Make Up Kit Essentials: Building a Fabulous Make Up Kit

This will be the beginning of another series of blogs. This series consist of items you need to build a great make up kit. I will begin with the very basics; cleaning out your current kit. From there I will continue with a few items that are an excellent starting point for every woman. Each post in the series will be an addition to the basic kit until a collection has been created. I will also include tips for building an on-the-go make up kit (super compact items that you can carry with you at all times), a touch up kit (items you will likely need for touch ups that you can tuck almost anywhere *club nights out ladies, you know what I'm talking about... down the side of your bra- we have all been there). Also, I will make a post on how to pack your make up kit when going on vacation (if you choose not to take a vacation from wearing make up as well- but do you really need mascara on the beach or ski slopes?)

Allow me to start at the beginning. It is likely that most women already have a make up kit (or drawer full of make up that they have no idea what to do with). My suggestion is to go through every piece of make up you have and have a garbage bin near by. Go through and ask yourself the following questions:

1. When did I buy this? 
2. Why did I buy this? 
3. How do I use this? 
4. How often do I use this? 
5. How long have a had this? 
6. Would I buy this product again? 
7. Do I need this? 

When did I buy this?

Make up has an expire date. Mascara for example should not be used after 6 months of opening it. When you pull the wand out and push it back in, air gets into the tube and bacteria can begin to be grow. To help your mascara stay as 'fresh' as possible avoid "pumping" the wand before applying (instead use multiple coats on the lashes, building the mascara to desired look. Apply coats just before the mascara has completely dried to avoid breaking the lashes). Cream based products should be tossed after about a year and liquid products should be tossed if they begin to obviously separate. *Tip: I know this sounds odd but smell your make up when you purchase it, you will know it is time to get rid of it when the smell changes (a chemical smell).

Why did I buy this?

Was it suggested by the employee at the make up counter? Is it a friends favourite product? Was it from a product break down that your favourite celebrity was wearing in a magazine? Was the packaging pretty? (Pretty packages get me every time!) Is it one of you personal favourites that you buy all the time? Do you even remember? Look at the answer to this and if it is not that you like/use the product often chances are it's time to let it go (if the answer is that it is a friend's fav, offer it to them!)

How do I use this?

Quite simply if you do not know the answer you have two options: 1) Learn how to use it by asking someone (karleigh.johnstone@gmail.com I love to answer questions!) or 2) Throw it/give it away. *If you have had the product longer than a month chances are you should go for option two, as you have had the product long enough to know you clearly aren't going to take the time to learn to use it.

How long have I had this?

This is similar to asking yourself when did I buy this, but instead of thinking about whether your product needs to be tossed, think should it be tossed. For example going through my personal kit I found a bright blue eye shadow that I used to wear for dance recitals in the mid 90s. Am I ever going to wear this again? The answer is NO (unless I am going to and 80s themed party, but that is not very likely). Therefore it was gone. When going through your kit it is important to be unemotional. DO NOT BE A MAKE UP HOARDER! If you don't use a product, you don't need it.

Would I buy this product again?

Simple, if the answer is no, it's gone.

Do I need this?

The answer to all the other questions will help decide the answer to this question.

Now that you have an understanding of how to clean out your current kit, go and do it! Use the same rule with make up as for clothing- one in one out. Get rid of one item to make room for a new item. Also remember, I am not telling you if you don't use a product everyday you don't need it, I have eye shadows that I only use when I apply a smokey eye, which I only apply once every two months or so; I'm talking about items you really do not use. These are the items that get lost in the back of the drawer, bottom of your bag and make you say "oh! I remember this!" If you have forgotten that you have it there should be no problem kicking it to the curb (quite literally on garbage day).

Now go make room in you make up drawer, next it will be time to shop!

Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).