I think most girls like me have only a handful of things in their dresser that they really use; the rest are really just junk. In fact, if we do spring cleaning every now and then with our clothes, it should be the same with our beauty products. Personally, I feel the less stuff I have, the more I can put my things to use. For example, while editing my beauty products, I found I had two old eye creams I had forgotten to use and they had already expired. In addition, some of my scents had already turned yellow and they weren’t even halfway finished. So I started editing the stuff in my dresser and threw out a couple of lipsticks that smelled pasty and eye shadows that had cracked.

It is important to make it a habit to check expiration dates and throw liquids or creams that have been opened for the last three to six months. Once the smell, color or texture changes, the product belongs in the trash can, not on your face.

Of course how you store the products is also important. In general, beauty products shouldn’t be under direct sunlight. They should be kept in room temperature; the cooler, the better.

Here is a guide on the shelf life of our fave beauty products:

Concealer—up to 12 twelve months

Powder/eye shadow—two years

Pencils—may last up to three years, but should be sharpened regularly

Creams and gel cleansers—at least a year

Brushes—wash every two months with brush cleaner or mild detergent.

Sponges—discard monthly.

Foundations—for water-based ones, 12 months; for oil-based products, 18 months

Lipstick—one to two years

Mascara—discard after four months.

Replacements

Once you’ve thrown all the old stuff or those which you haven’t used for more than six months, you also realize some stuff must be replaced. I want to introduce you to new products, which I am excited to purchase to replace old products that have run out or those which I have thrown out.

I’m a big fan of unisex scents. In fact I’ve written about them numerous times. Yesterday I got another bottle of Herbas De Ibiza, one of my faves. I love verbena, and to me this scent has the right mix of citrus verbena thyme, lavender, sage and jasmine. It is a natural subtle scent that is perfect for everyday use. If you are in search of a light fresh fragrance, this you have to try.

What’s more, if you want the scent to last longer on your skin, you can now get the Herbas de Ibiza moisturizing body balm. I shared this scent with my husband and, luckily, he is not into layering, or I would have hidden the lotion from him! I think I’m addicted. (It is available at Rustan’s.)

Due to my cleaning, I noticed I needed a new pink blush. The next one I will be getting is Estee Lauder in Pink Tease. Aside from the color, I like that the compact has a wide mirror and a brush. I am sick of having to look for a blush brush every time I want to apply blush or reapply. I can’t wait to have that compact in my “kikay kit.”

There are only a couple of brands I trust when it comes to skincare, and one of them is Sisley. For those who want to try out a new makeup remover, Sisley’s Lyslait Demaquillant au Lys Blanc Cleansing Milk with White Lily is worth a try.

What I really like about this product is it doesn’t make my skin feel tight. Actually, my friend with dry skin was raving about it. Finding the right makeup remover for your face can be tricky; I also believe in switching or alternating products ones in a while. This is worth a shot.

My newest purchase that I’m enjoying is MAC’s newest eye shadow in Shop & Drop. Since I feel I had to update my eye shadow look since I’ve been stuck in a matte brown phase for quite some time now, this eye shadow quadrant gives my very natural ’do a fresh fun boost. The colors are still not too out there, but I find them to be sophisticated and hip at the same time.