12 Beauty Storage Dos and Don'ts
Keep your make-up stash and tools fresh, germ-free and in tiptop shape by adhering to these storage and cleaning rules
On a scale of one to 10, how would you rate your cosmetic care game? If you regularly sanitise your make-up tools and store them properly, congrats; you get full marks! If, however, your rating was way off the top double-digit score, there’s serious room for improvement. Practicing good beauty hygiene is the key to prolonging the shelf life of your make-up products and tools, and will ensure they remain safe to use. Read on for a list of cosmetic care dos and don’ts you should commit to memory, so you can keep your make-up kit as fresh, clean and healthy as possible.
2. …and DON’T forget your make-up, too
During your weekly brush cleaning session, sanitise your cosmetics as well. Mascara is one of the biggest magnets for bacteria. To disinfect your tube of mascara, use a tissue to wipe dried-on gunk off the wand, then follow it up by cleaning the brush with eye make-up cleaner. Allow it to air-dry completely before returning the wand to the tube.
To disinfect lipstick, cream blush or cream foundation, spritz them with an alcohol-based make-up cleaning solution and let them air-dry or gently towel them down with a tissue.
During your weekly brush cleaning session, sanitise your cosmetics as well. Mascara is one of the biggest magnets for bacteria. To disinfect your tube of mascara, use a tissue to wipe dried-on gunk off the wand, then follow it up by cleaning the brush with eye make-up cleaner. Allow it to air-dry completely before returning the wand to the tube.
To disinfect lipstick, cream blush or cream foundation, spritz them with an alcohol-based make-up cleaning solution and let them air-dry or gently towel them down with a tissue.
3. DO store perfumes in a cool, dry place
Heat and harsh sunlight aren’t on friendly terms with fragrances, as they can break down the chemical bonds that give perfumes their scent, which lessens their quality. Make your perfumes last longer by storing them in a cool, dark place, like a cupboard or drawer. Aim for a spot that’s at room temperature, which is between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius.
Heat and harsh sunlight aren’t on friendly terms with fragrances, as they can break down the chemical bonds that give perfumes their scent, which lessens their quality. Make your perfumes last longer by storing them in a cool, dark place, like a cupboard or drawer. Aim for a spot that’s at room temperature, which is between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius.
4. DO the same for beauty products
Beauty products should also be stored away from heat, humidity and direct sunlight, as their preservatives start to deteriorate when exposed to these conditions. Make-up, especially cream cosmetics, can also soften or melt in extreme heat and usually won’t return to their original condition, even once they’ve solidified.
Beauty products should also be stored away from heat, humidity and direct sunlight, as their preservatives start to deteriorate when exposed to these conditions. Make-up, especially cream cosmetics, can also soften or melt in extreme heat and usually won’t return to their original condition, even once they’ve solidified.
5. DO wash your toiletry bag every other month
Make-up bags are a breeding ground for bacteria, with used brushes, cosmetic spillages and other contaminants all contributing to their icky, germ-filled state. The easiest way to keep your cosmetic bag as squeaky clean as possible is to pop it in the wash every few months (or more frequently, if needed).
Give the lining of your bag a once over with an antibacterial wipe in between washes for a quick freshen up.
Make-up bags are a breeding ground for bacteria, with used brushes, cosmetic spillages and other contaminants all contributing to their icky, germ-filled state. The easiest way to keep your cosmetic bag as squeaky clean as possible is to pop it in the wash every few months (or more frequently, if needed).
Give the lining of your bag a once over with an antibacterial wipe in between washes for a quick freshen up.
6. DON’T leave facial scrubs and cleansers in the shower
Steamy, wet showers don’t provide the optimum storage environment for facial scrubs, cleansers and exfoliating powders, which can easily become diluted or grow bacteria or mould when stored in this water-logged spot. I learnt this lesson the hard way when my very expensive container of Dermalogica powder exfoliant turned to mouldy mush after living on the ledge of my shower-bath for a few months. A better place to store these products is in your bathroom vanity, medicine cabinet or in another room altogether!
Steamy, wet showers don’t provide the optimum storage environment for facial scrubs, cleansers and exfoliating powders, which can easily become diluted or grow bacteria or mould when stored in this water-logged spot. I learnt this lesson the hard way when my very expensive container of Dermalogica powder exfoliant turned to mouldy mush after living on the ledge of my shower-bath for a few months. A better place to store these products is in your bathroom vanity, medicine cabinet or in another room altogether!
7. DO refrigerate your beauty finds, but proceed with caution
The jury is still out on whether cosmetics should be refrigerated. Some beauty experts say cooler temps can preserve make-up, while others disagree and proclaim the chilled conditions do more harm than good.
Since there’s no definitive answer, go with your personal preference but use common sense too. For example, if you love the refreshing feel of chilled face cream or lining your lips with a slick of cool lippy, go ahead and fill your fridge with your lotions and lipsticks. However, if they start to smell or look funky, throw them out and stick with the room-temperature rule in future.
The jury is still out on whether cosmetics should be refrigerated. Some beauty experts say cooler temps can preserve make-up, while others disagree and proclaim the chilled conditions do more harm than good.
Since there’s no definitive answer, go with your personal preference but use common sense too. For example, if you love the refreshing feel of chilled face cream or lining your lips with a slick of cool lippy, go ahead and fill your fridge with your lotions and lipsticks. However, if they start to smell or look funky, throw them out and stick with the room-temperature rule in future.
8. DO protect your make-up brushes by storing them properly
Lengthen the lifespan of your make-up brushes by storing them upright in a jar or rolling them up in a brush roll. If you choose to stand your brushes up in a jar, place clear plastic protectors over the bristles to prevent the hairs from getting snarled or kinked. Alternatively, fill the bottom of the container with beads, coffee beans or small stones, as this will help keep the brush heads apart and create a visually appealing display too.
Lengthen the lifespan of your make-up brushes by storing them upright in a jar or rolling them up in a brush roll. If you choose to stand your brushes up in a jar, place clear plastic protectors over the bristles to prevent the hairs from getting snarled or kinked. Alternatively, fill the bottom of the container with beads, coffee beans or small stones, as this will help keep the brush heads apart and create a visually appealing display too.
9. DO treat your grooming tools to a weekly spa
Just like your make-up brushes, beauty tools such as tweezers, eyelash curlers and eye pencil sharpeners should also be cleaned regularly. Wipe the tools over with antibacterial wipes or a make-up remover pad dipped in rubbing alcohol, to remove bacteria and other microscopic contaminants from the surface. Tweezers should be sterilised after every use, while you can get away with cleaning your eyelash curler and eye pencil sharpener once a week.
Just like your make-up brushes, beauty tools such as tweezers, eyelash curlers and eye pencil sharpeners should also be cleaned regularly. Wipe the tools over with antibacterial wipes or a make-up remover pad dipped in rubbing alcohol, to remove bacteria and other microscopic contaminants from the surface. Tweezers should be sterilised after every use, while you can get away with cleaning your eyelash curler and eye pencil sharpener once a week.
10. DON’T (ever) stow skincare products or grooming tools on open bathroom shelving
Avoid stowing skincare or beauty tools on top of your vanity or on an open shelf in your bathroom, especially if a toilet shares the space. There are millions of bacteria swirling around your bathroom (including faecal matter… yes, you read that correctly) and those suckers don’t discriminate, so they will latch onto the surface of your comb, skincare bottles or make-up brushes if you leave them out in the open. These icky germs will then transfer onto your hands (or hair) and then your skin when you use the tools or apply beauty products with your fingertips. Gross!
Avoid stowing skincare or beauty tools on top of your vanity or on an open shelf in your bathroom, especially if a toilet shares the space. There are millions of bacteria swirling around your bathroom (including faecal matter… yes, you read that correctly) and those suckers don’t discriminate, so they will latch onto the surface of your comb, skincare bottles or make-up brushes if you leave them out in the open. These icky germs will then transfer onto your hands (or hair) and then your skin when you use the tools or apply beauty products with your fingertips. Gross!
11. DO arrange pressed powders neatly to prevent them from shattering
Cosmetics aren’t cheap, so it’s in your best interest to store and arrange them in a way that prevents the products from becoming damaged. For powder compacts and eye-shadow palettes, that means storing them flat in a drawer or cosmetic organiser, rather than tossing them haphazardly into your make-up bag or piled into your dresser drawer. Using drawer dividers will also stop the compacts from sliding around and help prevent cracking.
When packing for a trip, pad your compact or palette with a cotton ball. The cushy pouf will stop the powder from shattering if it gets bumped, jostled around or dropped.
Cosmetics aren’t cheap, so it’s in your best interest to store and arrange them in a way that prevents the products from becoming damaged. For powder compacts and eye-shadow palettes, that means storing them flat in a drawer or cosmetic organiser, rather than tossing them haphazardly into your make-up bag or piled into your dresser drawer. Using drawer dividers will also stop the compacts from sliding around and help prevent cracking.
When packing for a trip, pad your compact or palette with a cotton ball. The cushy pouf will stop the powder from shattering if it gets bumped, jostled around or dropped.
12. DON’T leave your razor in the shower
Okay, so a razor isn’t exactly a beauty tool, but we thought this commandment was worth a mention, as many people are guilty of this storage sin – myself included. While leaving your razor in your shower sure is convenient, prolonged exposure to water will actually dull the blade and cause corrosion. Blunt and rusty razors are not only ineffective, but they can increase the chances that you’ll nick yourself and potentially cause infections, too.
TELL US
What’s your best cosmetic care tip? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Okay, so a razor isn’t exactly a beauty tool, but we thought this commandment was worth a mention, as many people are guilty of this storage sin – myself included. While leaving your razor in your shower sure is convenient, prolonged exposure to water will actually dull the blade and cause corrosion. Blunt and rusty razors are not only ineffective, but they can increase the chances that you’ll nick yourself and potentially cause infections, too.
TELL US
What’s your best cosmetic care tip? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
10 Ways to Set Up a Blissful Bathroom Pamper Zone
Beautiful Bathrooms: 8 Ways to Show Off Soaps, Lotions and Potions
13 Items You Should Toss Out (and Replace), Stat
Set aside time each week to clean your make-up brushes. These essential beauty tools do, after all, collect dirt, oil and bacteria – which can cause breakouts and irritations – so you really don’t want these nasties chilling out on their bristles. Regular cleaning will also preserve the hairs and shape of your brushes, which is essential if you prefer precise looks like a chic cat eye or perfectly filled-in lip.
Disinfect your brushes by spraying them with an alcohol-based brush cleaner, or give them a quick wash using a gentle shampoo or facial cleanser. Once you’ve cleaned your brushes, dry them by hanging the hairs over the edge of a table or benchtop. This will ensure the bristles don’t become matted or misshapen.
Make-up sponges should also be cleaned once a week, either with brush cleaner or by popping them in your washing machine on laundry day.