I know there comes a time when make lovers, like myself, ask this hard question: "How long have I had this makeup for?". Most of the time we'll hoard our makeup because "that mascara was so expensive and amazing" or "I will never be able to find this exact shade ever again". As I constantly add on to my collection, I find loads of products that I have been holding onto for so long and either haven't worn or kept for weird sentimental reasons.
Makeup is not a memory or some photograph that we have to keep forever. It's replaceable and to be frank, it's down right gross. I've been doing some heavy research on estimated times you should toss your makeup and was very surprised to find out that a lot of makeup should be thrown out earlier than expected.
Face Makeup
Face Powder & Blushes- About 2 years
Normally, powders, blushes, and bronzers don't produce a ton of bacteria overtime since they are "dry" products. It's something you put on your face (most likely everyday), it's still good to replace them every now and then.
Concealers & Primers- About 1 year
I would say that since you are using the applicator over and over again, you continually pump air into the product which dries it out and adds more bacteria to the product. This could also lead to dry or red under eyes if not thrown out in time.
Liquid Foundations & Creams- 6-12 months
Since these are "wet" products, they will produce an insane amount of bacteria. You put foundation all over your face so make sure you are changing your foundations and not keeping them for over a year. If you want your foundation to last a bit longer, look for foundations with a pump instead.
Lip Products
Lipstick-12-18 months
I think this lipstick above was in my vanity for like 5 years! It was such a great shade of red and I wore it for pretty much everything. However, it smelled horrible and was starting to make my lips itchy.
Lip Liner- 2 years
I haven't had a problem with lip liners 1) because I normally don't use them as much and 2) I don't have a ton in my collection anyway.
Lip Gloss- 1 year
Lip gloss is probably the worst of the three. It's wet, sticky, and is easily susceptible to an increased amount of bacteria because it's a liquid.
Eye MakeupMascara- 2-3 months
Mascara for me has been the toughest product to let go of. I always find a really great mascara or I'll purchase a high end mascara and will never want to just throw it out because of how much money I spent on it. Mascara is one of the most common products to cause eye infections so I think it's vital to get rid of mascaras that you've had for a long time (even if they're your faves).
Eye Liner- 6 months
Like mascara, liner is something that can also cause bad eye infections.
Eye Shadow- 2 years
Since eye shadow is a powder, it can last for a pretty long time. So, don't throw out your most treasured palettes! Sometimes you can use a makeup cleaner spray and lightly wipe your shadows down.
Cream Eye Shadow- 1 year
Like many liquid products, these have a shorter life span because they do harbor a lot of bacteria and aren't easy to really clean.
Eyebrow Gel- 12-18 months
I would say that eye brow gel isn't too much to worry about. I've had my Mary Kay brow gel for a while and since i'm the only one using it, I think it's okay to keep it for a little bit longer.
Brushes & Tools
Beauty Blender & Makeup Sponges- 6 months-1 year
I've heard a lot of bad stories about keeping old beauty sponges and it has scared me so much that I have to literally wash my sponge every single time I use it. They mold overtime and contain a lot of bacteria that can cause acne and infection. I would recommend washing your sponge constantly and replace it if it looks torn or you can't seem to clean any product out.
Brushes- Normally replacing a brush depends on the amount of usage and clean-age. I would recommend replacing older brushes that look frayed or the hairs start to shed off of them and onto your face like this Sonia Kashuk one.
Obviously, I'm not telling you guys to just throw out probably loads amount of money spent on your treasured beauty products but, sometimes it's time. Whether it's your favorite Benefit mascara or the only foundation you think "works best for you", it's time to rid of all that may cause nasty eye infections and excess acne we all dread! Slowly, tossing some products that you think have been lying around your vanity for some time might be a great idea. On the bright side, you get to declutter your space and possibly go out and try brand new makeup to replace the old stuff! Who knows, maybe you'll discover better products; these things are easy to replace and makeup will always be around.
I hope this helped any of you makeup enthusiasts out there! Sometimes I forget that makeup builds a ton of icky bacteria and I shouldn't be hoarding everything for stupid reasons. Is there a product you can never seem to toss?
Xoxo, Nat
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Even though it's the middle of September (where has the time gone?), it's still 80 degrees in Chicago and there hasn't been any sign of Fall! It's at that awkward transition stage of Summer to Fall and I never know when to wear shorts or when to wear jeans. Lately, I've been wearing a lot of rolled jeans and tanks. It's a bearable in between when it's still pretty warm out but, night usually gets a lot cooler. I have also been loving black and heather toned stuff. It just pulls me in whenever I see a piece of clothing in a store nowadays.
I would define my style as pretty sporty. I'm loving this "Athleisure" vibe and it's been hella comfy to wear pretty much anywhere. You can wear this outfit out to dinner, shopping, at a movie, to school, to work, or just hanging out on a chill Sunday with peeps. You can dress this look up or down and I love how versatile these pieces can be!
I have seen a lot of these mixes of athletic wear paired with rolled up jeans and cute accessories; I have really grown to love it. High-neck muscle tees and ripped black jeans paired with my favorite Nike's have been a go to look for me this season. Adding a nice leather saddle bag can add a touch of sophistication and balance the ensemble, in my opinion.
Shout out to my loving sis, Melissa, for helping me take these pictures (and Dad too). I haven't taken any fashion pics lately and I was inspired to take some when my family went out to Oak Park a bit ago. I've been obsessed with this type of style for a while now and I want to know what trends you guys have been loving lately as well! Let me know in the comments.
Urban Outfitters Messenger Bag
Xoxo, Nat
I haven't done a nail polish post in so long and to be fair, I'm not that big on the #nailsonfleek trend but, I found possibly one of the most life changing (a little dramatic, Natalie) nail polishes for all you lazy nail people out there like myself.
I've always hated doing my nails; I thought there was no hope for us girls that despise nails and all things that come with it. Until one very blessed day as I was strolling past a Walgreen's kiosk that read, "1 STEP GEL, NO LAMP", and I was instantly hooked. Wet n Wild's Wondergel has changed the nail polish game for sure. This product is only five bucks and does "wonders" on my nails, here's why:
1) They're So Opaque
I don't think I have encountered a nail polish that has the best opaqueness these do. Every time I have used these, I've only used one coat and I was done. Every color I have bought (only these three, so sad) performed beautifully.
2) They Don't Chip--EVER
I wore this polish for over two weeks and it never budged. Sometimes, with my nail polish on my toes, it never chips but, even on my fingernails nothing came off!
3) Flash Drying Time
I couldn't compare how fast the drying time was in minutes or even seconds because it literally dries as soon as you apply it. I can be in bed and apply one coat to my nails and go to sleep as soon as I'm done it's that fast. Funny story, I painted my nails with this and immediately ate Flaming Hot Cheetos right after so, if that doesn't say it's a holy grail polish then I don't know what does.
4) The Best Brush
I'm never the one to get picky about a nail polish brush but, it so makes the difference! Especially this one because it's flat and can spread across the entire nail as you apply the polish.
5) No Top Coat or Lamp Needed
There's no need for any final coat or lamp. The beauty of this polish is how easy and convenient it is to use. It looks like a gel and stays looking like a gel for so long.
If any of you are like me and dread the chore of painting nails, please go out and try these polishes. They're super affordable and amazing quality gel polishes. Wet n Wild keeps impressing me every time they come out with new stuff so I highly recommend trying their other products out. Have you guys tried these yet?
Xoxo, Nat
Happy Tuesday everybody! I have always seen bloggers review Philosophy products and I have heard very great reviews about their skincare products. Wondering why I have never tried them before, my best friend actually gifted me this Mixed Berry Tart Kit for my birthday last month.
I have kind of fallen in love with all of these birthday sets and mini travel kits that are out in the stores now. It's a cool idea for a gift and it's nice to get small samples to try out. This has been by far one of the best sets I have tried!
Something about Philosophy that I have really liked about their products was that they post the recipes of the scent onto the packaging. It's so unique and really cute. Plus, the scents are so delicious! This one is especially fruity and I popped this lotion into my backpack and I use it all the time.
I was really fascinated by this little guy! It's a shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath. WHAT?! This has to be my favorite one of them all. As I'm writing this, I've already used half the bottle in the shower. Now I don't normally take baths so, I haven't experimented with it that way. However, I have used it for both my hair and skin; it works really well. It makes my whole body smell and feel ravishing.
I'm not a huge lip gloss fan to be completely honest. I think this particular lip gloss though, will make me want to where it more often. BTW, it tastes pretty good as it smells.
Dismiss my Yin Yang temp-tattoo that my sister put on my finger, this lip gloss is pretty sheer and leaves a subtle pink tint to your lips. It sort of reminds me of a Bath and Body Works lip gloss in a way. I like this lip gloss a lot because it's not sticky or really thick when you apply it.
All in all, this was a really great set. Shout out to my BFF Ellie for giving it to me! This is a really nice set to give to anybody that loves skincare and cosmetics or is just wanting to try out some great products. They are really nice for travelling, too! What are some Philosophy products or scents I should look out for next?
Xoxo, Nat
Hey guys! I have been on one of the weirdest schedules this week. School has finally picked up and I have been a very "busy bee" lately! We had Labor Day Weekend which is just an extra day for everyone to sleep in or go to Labor Day parades and whatnot but, it totally set me off and I thought Tuesday was Monday! Knowing silly, old me, I totally forgot to post something and so I posted my August Faves two days ago. Now that I have everything messed up, I am just going to post this today and start next week fresh!
Speaking of keeping things fresh, unlike my schedule, I have my new and fully updated skincare routine that has taken a couple months for me to figure out. You guys can go read my older skincare routine, here, to read about what I used last year and what I have changed or added this year!
Morning:
Garnier Micellar Water- Every morning for me seems to repeat itself: my alarm goes off, I hit the snooze, I'm late, and I have no time to actually do a full on skincare routine. However! This micellar water has saved me so many times. I use a cotton pad, pour out a little, and rid of any grime or oil that was on my face overnight. No rinse and I'm out the door!
Soap & Glory 3 in 1 Daily Detox Cleasner- When there is enough time for me to do the whole "shebang", I like using this cleanser from Soap & Glory. It's very refreshing and minty! It also gets rid of oil and leftover grossness.
Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer- Before I leave the door, I can't forget to add a little bit of moisture to my face. Moisturizing is super important even though some of you, including me, have pretty oily-combo skin. I love this Simple one because it's light and also leaves my skin very smooth.
Night:
Origins Modern Friction Dermabrasion Cream- This was one of the first Origins products that I have ever tried and I have been really loving it. This cream is an exfoliant and just helps to even out spots and discoloration. I've been using this every couple of days just because it's pretty harsh for your skin to be exfoliated every single day.
Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash- This face wash was the second Origins product I have ever owned and I am so impressed by these products! I think this face wash does an A+ job at removing all of my makeup from the day. I like to do all of my face washing in the shower to save some time and water!
Mary Kay Indulge Soothing Eye Gel- Recently I have been getting into eye creams and gels. I know a lot of people like to use gels for their eyes in the mornings but, I personally like to use them before bed and then I can wake up with smooth and refreshed eyes!
EOS Lip Balm in Coconut Milk- I am so addicted to this lip balm. I. Kid. You. Not. This has changed the way I appreciated lip care. It smells absolutely delicious and my lips have never been smoother (woah Natalie, calm down it's just lip balm...but is it?).
Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Mini Body Butter- I have a huge pump size of this lotion but, I thought I would just include this mini version of it as a body butter instead. I have raved about my love for Soap & Glory's products so much before. They're just amazing!
For Special Occasions:
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser- It's been a struggle trying to use these two Fresh products very sparingly; they have done wonders to my skin. You don't even need more than a quarter sized amount of this cleanser to remove a full face of makeup! I might have to repurchase this in a larger size.
Fresh Rose Face Mask- I have only used this once and I'm trying to stretch out the rest of the product for another go. The packaging is just so small for how great this product is! Obviously this was from a birthday kit that I received from Sephora a couple weeks ago but, I wish there was more. It smells so floral and smooths my skin very well.
Glam Glow Youthcleanse Exfoliating Cleanser- This was another cleanser that I have still been trying to save because it's just one of "those" products that you want to last for ever and ever! It's great because I only exfoliate ever so often and it only takes a very small amount to do the job. Love Glam Glow!
I hope you guys liked this new, updated skincare regimen! I apologize for any confusion about this weird schedule, I promise that I will be back on my feet next Tuesday. Until then, what have been some great skincare products you guys can't live without?
Xoxo, Nat
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