Dubai: A top makeup consultant in Dubai has cautioned residents against hoarding and using skin care and beauty products well past their expiration.
From mascaras, eye-liners and eye shadows to primers, foundations, even simple moisturisers and creams, cosmetic products have a shelf life beyond which their use could be harmful for the body, Dubai-based Sanyukta Kumar of Blend by Sanky said.
Better known as Sanky, Kumar who is a UAE-licensed make-up consultant trained under celebrity artist Kimberley Bosso of Bosso Make-up Academy in Beverly Hills, said it is prudent to follow some general timelines with beauty products, especially where they do not carry specific expiry dates. “Mascaras need to be tossed out in three-six months from when they are opened, but how many of us do it? There is a tendency to continue using them even after they get clumpy. But this can damage our eyes which are very sensitive,” said Sanky.
Skin breakouts
She said primers, concealers and liquid foundations don’t last for more than six-12 months, after which they get spoilt and can cause skin breakouts or irritation. Among the most commonly abused products are lipsticks, she said, adding that they have a shelf life of two years after which they dry up and are unfit for use (See Cosmetics: Shelf life at a glance). “When it comes to cosmetics, women not only end up buying more than they need, but they also use more than they should,” said Sanky, who is also a personal shopper and leads a team of artists that do makeovers for fashion shows, weddings and other events. “The art of doing make-up lies not in transforming ourselves but bringing out what’s best in us. Every woman is beautiful with features that need to be highlighted.”
She stressed the importance of applying make-up in the right manner and proportion as excessive consumption exposes the body to harmful toxins. She also warned against poor hygiene and the practice of sharing makeup with others or employing overused blenders and brushes.
“Blenders should be replenished every six months or earlier if they start breaking. Keep your brushes clean by using cleaners or a mild baby shampoo. This is important as it can infect the eyes or face,” said Sanky, whose tutorials are in high demand - the cost of a basic course is Dh300 and makeover Dh400. “Greater awareness about makeovers need to be raised to avoid common mistakes,” she added.
Sanky’s tips to apply makeup and avoid common mistakes:
Prep your face: Clean, tone, moisturise if required, use sunscreen and primer
Do the eyes before you go the face to avoid fallout: Begin with the eye shadow primer, use a neutral shadow, a transition shade and blend with a darker shadow on the outer corner, and lighter shadow on the mobile lid. Follow this up with the eyeliner and kohl.
Back to the face: Apply foundation by choosing a shade that matches your neck, not face and work upwards. Apply concealer and set it with loose translucent powder. At a more advanced level, move to your eyes can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A compact or a thicker powder actually dries up the delicate area under the eyes causing lines to appear more visible.
If you have dry skin, exfoliate with a gentle face scrub twice a week.
Move to the eyes again: use the khol pencil, smoke out the lower line; then apply mascara, highlighter and work the eyebrows.
The last step involves outlining the lips and applying lipstick and gloss. As you grow older, avoid dark shades as lips tend to become thinner with age.
Do not use makeup wipes to remove makeup on a daily basis. These wipes can help in only wiping away mistakes or extra oil build-up. The best way to clean your eyes and face is to use cotton pads soaked in waterproof make-up remover and follow it up with alcohol-free toners to remove traces.
Invest in the right brushes and keep them clean. This is important to prevent infection.
Cosmetics shelf life at a glance:
Mascara, eyeliner: Three-six months Eyeshadow: Two years Eyepencil: Six months Eye primer: Six months-one year Toner, moisturiser, cream: Six months-one year Sunscreen: Six months-one year Primer, concealer, liquid foundation: Six months-one year Blush: One-two years Nail polish: Two years Lipstick, lip gloss, lip pencil: Two years Makeup remover: One year
Source: https://www.facebook.com/BlendbySanky/
