Keeping a journal about our beauty products isn’t something we think about doing. Not for skin care or makeup. I have certainly never done so but in review it seems to be a good idea. No more buying something that gives you a rash … you’d forgotten about that hadn’t you?!

What do you Journal about?

Certainly foundation, powders, concealer, bronzer and anything else that creates a layer of lustrousness on your skin or enhances your natural beauty. This is another article I wrote some time ago talking abuot binning expired products and some of the things that can happen …

It really becomes a case of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and how wonderful to actually know what works and what doesn’t work for you … it’s in your journal!

Best brands

You’re conducting your own market research here and hopefully you can do it on a shoestring. By adding your results to your journal, you create a crystal clear picture of your makeup needs.

Your investment is the purchase of some of the tiny little makeup pots you can buy in Dollar stores or Poundland.

Take your little pot/s to a large makeup outlet and have the salesgirl put a little of what you fancy into a pot! There are few (if any) stores that will say no. Although it’s a little different now with the pandemic.

Alternatively, nearly every store will provide you with samples in their own pots. They may ask you to bring them back but that’s OK! My bathroom is littered with little pots from people like Space NK who stock so many different types of products … wonderful!

Reactions?

No reaction is what you’re looking for of course. But if you have a reaction, you haven’t spent half your mortgage payment on makeup or skin care you can’t use … and you won’t make that mistake again.

Yes, refunds are usually not a problem but if you don’t have to go through the process my advice is don’t … just use the little pot method of testing. Part of making life easier.

Younger and fresher look

The little pot method is wonderful for concealer, foundation, blush and anything liquid creamy, but not so good for powders. Those you have to experiment with in store and it doesn’t matter how many times you go to the counter looking. It’s about you and what you need and want and when you reach first-name basis, you know you will always get what you want!

Also, by trying the products you have the chance to see what gives you the edge in looking younger and feeling fresher. Which also applies to skin care.

Make note of the product, the maker, when and how you used it, how it looked, if there were any reactions and, more importantly, how it makes you feel … in your journal!

Eyes and Mouth

Mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow, are all things you can try at the counter in a store; if it takes time to find what you want, keep going until you do. Keep adding them to your journal so you know what you have tried and what not!

Lipstick? It’s important to find a lipstick that feels right. Use the testers … but not on your lips!

No no … find an area that is the same colour as your face (more or less) and, using a cotton bud, wipe on a small sample. We’re usually quite good at gauging what works colour-wise so you’re testing the feel. How smooth and creamy is it? I always feel creamy lips are a necessity; parched, dry lips don’t look great and don’t feel too good.

Quick tip on expired beauty products

Throw out anything too old. If you don’t know how old it is look for the symbol on the container of a half open jar which shows the expiry date … this is a well-kept secret. But now you know what to look for. This article is excellent for telling you what’s what, AND it contains of the average life of almost every type of makeup.

Most makeup will generally last for 2 years if it’s kept cold which is why a Journal is so handy! The shelf-life is different for different makeup types so check the chart in the article

If it has worn out its welcome, TRASH IT!

Using expired cosmetics often results in the product/s just not doing what it/they should do; If there are changes in appearance, smell and colour, or something becomes sticky or oily, it’s definitely time to let it go.

The worst case scenario is skin irritation. Anything from dermatitis to allergic reactions and even infection.

Of course, no conversation about old cosmetics is complete without mention of cleaning your brushes. Very important. Read all about it here!

If you’re not sure of a product’s future life-span or if you want to know if it’s cruelty free, or anything else, there is a symbol which clearly shows what’s happening … take a look here and see what’s recyclable, etc.

By keeping a journal in which you carefully add details of every little happening, you will save yourself time, money and heartache. You also have a go to spot for any information you need … you may find you have just mistakenly bought a concealer you have used before … with catastrophic results.

Does this seem like a good idea to you? Would you like to create and keep makeup information to save you time, energy and maybe even heartache?! Is it important to you to know which products you really should not use?

We are preparing a journal right now … it will be ready in a couple of weeks which is just time to give yourself a gift …