DOES YOUR MAKEUP ROUTINE NEED A DETOX?

We rarely make new year’s resolutions here at Woosh Beauty. Because, let’s face it, does anyone ever actually keep theirs (*does quick poll around the office, and the answer? Nope!).

January, however, is a great time to start afresh with certain things in your life. Maybe you’d like to significantly reduce the number of plastic bottles you have at home? Then now is a great time to switch out your laundry detergent and household cleaning products for more eco-friendly options from companies like Dropps or Blueland.

With most of us having a few days off work, the new year is also a fantastic time to do a closet check and get rid of clothes that haven’t been worn in the past year. It’s like spring cleaning. Just not in springtime – rules, shmules.

Then there’s your makeup. As you know, we hate waste and pride ourselves on creating incredible, refillable makeup palettes that seriously cut down on single-use plastics. We also help to curate your perfect color palette, meaning you never get left with eye shadows you rarely wear or foundations that never quite suit.

But we know that not everyone has come over to the smart side. And even if you have, we bet you’ve still got odds and ends hanging around in your makeup bag or bathroom vanity that never see the light of day. So if you want to do a makeup detox and start the new year the way you mean to go on, keep scrolling for five simple ways to refine your routine.

Kick Out Unfriendly Ingredients

Now’s the time to think about what goes on your skin and whether the ingredients in your beauty regime could be doing more harm than good. You’re probably aware of the most common irritants and potentially toxic ingredients to avoid in your hair and skincare routines, but did you know that makeup can also contain hidden enemies of both your skin and the environment? Things like parabens, harsh sulfates, PFAS, phthalates and synthetic fragrance all have their pitfalls so if you’re wary of what goes on your skin it’s wise to choose makeup that avoids all of these.

And what about animal testing? Where do you stand on that? We know how we feel which is why Woosh makeup is completely free of anything that’s tested on our furry friends. We also formulate our products with non-toxic, skin-friendly ingredients only.

Have a look through your makeup stash to scrutinize the ingredients listings and check whether your products are clean and cruelty-free. We are (of course!) but not all cosmetics companies can say the same thing. We mention no names, of course. That’s for you to do your homework.

Ditch Your Dated Stuff

Hands up if you have at least one decade-old lipstick in your makeup bag? Yeah, we get it. If you don’t wear makeup on a daily basis, some products are highly likely to outstay their welcome by months, if not years. But here’s the thing, just like the food in your pantry, makeup deteriorates and eventually goes bad. Makeup that’s past its expiration date can change composition and become a potential breeding ground for bacteria and mold. And that's bad news for your skin, causing anything from irritation to breakouts.  

How do you know if your products have hung around for too long? Well, most products have what’s called a PAO (period after opening) number somewhere on their packaging. This number, which is illustrated in an opened jar icon (below), tells you for how many months that product is guaranteed to be stable after it’s been opened; it’s a great guide to go by.

Of course, most products also let you know when they’ve had their day by separating, changing color or smelling kind of ew. It's also worth knowing that liquid makeup like lip stains, glosses, mascara and liquid foundation have the shortest shelf life because they contain water which becomes contaminated more easily than wax-based products like lipstick. Mascara, in particular, is a veritable hot bed for bacteria so they should be replaced every three months or so. No arguments.

When it comes to powders, the good news is that, because of their lack of water, they can last for years. Granted, if you tend to use your fingers to apply them, rather than brushes, these could leave oil on their surface which will eventually cause your powder makeup to go off. But if you use clean brushes (more on that in a minute), your powders are practically immortal.

As you know, we're the powder queens – ha, as if you needed yet another reason to invest in Woosh ;)

Also, Do You Really Need That Neon Yellow Eye Shadow?

Styles and preferences change. And that’s totally normal. So you know those super bright eye shadows and that fashion-forward black lipstick you loved 15 years ago? Face it, you’re not going to wear any of them again. Get. Rid. 

Be The Queen Of Organization

OK, now that you’ve decluttered and ditched the expired, unclean and weird stuff, you should be left with all the good makeup you like and wear. So let's get it organized, shall we?

Our Fold Out Face® Refillable Palette is the epitome of organized makeup because it includes all your eye shadows, concealer, contour powder, blushes, shimmers and foundation powders in one exceptional (and plastic-free!) palette. That’s the dream.

You could also invest in a cute pen pot to keep your lip products together in one tidy spot. Ditto your makeup brushes. Better yet, pop them in their own Prism Pouch which will keep them dust-free as an extra bonus!

Categorizing your makeup into eyes, face and lips helps you to see and access your products easily. It also helps you avoid wasting money buying duplicates you forgot you had. Because we’ve all been there… 

Start With A Clean Slate

Admit it: how long has it been since you last cleaned your makeup brushes? If your answer falls somewhere between months and never, now’s the time to get on that. Dirty makeup brushes that are clogged with oils from your skin and leftover makeup not only work less efficiently but also breed bacteria which can seriously irritate your skin. Especially if it’s pretty sensitive in the first place.

For an easy brush cleanse, first wet the bristles of each brush with warm water, then squeeze some mild liquid soap or shampoo into the palm of one hand and press the bristles of your brush into your palm, working it in circular motions for 30-60 seconds. Rinse under clean, running water, then repeat as necessary until the water runs clear. Squeeze gently with a paper towel then lay your brush out overnight to air dry.

We recommend doing your entire brush collection now (because it’s been a while, right?), then try to keep tabs so you don’t leave it so long until next time. If you’re a daily makeup wearer, you should ideally clean your brushes on a weekly basis, more often for any brushes that come into regular contact with liquid or creamy formulations like our Fold Out™ Concealer.

Now don't you feel better for that?