Spring Clean Your Beauty & Skin-Care Products

While you are sorting through your wardrobe for the warmer weather, take the time to evaluate your makeup and skin-care products. Just as deeper shades are appropriate for Autumn and Winter, it makes sense to lighten up when the temperatures raise. It's also the perfect time to determine whether that mascara is past its prime. Your makeup and brushes can have bacteria build up on them over time. Here's a guide to determine when it's time to replace them:

EYESHADOW and LINER
Items that are not water-based tend to have a longer shelf life, up to 2 years. Liquid liners should be tossed about every 3 months and cream eyeshadows should be replaced every 6 months.

MASCARA
This should be replaced the most often, as it is applied so closely to your eyes. After 3-4 months, it's time to say good-bye, especially if the formula becomes drier.

FOUNDATION
Consider changing your base every 6 months. In summer, you tend to get more color in your skin and don't want to appear chalky by a base that is now too light. A water-based foundation should last you up to 12 months; oil-based will last about 18 months. Powders should stay fresh up to 2 years.

SKIN CARE
Don't expose your skin care products to extreme hot and cold (think gym bags/trunk of car). This may damage the ingredients and reduce the effectiveness of your products. If these products are used regularly, they should be replaced just by general use.

SUNSCREEN
Respect the expiration date on the packaging. And, please use it!

LIPSTICK
Tackle your stash at least every 6 months. Weed out the lipstick you've had since 10th grade and update to a fresh color. Lipsticks should perform well up to 2 years, but it's always best to keep your look updated.

LIPGLOSS
If it smells different from when you bought it, toss it. This is a good rule of thumb for every product, regardless of how long you've owned it.

LOTION
Lotions that come in a tube or pump may last longer, due to the fact that they are exposed to less air. Store them in a dry area at room temp. Body skin tends to be less sensitive than our face.

NAIL POLISH
If it's goopy or stringy, toss it. Most will last up to 2 years if you replace the cap firmly after use.

BRUSHES
Keep them clean and they can be used until they wear out.
> use a mild liquid cleanser (baby shampoo is a good choice)
> pour it into your hand with some water and swirl the bristles in your palm until clean
> rinse well & gently squeeze excess water from bristles
> air dry

Once you've done your product purge, it's time to replace what you need. See my next blog for a shopping list.

Put Your Best Foot Forward - The Perfect Pedicure

With summer just around the corner, it's time to get those tootsies sandal-worthy. Here are a few tips for the perfect AVON pedicure:

1. SOAK YOUR FEET
-Restorative Milky Foot Soak with Epsom Salt
-Lavender Comfort Foot Soak

2. SHAPE NAILS
-Nail Buffer and Shaper system for just $7.99 (through 5/17/10)

3. USE A SOFTENER
-Lavender Foot Pumice
-Thermal Exfoliating Scrub
-Intensive Callous Cream
-Exfoliating Bar Soap
-Dual-Action Pedi Peel

4. TAKE CARE OF CUTICLES
-Instant Gel Cuticle Remover (follow with an orangewood stick - gently push skin away from nails on all sides)

5. EXTRA PAMPERING
-Paraffin Moisture Treatment Mask
-Therapeutic Cracked Heel Relief Cream
-Clay Mask

6. MOISTURIZE
-Hydrating Foot Serum with Vitamin E and Aloe
-Deep Moisture Cream

7. PAINT JOB
-Smooth Beginnings Base Coat
-Nailwear Pro Nail Enamel

8. MAINTENANCE
-Overnight Treatment Cream
-Overnight Renewing Foot Cream
-All Day Deodorant Foot Cream
-Antifungal Foot Spray
-Odor Neutralizing Foot Spray