Image via ThatGirl.com
Look at this photo montage:
No, it’s not an episode of Hoarders. It’s what happened when I started to clear out my beauty cabinet this weekend. I had… a lot of products. And most of them I’d never even used.
Getting sent random beauty products has been part of my job on and off for the better part of eight years, and I was dismayed to discover that, even though I’ve moved interstate twice in that time, there were still some lippies lingering from when I was an intern in 2007.
One of them had even gone mouldy:
Yes. That can happen to lipsticks. In fact, all beauty products can go bad. While you won't always be able to tell, spoiled beauty products can lead to infections - which no one wants up on their face - so err on the side of caution.
I learned that over and over as I sorted through over 30 lipsticks, 70 nail polishes, 22 bottles of hair product, six soaps, four skincare gift packs and two dozen kinds of eye makeup over the course of several hours.
I know my cabinet is an extreme case, but from my Everest come lessons for anyone who needs to give their makeup cabinet a clear out. Which, given the results of this Escentual survey that showed women keep their makeup SIX YEARS longer than they should, is probably most of us.
7 things I learned from cleaning my beauty cupboard
While my bathroom isn’t sparkling-perfect just yet, it has never, ever been less cluttered than it is now. It may have taken hours, but knowing I have less rotten makeup, no nail polishes gathering dust, and so much more space sure makes me feel good.
Is there anything I've missed? Let me know!