How long should you keep your products?

I get this question all the time. A few basic rules I follow: if it smells funny, toss it! and if I never use it, toss it! However, I know there are "beauty standards" we should follow, so here goes.

• Foundation: toss after 6 months if you haven't used it all up already. It can collect germs and separate - not good for your face.
• Concealer: it gets yucky after 6-8 months.
• Powder (eyeshadow, blush, pressed powder): it's still pretty good for up to 2 years. Cream shadows/blush can get dry and crack, toss them once that starts to happen.
• Mascara: well I can't live w/o this so mine is gone in less then 3 months - but that's the rule. Toss after 3 months because it gets bacteria, especially if you're addicted to pumping it. Take care of your pretty eyes!
• Lip gloss/Lipstick: about one year. Do a smell check.
• Eye/Lip Pencil: if you're sharpening them every time, they last longer and are less prone to bacteria (up to one year). For the others, do a smell check within the year.
• Facial Toners/Cleansers/Moisturizers: 6 months to one year.
• Nail Polish: they separate pretty easily and get unmanageable, so 2 years is really the most.
• Brushes: bacteria can grow in brushes so wash them every 4-6 months in a mild shampoo. If you take care of them, your brushes can last a long time.

Nowadays, many products have a symbol (a jar w/open lid and number in months) on them that tells you their preferred shelf life. More or less, stick to it). Also, many products are now combined with Retinol, Sunscreens and other Anti-wrinkle potions, be mindful to keep these products in a cool place because heat/sun affects the effectiveness of the product as well as it's shelf life.

If you're like me, I bet you have a drawer full of makeup goodies you have collected and swear you're gonna use 'em someday (like those jeans that are two sizes smaller) - but on those boring days of life, I just love to play in my makeup drawer, rediscover products and either save or toss. What is possibly funner then realizing it's time to buy myself something new and fabulous?!! Try it and enjoy!!

What I plan to do for you

I plan to make the experience of beauty fun, sensual and easy. I have so many ideas like, sharing my favorite products and why, how to make the most of what you have in your makeup bag, what products you should not live without and I'm going to post articles that you can easily read and take with you to the store!

I'm going to share links to my favorite beautifying people, like photographers and Life Coaches. Post videos with techniques and testimonials. Share books to read and yummy foods to eat so that your skin and your soul glow.

Being beautiful is a journey. It changes with every season of your life. It takes encouragement to embrace that idea because, men and women alike, all we want is to stay young and beautiful. And the truth is, you can. I promise.

I'm finally Blogging!

As my mother-in-law says "If enough people call you a horse, it's time to buy a saddle". Well, for me it's been "Theresa do you blog?", "T' do you write articles?", "video?", "how to's", "do you have a favorite beauty book?"... I surrender. Here they are!

I love makeup. I absolutely love helping women become a more beautiful and confident version of themselves with makeup. The beauty of makeup is that it's temporary. You can be beautiful with a tinted moisturizer and lip gloss to go to the gym or you can become this glamorous vixen for a hot date. Makeup covers a multitude of flaws and it's easy. I promise.

Let me, help you, become a more beautiful version of yourself with ease.