Makeup Addict's News

January 26, 2008

In this issue:

NEW additional item prices!!! SAVE when you buy MORE!! See our NEW Shipping Policies
Do you know when to throw out your makeup and skincare?
How to receive CASH back for shopping in our Boutique.
Sales and promotions: 15% OFF EVERYTHING in our store!
RSS Feeds ~ know to the minute when Bela's Boutique lists a brand new item!

What’s in YOUR makeup bag?
We all have those “can’t live without” items in our makeup bags. Our own special tricks that make us look our most glamorous selves! I have my “at home” bag which is no longer a BAG but a huge CASE that is full of all of my favorite brands! But what couldn’t I live without? I will TRY to keep the list short!!!

Tarte Cheek Stains: I love these!! Besides the fact that they are so cute, I have five different colors, just enough to match any mood that I happen to be in when I am putting on my face!! Check them out in the Boutique ~ Tarte Cheek Stains

Too Faced Eye Shadows: Ok, I have every one of these eye shadow singles and duos that have ever passed thru my store! These normally retail for $17 each but I sell them for so much less! If you are looking for a great shadow that doesn’t crease and has some staying power then look no further!! Plus they have really cool names too!! ~ Too Faced Eyeshadows

Lip Gloss Galore!! I used to really be into lipstick but not so much any more. With all the great glosses they make now with color you can have the lipstick affect in color with that glossy shine!! Sounds perfect to me!! I am not loyal to one brand when it comes to gloss!! I love them all!!! Bobbi Brown Lip Shine , Too Faced Juicy Jewels or Gossip Gloss, Dior Kiss, Lancome Juicy Tubes, and Laura Mercier just to name a few that I just saw when I opened my desk drawer (another place I keep lots of gloss!) I like glosses that smell yummy, not perfumy or like a chemical which is what I find many of the drug store brands smell like (unless you are getting a teen gloss).

MOST Can NOT live without item: MAKEUP BRUSHES! I think of these as an INVESTMENT in beauty. These are about the only thing in your bag that can be in there for a long, long time if you take good care of them! This is an item that you really want to get a good set of. Cheap ones feel like just that…CHEAP. My makeup bag is filled with many different brands of brushes. These are all brushes that are made out of real hair verses synthetic fibers that the cheaper brushes are made out of. I think that the feel is definitely a personal choice. This is why I have so many in different brands. I like the way they feel and they apply the makeup.

If it brings back memories of your prom...then TOSS IT!
What is the shelf life of your makeup and skincare??

Most people have no idea how long is ok to keep cosmetics. I know the last time that I cleaned out my makeup bag I had things in there that I hadn’t used in years and that were so old that the labels had fallen off and the clear part of the compacts were no longer see thru!! Oh YUCK!!!

I think we just forget about it and think how can it go bad? Well eventually everything does although it takes longer for some than others!!!

Are you digging down into old lipstick tubes trying to get the last speck of lipstick out because they no longer have that shade?? Truth of the matter is that it can be dangerous to keep items like that in your bag. When the items are originally packaged they are made with preservatives that will help to keep the items fresh but after constant wear they can contain bacteria that could cause infections. Think about it. Most of us will go to work when we are sick, still applying that makeup and then using the same makeup a week later when we are no longer sick. We put our makeup thru a work out!!!

So how do you decide when it is time to throw out your cosmetics?? The first thing you should check is the smell. When you open it up does it have a funky smell that no respecting makeup item would have?? If yes then throw it out!! It is amazing how many women will keep things that don’t smell right in their makeup bag because the color has been discontinued or they no longer make that item!!!

Next, if you can’t REMEMBER when you bought it, then it is probably a good idea to get rid of it. Now I realize that you aren’t going to remember specific dates when you purchased a cosmetic item but if when you are digging thru your bag and that lovely shade of pool chalk blue eye shadow brings you on a trip down memory lane back to the time of your prom….well then its probably time to throw that baby out!


Here is a list of approximate shelf lives of some of your more common cosmetics.


EYES

Mascara: should be replaced every three months.
Liquid Eyeliner: should be replaced every three months.
Powder Eye Shadow: 2 years
Cream Eye Shadow: 12-18 months
Eyeliner: 2 years

TIP
Never share any kind of makeup but especially eye makeup. Use disposable sponges or brushes that can be cleaned with mild soap and warm water to keep them clean and fresh.

FACE

Foundation: 1 year
Concealer: 12-18 months
Face Powder: 2 years
Cream or compact foundation: 18 months

TIP

Apply foundations and concealers with sponges or brushes to avoid contamination. Make sure to clean brushes and change sponges.

CHEEKS

Blush: 2 years
Bronzer: 2 years
Cream Blush: 12-18 months

LIPS

Lipstick: 2 years
Lip Gloss: 12-24 months
Lip Liner: 2 years

TIP

Store lipsticks at room temperature to prevent rancidity.(Beading does not indicate rancidity, this indicates oils escaping from the formula).

NAILS

Nail Polish: 1 year


SKINCARE

Moisturizer: 12-18 months ~ keep the lid on tight. Always apply with clean hands and if the product begins to separate, have a strange odor or begins to liquefy, toss it!

Toner: 12-18 months ~ If it has a strange odor or looks cloudy, then throw it out!
Cleanser: 12-18 months ~ choose pumps or tubes. These will help with contamination.

Exfoliants: 12-18 months If used in the shower keep the cap closed tightly to prevent water from entering.

Eye Cream: 12-18 months. Look for tubes instead of jars to prevent contamination. Again, if it has a strange odor or color, toss it

Lip Balm: 2 years. TIP: NEVER leave lip balm in the car. When it is exposed to heat for long periods of time it can go rancid!

With skincare use your common sense. Most times when they are going bad they will begin to smell funny or change colors.


Be one of the FIRST to see NEWLY listed items:
RSS FEEDS revealed!

Did you know that you can be alerted IMEDIATELY when we list a new item??

Would you like the convenience of shopping right from your desk top without opening your browser?

This is what RSS Feeds can do for you!!! It will give you up to the minute alert of when we list a new item. You will be able to see the picture, open the listing, add it to your watch list and more!

Many people (Including myself…I just learned about them a couple of weeks ago!) have no idea that RSS Feeds even exist! But it is an incredible tool that saves you the search for your favorite seller and it saves you from having to search out new items. It does it for you!

How can you get this great tool? Well it is sooooo very easy!! Click on the little orange RSS tag on the bottom of the store's main page and it will tell you exactly what to do!

Sales & Promotions:
15% OFF EVERYTHING in the store from January 26, 2008 until February 10,2008

We love to run sales because we love to save you money!!! So for the next couple of weeks we have taken 15% OFF EVERYTHING in the store!! (except for auctions) So it’s a great time to stock up on your favorite items or to try out a new one!!

How about CASH back on your purchases?
We now have a cash back rewards program that you can opt into when you make a purchase from us! There isn’t much you need to do but follow the instructions when you pay with PayPal! You will receive a 2% cash back reward on your 1st purchase and then up to 4% back on all repeat purchases!! So we not only give you WAY below retail prices, HOT SALES but now you can get cash back too!!



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