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Health & Fitness

Challenge #12- Makeup

Guys get a day "off" today as we girls tackle our stores of make-up.

Guys get a day “off” today as we girls tackle our stores of makeup.

Let’s recall the process we are using throughout the month:

THE PROCESS

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  • Gather your supplies:
    • Boxes or bags labeled with:
      • “Donate”
      • “Elsewhere”
      • “Store”
    • Trash can/recycle bin
    • Damp rag/wet wipe
  • Empty challenge area for the day. And by empty, I mean EMPTY.
  • Once the area is empty, wipe it clean with a damp rag.
  • Now sort the items into these categories: (The Seana Method’s R.E.D.D.S. system)
    • R- “Restore”: items to go back in
    • E- “Elsewhere: items to keep, but which don’t belong in this space
    • D- “Donate”
    • D- “Dispose”: trash or recycle
    • S- “Store”: items to keep for sentimental reasons, or perhaps for a long-term future use, but which are not regularly used. (These items will eventually need to go into a bin/box in an attic, basement, or closet.)
  • As you are sorting, put items into the boxes/bags you prepared.
  • Once you are finished sorting, put the “Restore” items back into your designated area.
  • Carry the “Elsewhere” box/bag around your house and redistribute its contents.
  • Move the “Donate” box/bag to the car to be donated.
  • Trash/recycle the “Dispose” items
  • Put the "Store" box aside for now. When the month is over, these items will be packaged for long-term storage.

 

THE TASK

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Buying makeup is fun. Getting “free” makeup is even more fun. But for most, culling through a pile of makeup just isn’t very inviting. However, old makeup is not only a source of clutter, it can also be a source of bacteria, so we need to do this at least once a year.

Start by dumping out your makeup – and don’t forget to look in your handbag. Do a “quick sort” to pitch everything you either have never used (and never will), or is almost gone. If you are almost out of a product you love, keep it, but schedule on your “to do” list to restock.

Now take what is left and group it by “like items”… lipsticks/glosses, eye shadows, foundation, eye liners, brushes, blush, etc. This will help you to see where you have accumulated too many of one kind of product. Try and limit yourself to 3 or fewer of each type. 

Now look at any items for which you have a matching sponge. Wash these thoroughly with soap and hot water as they are a major source of bacteria. A safe rule of thumb here is to wash weekly. For disposable sponges, be sure to throw out after a month, even if you are washing them. Brushes also should be washed in hot with a mild detergent.

Another product which can cause trouble is old mascara. This should definitely not be kept more than 4 months. In addition, it is good to aware that pumping the wand in and out of the container exposes the product to more bacteria, which makes it deteriorate faster.

Other makeup items can generally be kept for a year or more, but piling up partially used makeup containers is a nasty habit. Keep just enough product for variety, but not so much that you lose track.

When you are ready to reload, be sure to wipe out the space (or makeup bag in your purse) and then reload. Consider using small boxes to hold similar items (if you have a narrow drawer, plastic cookie containers (see image) can be a cheap alternative!) Another great alternative is a drawer insert for a desk drawer or for silverware, or a tabletop sorter designed to hold makeup.

Don’t feel guilty about pitching old makeup as it probably is not good anymore and could lead to some unpleasant side effects. Best of luck and we’ll see you tomorrow!

Submitted by Seana Turner, founder and President of The Seana Method

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