How long is too long to keep that trusty lengthening mascara? We asked Bobbi Brown’s PRO Artist, Hannah Martin to share her expert tips and tricks on how to keep your make-up bag as fresh, clean and healthy has possible…
1. How much bacteria really harbours in your make-up bag?
"Bacteria can harbour in most makeup items, even powders. All products will come with an expiration date on the outer packaging so make sure to take note and use this as a guide."
2. Which products should you keep the closest eye on?
"Cream based products have the shortest shelf life as bacteria grows in warm, damp conditions. Make sure if you use a cream compact foundation that you wash the sponge regularly to keep bacteria at bay. Powders last much longer than creams and liquids as bacteria doesn’t breed as easily in dry conditions as they do in wet conditions."
3. How long should you keep your mascara, lipstick, foundation and powders?
"Most liquids have a 12 month shelf life. Powders have a suggested 24 month shelf life. Mascara, however, doesn't keep so well so we would suggest replacing it every 3 months."
4. How often should you clean your brushes and why?
"For a healthy application, make sure you clean your brushes and sponges regularly. Brushes can be spray cleaned after each use with products such as the Bobbi Brown Brush Cleaning Spray, (£16.00) Then, once a month do a deep clean with Bobbi Brown Conditioning Brush Cleanser, (£11.00) or mild shampoo with warm water. Leave your brushes to dry over the edge of a worktop overnight.
Sponges or powder puffs should be washed once a week either in the sink with a brush cleanser or you can pop them in the washing machine, too."
5. How often should you change/clean your actual make-up bag?
"Make-up bags can get really mucky too so make sure you pop them in the wash every few months to keep them as bacteria free as possible. In between washes you can turn most makeup bags inside out and give them a once over with a face wipe for a refresh."
6. What happens to skin if you use ‘gone off’ make-up?
"Gone off makeup can irritate skin and exacerbate any skin infections, so it’s really important to stay on top of."
7. Where should you store your make-up bag?
"Makeup is best stored in a cool, dark place. Direct sunlight can turn the colour of foundations but they keep their intended colour when kept in a dark place. Warm conditions will encourage bacteria to breed so avoid keeping your makeup bag on the radiator. Whilst it feels lovely to apply eye cream that has been kept in the fridge, it is not essential to keep cream based products below room temperature."
8. Why is sharing make-up a bad idea?
"If you have blemishes or broken skin, it’s really important that you don't share or use your friend’s brushes as this will spread bacteria and germs. I remember years ago working at London Fashion week a model had to wear an eye patch as she had picked up an eye infection at New York Fashion Week, the week before, from sharing brushes."
9. Quick fixes to keep your make-up fresh?
"To keep your mascara as fresh as possible, every once in a while, pull your mascara wand through a tissue to clean off any old, crumbly mascara and allow the wand to collect fresh mascara from inside the wand. If you have cream products like lipstick, cream blusher or foundation, you can spray them with an alcohol spray from a beauty supply store and then tissue off to disinfect them."
10. Any other expert tips to keep your make-up bag and make-up kit fresh?
"A good tip for keeping your powder compact clean is to store the powder puff enclosed upside down. That way, any oil or bacteria transferred from your skin to the puff won't touch the powder and will prevent a film forming on the surface of your powder."