eye and brow pencils can last up to three years if used sensibly.
Other cosmetic favourites, such as foundations, concealers, powders, lipsticks and glosses, should be used no longer than 24 months.
TRY: Estee Lauder Professional Brush Collection, from £15 per brush (www.esteelauder.co.uk); Ms Makeup Double Dipper Dual Tipped Applicators, £1.99 (Boots).
HANDBAG HAVEN
As handbags get bigger and bigger in planet fashion we keep filling them with more beauty bits and bobs. Bad news for your back – and make-up hygiene.
Some of the most commonly found bacteria in those Mary Poppins bags include pseudomonas, which can cause eye infections, such as conjunctivitis and staphylococcus.
“Old make-up brushes, especially if they have been festering at the bottom of a handbag, could be riddled with bacteria,” says pharmacist Jason Zemmel.
TRY: The Body Shop Retractable Blusher Brush, £11.50; Mary Kay Compact Pro tray with magnetic refill system, £18 (www.marykay.co.uk).
CABINET DE-CLUTTER
If you have besieged your bathroom with more products than your local pharmacy, it is time to take stock.
Throw out all the old bottles containing remnants where you practically need a magnifying glass to see what is left and make room for fresh new products. Look out for multi-use products to help limit bottle overload.
“Try to keep your ‘beauty zone’ to a specific shelf in your bathroom,” says Zu Rafalat, founder of beauty boutique Zuneta.com
“This will ensure your collection stays in check. If I haven’t used a product at least five times in six months, I ditch it – it means you don’t love it any more and it will be getting past its best-by at that stage.”
TRY: Marks & Spencer hanging Floral Cosmetics Organiser, £12; The Holding Company Expanding Vanity Drawer, £21 (www.theholdingcompany.co.uk).
KIT KUDOS
If you are making steps to detox your beauty treat yourself to a new cosmetic organiser to kick-start the cleanse.
TRY: Celia Birtwell Brush Roll, £8 (Boots); Orla Keily car print beauty case, £59.99 (Debenhams/www.tripp.co.uk).
Tried and Tested
Detox under way? Dry body brushing stimulates lymphatic drainage and eliminates toxins.
Dove Spa Wooden Body Brush, £5 (www.dovespa.co.uk) 4/5
A compact hand brush with easy-to-grip strap. I love the combined textures though it feels rough.
Origins Raffe Body Brush, £10 (www.origins.co.uk/John Lewis) 5/5
Love the look of this medium-sized Japanese body brush. The sisal fibres feel lighter and ideal for first-time detoxers.
Elemis Skin Brush, £18 (www.timetospa.co.uk) 3/5
The long handle is useful to reach those awkward areas on your back. I got used to the bristles but they feel scratchy and I didn’t feel it would suit sensitive skin.
Star buy
We all need all the brightess we can squeeze into our beauty regimes at this time of year.
Give coloured tresses a shine injection with Sassoon’s Professional Illuminating Clean Shampoo (£13.70).
FOR INFO: www.sassoon.com or 0141 226 4484
