From The Straits Times    |
10 beauty products and tools you need to throw away before the new year thumb

10 beauty products and tools you need to throw away before the new year

Image: Mariia Margulis/123rf

#1 Your loofah
If you’re nuts about exfoliation (or just know you should be doing it regularly), you probably own a loofah or some kind of exfoliating glove. It’s not the easiest task keeping track of when you last replaced it, but if you’re reading this and it’s been so long that you can’t remember when you last replaced your current one, chuck it out to be safe. 

#2 Perfumes that have “turned”
Perfumes are so subjective and occasion-specific that it’s common to have several bottles in your rotation. The truth is that most perfumes do go bad (also referred to as “turning”). Factors that contribute to it are how and where you store the bottles, as well as the contents of that perfume. Better quality perfumes are more likely to last much longer.

If a perfume has soured, changed colour, or lost its original smell, it has probably turned and it’s time to get rid of it. If you just don’t find yourself wearing a perfume anymore but find it wasteful to throw away, you’re better off giving it away to someone who’ll give it the love it deserves.

#3 Face masks
Skincare loses effectiveness after a while, especially products like face masks or serums. For something with high efficacy that’s only meant to sit on your skin for a maximum of 10 to 20 minutes, it’s advisable to keep track of how long you’ve been using the product. Know the mask you have was a Christmas present from last year? Into the bin it should go.

#4 Nail polish
Most of us don’t have the time to do our own nails, but those of you who love collecting nail polish anyway will understand what it’s like to have an entire drawer of nail polishes you barely use. I recently went through my collection and threw away about 15 bottles that were dried up or halfway there. It might pain you to throw away so many colours you love, but you won’t miss them too much, we promise.

#5 Clumpy mascara
If you’ve done research or read our article on how long you should keep your makeup, you’d know that mascara should be thrown out every three months. If you haven’t bought or received a new mascara since September, you should think about chucking the ones you have. Holding onto a good mascara that’s too old is not worth the potential eye infection.

#6 Foundations that don’t suit your skin
Because we don’t have seasons like Summer and Winter and more or less have the same tan (or lack of) all year round, chances are you don’t need multiple shades of foundation. If you’re hoarding foundations that don’t suit your skin tone (or skin type) just because they were expensive, you should consider selling them (apps like Carousell are common places to sell partially used foundation) or just giving them away to someone who can use them. Declutter your makeup collection and make way for new products you can actually use!

#7 Hoarded body lotions
Body lotions and hand creams are common presents, which means we tend to have a few lying around the place we don’t actually use. If you’re just someone who doesn’t like scented moisturisers or are generally picky about what you put on your skin, consider re-gifting or getting rid of random bottles that are only taking up valuable storage space, especially before they get too old to pass on to others.

#8 Eye primers
Chances are, you won’t make it through a full size tube of eye primer before needing to throw it out, especially in such a warm climate. If you find the product has started to separate in the tube and find that you are squeezing out a lot of clear fluid or that the colour and texture has changed, it’s time for it to go. It’s better to be safe than sorry with products that go near your eyes. 

#9 Makeup sponges
If you use a Beautyblender, you should be replacing it every three months (and making sure you wash it regularly). If you’ve got disposable sponges typically bought in bulk, those are one-and-done sponges that just aren’t worth reusing. 

Sensitive skin types or just anyone concerned with bacteria should be extra cautious about compact sponges. Play it safe by only using disposable sponges or brushes instead, or make sure the BB cushion you’re using has a sponge that doesn’t need to be washed often. Alternatively, we’ve got a handy guide on how to clean your BB cushion puff and save money.

#10 Dull razors
Good razors aren’t just hygienic, they also keep razor burn and ingrown hairs to a minimum. If you’ve got a razor that doesn’t remove all the hair on a single pass across your skin, it’s probably time to replace the cartridge. It’s also a good idea to make sure you’re leaving your razor out to dry after each use and not leaving it on a wet shelf in the shower.
 

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