Spring has officially sprung and nothing says spring quite like the positive power of spring cleaning. But we aren't just referring to freshening up your home. We are talking about spring cleaning your beauty routine and changes you can make to prepare for the warmer months ahead so your skin is spring AND summer ready!
In this article we share 5 ways you can spring clean your beauty routine to make this your best summer ever!
H2O on the Go
It goes without saying that you should be aiming to drink at least 2 litres of water a day. So as the weather heats up it is important to make sure you are meeting your daily water intake requirements to keep your body and skin hydrated and healthy. Beauty starts from within and not only will this do wonders for your skin, keeping it glowing and radiant, but it will also help to improve its elasticity.
However, it is also important not to drink too much water as this can have a reverse effect and disrupt your bodies electrolytes balance.
We love the range of Frank Green ceramic reusable drink bottles which make it easy to take H2O on the go!
Adjust Your Skincare Routine
Just as the seasons change so does our skin so we need to ensure we are adjusting our routine to provide our skin with the care, nourishment and protection it needs. As we head into Spring the weather is warming up which means our body starts to sweat more and increase its oil production, unlike in winter where we might experience dry and dehydrated skin after spending months wrapped up indoors in front of the heater.
A new season calls for a clean slate so start by incorporating a gentle exfoliator into your skincare routine to help remove any dead skin and keep your skin soft and smooth.
While you may have been reaching for super rich face creams in winter it is time to opt for lighter formulas in spring that condition the skin without weighing it down. We love the Ere Perez Moringa All Beauty Creme which is a lightweight moisturiser enriched with moringa, apricot kernel and prickly pear that will leave your skin plump and glowing with a natural radiance. For extra hydration you can also add the DILLON Hyperion Barrier Support Antioxidant Oil to your routine which is a nutrient-rich and fast-absorbing formula that fortifies the skin against environmental stressors, banishes free radicals, enhances elasticity and deeply nourishes the skin.
We hope you have been wearing sunscreen all year round but if you haven't now is definitely the time to start so you can protect your skin from the suns harsh UVA and UVB rays and minimise the risk of skin cancer and melanoma. We reach for The Kind Sunscreen Natural Mineral Zinc Sunscreen to keep our skin protected.
Out With The Old
When was the last time you checked the expiry dates on your favourite skincare and makeup products? Did you know that beauty products expire? Well consider this your reminder to check and thoughtfully dispose of anything that is out of date.
To determine if a product is out of date check the back of the packaging for a little jar icon with a number inside. This number indicates how many months or years of shelf life a product has left once it has been opened.
Are you currently cringing knowing that you have probably never considered this and are applying old products to your skin? Don't worry we are going to help you clean house.
For some products, such as powder blushes and bronzers, you can push the boundaries and live on the edge of that expiration date. But for cream and liquid products it is important to replace them so you are protecting your skin from bacteria, irritation and infection. This is particularly important when using natural skincare products as they often don't contain parabens and preservatives that enable conventional skincare products to last longer.
Here is a makeup and skincare expiration date guide for your to reference but always be sure to check the back of the product and adhere to the brands recommended shelf life after opening:
- 3 Months - Mascara, Liquid Eyeliner
- 6 Months - Natural Skincare
- 12 Months - Foundation, Concealer, Cream Blushes, Cream Products, Eyeshadow, Nail Polish, Eye Cream
- 18 Months - Lipstick, Lip Liners, Lip Gloss
- 24 Months - Powder Blush, Powder Bronzer, Setting Powder, Eyeliner Pencil, Face Cream, Body Lotion, Body Wash
Now you may be wondering, why does mascara and liquid eyeliner expire so quickly and have such a short shelf life? Well these products are generally liquid based and make close contact with the eye area, meaning it can be a breeding ground for bacteria. If you haven't kept track of when you opened your mascara a few signs that it might be out of date include changes in smell, colour, consistency and performance.
An easy way to keep on top of product expiration dates is to write the month and year on a small sticker or piece of tape and stick to the product when you first open it. That way you know how long you have had it open and when it is time to say goodbye.
You can also take your makeup spring clean one step further and Marie Kondo your beauty collection. If your products are no longer sparking joy then it's time to replace them with cruelty free products that do. This is the perfect time to switch to cruelty free beauty and replenish your makeup and skincare with alternatives that are kinder to all creatures and the planet. We have a selection of Vegan and Cruelty Free beauty products that we know you will love!
Tool Time
Be honest, when was the last time you cleaned your makeup sponges and brushes? An artist is only as good as their tools so it is important to keep your beauty tools clean and sanitised so they work at peak performance and stay free of harmful bacteria that can cause skin irritation or infection.
We recommend cleaning your makeup brushes and makeup sponges at least once a week. You can purchase a makeup brush cleaner or you can use your shampoo (uncoloured and unscented) to wash them.
To wash your makeup brushes, add a coin sized amount of cleaner or shampoo into the palm of your hand, add a splash of water and swirl your brush around in circles until you see the makeup start to come out. Hold the makeup bristles under running water and rinse until the water runs clear. Don't hold the whole brush head under the water or it can get into the ferrule (the silver metal bracket that holds the bristles to the brush handle) and loosen the glue. This may cause bristles to start falling out or worse, the whole brush head my come loose.
To clean your makeup sponges add some brush cleaner or soap to a bowl of warm water and submerge. Once the water turns brown from the foundation and cream makeup, remove the sponges and hold under warm water and squeeze until the excess comes out and the water runs clear. Leave out to thoroughly dry and once dry your sponge is ready for your next makeup application.
Step Into Spring 2023 Makeup Trends
To truly embrace this new season of Spring consider switching up your makeup look. Less is more and natural skin is in so think fresh faced and a glowing and radiant complexion. We love mixing the Sunset Daze Liquid Rays Bronzing Pigment Drops into our sunscreen, moisturiser and foundation to create beautiful sun-kissed skin. But if you like a bit of extra coverage to disguise sun spots, blemishes and pigmentation the Ere Perez Lychee Creme Correctors are a must! They are super creamy and melt into the skin while providing enough coverage to conceal any problem areas.
Now is also the time to add those pretty pink and peach shades to your makeup routine which you can apply as a gloss or perhaps as a cream blush to the cheeks for a subtle pop of colour. The Ere Perez Carrot Colour Pots are our go-to for adding colour to the lips, cheeks and eyes. The beauty of these precious pots is that you can apply them as a sheer wash of colour or build them up to intensify your look. This season we will be reaching for the shade 'Humble' a dolly pink and 'Hello' a pretty poppy red.
So now that we have equipped you with these 5 easy steps you can embrace this new season with a spring in your step (did you see what we did there?!) and a fresh beauty routine. Did you learn something new in this article? Let us know in the comments below or share your favourite spring cleaning tip.