Whether its girls night or a romantic hook-up, no one wants to be bombarded with warnings, rules, and cautions. So, here are some makeup tips for you to absorb now so that when you do make that make you can look good but by way of smart practices.
Sharing…
Continue to love your friends and family but stop sharing makeup with them. Some of the best girls nights you have ever had may have been those where the gang got prepared in cramped quarters and we have all had those times when we left home and forgot to apply lipstick, bronzer or eyeshadow. But, these occasions don’t change that fact that passing around the lip gloss is a no-no. The same goes for cosmetics that don’t come into contact with your mouth. Germs and infections can easily be spread by way of cosmetics. Bonding is one thing that is quite another.
Forcing the situation…
It’s a rotten situation when you love a product that doesn’t love you back, but it happens to the best of us. Though the color may be like no other and though you may have paid a nice chunk of change, if you apply a product and get an adverse reaction such as itching, redness or teary eyes, you need to part ways with it like a woman because there is a good possibility that you are allergic to it.
You may think, oh I can bear a few tears or tingling lips, but the most severe symptoms, such as scaly skin, rashes and blistering may not arise for hours or days. Furthermore, a product may only cause mild irritation the first time you wear it, but some allergic reactions become worse with continued use.
Another issue that shouldn’t be forced is attachment to a product that appears to have reached the end of its lifespan. Many women treat cosmetics as if they are eternal products and need to be discarded only once the package is empty. Unfortunately, this is not the case. They too have expiration dates. Mascara, for example, has one of the shortest lifespans and should be tossed after 3 to 6 months, whereas eyeshadows and facial powders can often last for three years if stored properly.
If a product becomes discolored, develops a peculiar odor or its texture or consistency changes, you need to part ways with it, no matter how long you have had it. Like food cosmetics break down and become rancid and should at that point be kept far away from the skin… unless you are aiming to increase your risk of exposure to bacteria, mold, fungus, or infection.
Makeup on the go…
If it has ever been brought to your attention that you were the hold-up or that you were supposed to be at a certain place at a certain time, which had already passed, you may have felt pressured to kick it into high gear. For a woman on a mission, this often means applying makeup on the go.
The next time you find yourself in that situation, consider a few things in advance, like washing your hands and keeping them clean. Make sure you don’t touch germ-laden things before you put your makeup on, such as elevator buttons, door handles or subway turnstiles.
Avoid carelessly gathering your makeup, applicators and brushes. It is important to always handle these items in a hygienic manner and throwing them into your purse or stuffing them into a pocket without making sure they are covered does not fit the bill.
Also, if you will head out after work or another engagement and plan to spruce up beforehand, make sure you don’t leave your makeup in the car on a hot day and avoid leaving cosmetics exposed to direct sunlight even on a cool day. Both practices can cause the preservatives in the products to break down, which means they will need to be discarded.
Lights Out…
If you are grown, set your own rules while you’re out, but follow this one when the night is over… don’t sleep with your makeup on. No matter how tired you are, no matter how much you have had to drink, clean your face. If there is a possibility that you may crash at someone else’s place, either make sure to bring your facial cleanser or at the minimum get cleansing wipes. Leaving makeup on overnight can result in breakouts, slower healing of skin conditions and premature aging.