Lockdown means more time on our hands at home and what better use of that time than to complete your beauty chores checklist! Now, as a mega fan of Marie Kondo, chores are never a dirty word rather they ‘spark joy’ and on a more serious note, are of important health concern. So set aside some time to get cosy with your beauty, health and medicine cabinet and make like it’s Spring for your best clean yet.
Expiry Date Check
Perhaps one of THE most important beauty chores you can do right now (and ideally every month) is check expiry dates. You’ll find them on all medications and some health and beauty products – namely those containing SPF and key active ingredients. While not all beauty and makeup products will have an expiry date, most will have a PAO (or “Period After Opening”) symbol, which states the number of months a product is safe to use after it has been unsealed. OK so we don’t all remember exactly when we purchased every item so if you’re stretching best to throw it out, and personally I change my sunscreen each Summer season (if its even lasted that long!)
- Check out this cosmetic product expiry guide
Beauty Tool Cleaning
Maybe you clean after every use or maybe you don’t, but when was the last time you gave those makeup brushes, beauty blenders and skincare sponges a proper clean? COVID-19 has made us all very aware of cleaning and these items can build up oil, skin cell debris and bacteria (eek!) causing acne and dermatitis. Ideally you’re cleaning between uses or once a week so there’s no excuse in isolation. There are lots of beauty cleaners on the market but all you really need is some shampoo, seriously.
- Take a look at this handy guide.
Skin Routine Tidy
Now to my favourite of all the beauty chores! Set about stocktaking your collection of skincare – this also includes samples. Mine takes up a decent amount of space in my kitchen (yes, the Carrie Bradshaw of beauty) with everything stored by product type. Also have a look at your day-to-day products already in use: are you using all of them or have some fallen out of favour? I keep my morning routine and specialist products such as jar masks and direct acids in the bathroom, sheet masks in the fridge and evening routine products on a beautiful tray in my bedroom.
Alas, I do not have a dressing table, what would my Grandmothers have thought of this!
Beauty Chores: The Final Word
If there are products or samples that have not been used and of course not expired, please consider donating them to the wonderful people at Every Little Bit Helps who will distribute to those in need including the homeless, asylum seekers and victims of domestic violence.
