Blush is such a simple and timeless product. Women have been using it for centuries to add a bit of color to their cheeks, and to emphasize their bone structure. Shine’s blush comes in three different shades, and offers a simple way to give yourself a natural, radiant glow. But there’s more to blush than meets the eye. Keep reading to learn about some of the features and benefits of our blush product, as well as get some tips on applying your blush properly. (Spoiler alert: It’s more complicated than you think!)

Features and Benefits

Shine carries three shades of blush:

• Enough: A creamy color with beige undertones
• Invincible: A peach-toned blush
• Nurture: A rich a lovely pink

All of our shades are lightweight and offer sheer coverage with natural-looking color. The buildable color of the blush allows you to add as little or as much as you desire to achieve the right look for your style, skin tone, and face shape. And, the long-lasting color will give you that rosy-cheeked look all day long.

Tips for Use

There’s a general way of applying blush that works well for pretty much everyone: Using a blush brush, blend the color onto the apples of the cheeks, moving upwards and outwards towards your hairline. However, if you want to up your blush game, you should apply your blush differently depending on your face shape:

• Round: Apply only to the apples of the cheeks.
• Heart: Apply to the cheeks, and blend the color upwards and out to the corner of the eye, into the hairline.
• Oblong: Apply to the apples of the cheeks, with separate dash of color at the temples.
• Square: Apply in a triangular shape. Follow your natural smile line for the base of your triangle. Apply all over the apples of the cheek, to the edge of your cheekbone.
• Oval: Apply to the apples of the cheeks, and blend up and out towards the hairline just above your ear, and add another touch of blush at the temples.

The shade of blush you use should be based on your skin tone. Here are a few suggestions to follow to ensure you’re getting the right look:

• Pale: Use just a single shade of Nurture for a rosy look.
• Fair: Use a small amount of Invincible.
• Medium: Try a touch more Nurture, to a watermelon-like hue.
• Tan: Add a bit of Enough to your cheeks for added color.
• Dark: Try a few layers of Invincible on your cheeks.

Of course, these tips are just a guide. Experiment with the blush’s buildable color to find the right look for you. And don’t be afraid to try out a little contouring with your blush as well. Find the look that works best for your unique and beautiful face!

Lipstick has been a part of women’s makeup routines for centuries. While popular colors, cosmetic formulas, and we’ve even started using other types of lip color, such as lip stain, our love for lipstick has not changed. But if you think you could use a little advice on improving your lipstick application, and some tips on picking the right color for your skin tone and style, then keep reading.

Features and Benefits

Shine’s lipstick comes in six different shades to match a variety of skin types and color preferences. The rich and creamy formula goes on smoothly in a single swipe, and hydrates your lips all day long. Plus, the highly-pigmented, vibrant colors last all day. If you’ve ever had lipstick that left an uncomfortable, sticky feeling on your lips, you don’t have to worry about that with Shine’s lipstick. It provides a soft and comfortable layer of color, so you hardly notice you’re wearing it! Our lipstick allows you to shine, without worrying about constant touch-ups.

Tips for Use

With easy, one-swipe application, there aren’t many tricks to putting on this lipstick. Simply apply a smooth, even layer over your lips after applying lip liner, and you’re on your way. But there are a few tricks you can use to improve the appearance of your lipstick. Give these a try:

• First off, it’s important you choose the right color for your skin tone as well as your personal preferences. If you’re not sure which lip shade is best for you, try out our Perfect Lip Color Quiz. It will help you choose the lipstick or lip stain that’s best for you.
• If you’re dressing up for a night out, choose whether you want a bold lip or dramatic eyes. Doing both can make you look over done. Choosing one allows you to add that perfect amount of pop to make an impression without overdoing it.
• Know how different colors impact the look of your lips. Darker tones can make your lips look thinner. So if you want to plump them up, go for a lighter shade with a touch of shimmery lip gloss.
• Consider using your lip liner as a base for your lipstick. It can provide an even undertone for your lip color as well as helping the lipstick last longer.
• If you have a lipstick color that you don’t love, don’t throw it out just yet. You can try pairing the lipstick with another lip color to create one that works better for you. For example, if your lipstick is too bright, you can apply a dark lip liner or stain to your lips first, then apply the lipstick. The brightness will be toned down just a bit, possibly making it the perfect shade!

Don’t be afraid to experiment with your lipstick. Try different colors. Pair it with different lip liners. Top it with a lip gloss to add some shimmer. Find a look that works for you that can really make you shine!

Who doesn’t want long, stunning eyelashes that are worthy of a red-carpet walk? There are endless products, treatments, serums, and “secrets” out there that promise to give you those lashes you dream of, but most of them don’t work, and some that do can actually damage your eyelashes.

Shine’s Fiber Mascara lengthens and volumizes your eyelashes for a beautiful look you just can’t achieve with basic mascara. Here’s what you need to know about this incredible product features and benefits, and how to properly apply Fiber Mascara for maximum lash impact.

Features and Benefits

Our Fiber Mascara uses a 3-step system that pumps up your lashes so you can bat them to your heart’s content. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Applies a base coat of mascara.

Step 2: Applies tiny fibers that adhere to your existing lashes, adding volume.

Step 3: Applies a top coat of mascara over the fibers, lengthening your lashes and finishing the look.

These 3 simple steps can be applied in one minute, and dries quickly so that you can be on your way without worrying about smudging. And you won’t have to worry about smudging the rest of the day either; our long-lasting formula is designed for all-day wear, so you can show off your stunning lashes from sunup to sundown.

Tips for Use

Fiber Mascara is simple and easy to apply. But here are a few tips you might want to follow in order to get the most from this product:

• Apply each step evenly from root tip, using a smooth, outward gliding motion.
• If you’re in a hurry, Step 1 of the Fiber Mascara system still works as a great mascara to define your lashes before you head out the door.
• Don’t pump the mascara wand. This is a habit many women have, but it actually forces air into the product, and makes it easier for bacteria to spread. Instead, pull the wand up towards the top of the tube, and gently twirl it to evenly distribute the product on the wand.
• Here’s a fun trick to keep from getting those accidental mascara smudges on your eyelid: Place a business card, credit card, or spoon over your eyelid, behind your lashes as you apply your mascara.
• Out of eyeliner? Pull out your mascara wand, and using an angled brush to pick up some mascara. Apply it to the edge of your eyelid as you would a liquid eyeliner! The creamy, smooth consistency of the Step 1&3 tube allow it to go on easily.
• When applying Step 2 of the system, you might notice some fibers shedding onto your face. Gently touch these with the application wand to pick them right back up again!

This simple and easy-to-apply system can give you thick, long lashes that last all day—and you can get those dream lashes in as little as a minute. It’s no wonder Fiber Mascara is one of Shine’s most popular products!

Many of us began playing with eyeshadow at a very young age, and our mothers still hold onto those blackmail-worthy photos of us with bright blue shadow all over our eyelids. But no matter how long you’ve been playing with this particular product, we find that there’s always a new trick or technique that you can learn. This is especially true with the ever-changing makeup trends that lead us from dramatic, smoky eyes to natural-looking, nearly-nude eyeshadow looks.

So here’s what we want you to know about our product, and a few tricks that can help you with using this timeless beauty staple.

Features and Benefits

Shine’s Eyeshadow Palettes are perfectly sized for travel, so they fit perfectly into any makeup bag. Another great benefit of this setup? You can apply this eyeshadow both wet and dry to achieve two totally different looks (more on that below). But the packaging method is far from the only awesome feature of our eyeshadow.

Our long-lasting formula is made for all-day wear, and it won’t smudge or crease. That’s right—no more dark, clumpy line of shadow in the middle of your eyelid halfway through the day. The blendable, buildable color and high pigmentation of our shadows give every shade a rich and vibrant color. 

Tips for Use

A quick search on the internet will provide you with an endless array of tutorials on how to apply eyeshadow. Simply trying to watch all the how-to videos on YouTube would be a binge-athon the likes of which is rarely seen outside of Netflix. But don’t let all of those tutorials overwhelm you. Keep in mind that not every piece of advice is going to work for you. As long as you follow some basic application tips, and find a look that works for your eye shape, coloring, and personal sense of beauty, you’ll be golden. Here are some basic tips to get you started:

1. Good brushes are half the battle. If you’re still trying to apply your shadow with those little sponge brushes that come in the convenience store eyeshadow pallets, it’s time to upgrade to some decent shadow brushes. We recommend getting a few, as each shape has a specific purpose in eyeshadow application. (Take a look at our brushes to learn a little more about that.)
2. Know how to best highlight your eyes. Smoky eyes don’t look great on everyone, just as cat’s eye eyeliner doesn’t work for everyone. Get familiar with your unique eye shape, and know how to use your shadow to best flatter that shape.

• For hooded eyes, focus your eyeshadow under the lower lashes and at the outer corners of your eyes.
• Wide-set eyes are best flattered by applying darker colors to the inner corner of the eyes.
• If you have close-set eyes, apply darker colors to the outer corners of your eyes.
• Eyes with monolids (no eyelid crease) can really work a cat eye. You can also experiment with highlights at the center of the eyelid.
• For deep-set eyes, don’t be afraid to go for that dramatic, smoky eye. While it might look like too much on other eye shapes, deep-set eyes work really well with this look.

Make sure you’re complementing your eye color as well. To learn what shades work well for your eye color, check out this blog.

3. Get easy eye definition with a simple cut crease. Simply apply a dark shadow along the upper crease of your eyelid, from the end of the line to the outer corner of your eye. Blend it really well, and apply a lighter shadow to your mobile lid (the part of your eyelid that moves when you blink). Boom—instant contrast, and beautifully defined eyes in minutes.

4. Keep things simple. Many women (especially those who are not very experienced with makeup) get overwhelmed by pallets and tutorials that tell you you have to use four different shades of eyeshadow with every makeup application. And while that may be great to do sometimes, it doesn’t work for everyone, every time. There’s nothing wrong with just picking a single shade and applying it all over your mobile lid. This will give you a quick pop of color with minimal effort.

5. Apply your shadow wet for a more dramatic look and deeper color. Speaking of using a single color, remember how we mentioned that our shadow can be applied wet? Here’s how it works: Just tap a small amount of shadow into the container’s lid. Get your shadow brush very slightly damp, and swirl it in the shadow. Apply it to your eyelid as you normally would. You’ll notice that the color is deeper and more vibrant, giving you a more dramatic look without any extra effort.

Eyeshadow is arguably one of the most fun makeup products out there. With so many colors and looks to experiment with, it truly gives us an opportunity to turn ourselves into works of art, and find our own definitions of beauty every day. So, have fun with your eyeshadow, and find a look that lets you shine!

Powder is a staple in any makeup bag. Because it’s such a simple product, few women feel that they need any special tips or advice for how to use it. But there are actually a few tricks you should know that can improve the overall look of your powder application. So, here’s what you should know about our pressed powder product, and how to use it to get a beautiful look that’s perfect for your skin.

Features and Benefits

Our pressed powder comes in four different shades. The lightweight, build-able color allows you to apply as much or as little powder as you need to match your skin tone without ever feeling heavy or cakey. It comes in a sleek compact that includes a mirror and compact sponge for midday touch-ups. Of course, you shouldn’t need to do many of those, as our powder is extremely long-lasting.

This powder will provide you with a natural-looking finish over your liquid foundation, or it can be used for lightweight coverage on its own. The silky-smooth formula goes on like a dream, and doesn’t leave your face with that strange, powdery look that other products can give you.

Tips for Use

It’s hard to use pressed powder the wrong way. However, there may very well be a better way to use this product than what you’re currently doing. And the exact way that you apply your powder should depend on the look that you’re going for, as well as your skin type. So here are a few tips that you might want to keep in mind:

• Make sure you’re using the right tool. For most people, this will be a full, rounded powder brush. This tool will give you that soft, glowing skin, and is a great way to set your foundation. A compact sponge, like the one included with our pressed powder, works well if you want a more matte finish. However, if you want to get full coverage from your powder alone, you’ll want to use a standard makeup sponge. Additionally, if you have very oily skin, a powder puff can help you to get a more velvety, matte finish.
• And keep those tools clean. Your tools are not going to work well for you if they’re dirty. Dirty brushes and sponges don’t give you even application, and can waste makeup. Plus, they’re filled with bacteria, and who wants to be putting germs on their face every morning?
• Only use one coat of powder. Too much powder will give you a cakey look, so try to control the urge to put on several layers. If you want a heavier coverage from your powder, use a sponge, as mentioned above.
• Choose the right shade. Typically, you want to simply match your powder to your skin tone. However, if your skin is very oily, you may want to go one shade lighter. When powder touches oil, it oxidizes, which can cause it to take on a more peachy or brownish tone. A slightly lighter powder will continue to match your skin tone, even after your facial oils have gotten into it.
• Remove any excess powder from your face. Leaving loose powder on your face can cause you to have a strange, powdery look to your skin, especially under bright lights or in photos taken with the flash on. So, after you apply your powder, use a clean, fluffy brush to gently dust off any excess. You can check whether or not you’ve removed the loose powder by taking a selfie on your phone with the flash turned on. If your skin doesn’t have white blotches, you’re set.
• Work from the inside out. You’ll want to start with your T zone, as this area tends to be the oiliest part of your face, and therefore needs the most powder. Dust it gently outwards with sweeping motions, then use circular movement to blend the powder to an even finish. Be sure to apply the product over the jawline and down onto the neck, to ensure your face and neck are the same color.

If you’re surprised by any of these tips, you’re not alone. But give them a try and see just how much your experience with our pressed powder can improve when you follow the right steps!

Whether you hit the snooze button one too many times, or you just want a super minimalist look for your makeup, there are many days where you just don’t want to go through your whole makeup routine. After all, you don’t need to have fabulous winged liner every time you go into the office. So, if you’re looking for a morning makeup routine that you can get done in just a few minutes, here’s the 5-minute, 5-product face that we recommend.

Step 1: BB Cream

As our most requested product, BB cream provides the perfect foundation for any makeup routine. It will give you a smooth and flawless complexion, but without the heaviness of other foundations. Just apply it with your foundation brush, sponge, or even with your fingertips, for light, all-over coverage. It dries to a powdery finish, so you don’t have to worry about topping it off with a powder if you don’t want to.

Step 2: Blush or Bronzer

For the next step, you can choose between blush and bronzer. Either one will add color and definition to your face, so choose whichever works best for your look today. Now, if you’re doing bronzer, you don’t want to go fully into the contouring routine. Just apply a few brush strokes of your product where it’s needed most. For a quick, all-over glow and some healthy color, apply to the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline.

Step 3: Fiber Brow

If you’ve been blessed with nice, thick eyebrows, you may be able to skip this step. But for those of us who don’t have that perfect arch first thing in the morning, a little brow grooming is essential. And our Fiber Brow product provides the extra volume and perfect shaping assistance in a minimal amount of time. Rather than spending time with brow pencils, shadows, and brushes, just apply a few strokes of Fiber Brow for perfect brows in a minimal amount of time.

Step 4: Mascara

We’re of the opinion that mascara is one of the most essential products in your makeup bag. Even if you apply nothing else, a single coat of mascara can really open up your eyes and make them look brighter, giving you a put-together, wide-awake look, regardless of how recently you rolled out of bed. So, make sure you don’t skip this step! If you’re in a hurry, just apply the first step of our Fiber Lash mascara. But if you have an extra minute, doing all three steps will really fill and lengthen those lashes.

Step 5: Lip Color

At Shine, we have a number of lip products to choose from, and a huge array of colors amid all those products. But the best part is that our lipstick, lip gloss, and LipLast products all apply smoothly and easily, so that you can simply swipe on a single coat on your way out the door. Plus, all of these products will help to hydrate your lips throughout the day. So, pick any of our products, and make it part of your 5-product makeup routine. Of course, keep in mind that this is a low-key look, so it will likely be best complicated by a more neutral shade. Depending on your skin tone, you might want to try our Reliable LipLast, Dependable lip gloss, or Believe lipstick as the finishing touch on your 5-minute routine.

Remember, you don’t need to spend hours making yourself “presentable” for the rest of the world. Often, the best look you have is one that merely accentuates your natural beauty, and lets the real you shine through—and that’s exactly what this 5-product, 5-minute face can do.

Fiber Brow is one product that we’re particularly proud of. Because all of that meticulous penciling, gelling, shading, filling, and even dyeing can be replaced with this one, simple product. Fiber Brow gives you those perfect brows with minimal effort. Here’s a bit more on this dream brow product, including some tips on proper use, and the incredible benefits.

Benefits of Fiber Brow

Some people are just blessed with beautiful, full eyebrows that don’t need a ton of extra help. For the rest of us, there’s an endless array of products we’re supposed to use to mimic what the blessed few achieve naturally. We dye our light-colored, barely-there brows, fill them in with pencils and shadows, gel and comb them to keep down those hairs that always grow in weird directions, and so on.

Fiber Brow is beautiful brows in a bottle. It spares you the time and expense of using all those different products. With this one product, you can:

• Add some color
• Increase volume
• Fill in sparse areas
• Shape and style like a brow gel
• Improve definition of brow shape

Whether you find your natural eyebrows too light, too patchy, or difficult to tame, Fiber Brow does it all and gives you the perfect brows that you’re striving for without all the extra products.

Tips for Use

Fiber Brow is incredibly simple to use and comes in two shades—Integrity for lighter brows, and Refine for darker ones. The product comes in a small tube with a built-in wand much like mascara. The tinted liquid inside includes microfibers that adhere to your skin and hairs to create thicker, fuller brows in just a few strokes. Even if you’ve never used a product like this before, it doesn’t take long to figure it out. For optimal results, follow these tips:

• Begin with a light application and build as you go to get the right color and volume.
• Apply in light, upward strokes.
• Work from the inner edge of the brow, out towards the tip.
• Follow the natural shape of your brow and direction of the hair’s growth.

That’s it! With some small, careful strokes, you can create the perfect brows that nature may not have seen fit to give you—and you can do it in under a minute with a single product.

Let’s be honest for a minute. Is your makeup actually stored somewhere, or is it just kind of scattered all over the place? From the lipstick in the bottom of your purse to the touch-up foundation you keep in your desk at work, you likely don’t keep all of your beauty products in a single location. And while it’s perfectly fine to keep your beauty products where you need them most, you still need to be putting a bit more thought into how and where your makeup is stored.

So here are a few dos and don’ts for storing your makeup that will help your products to last longer and look better every time.

Don’t Store in Direct Sunlight

If you keep any products lined up on your window sill, think again. Even if the product isn’t the kind that will melt or soften with sun exposure, sunlight can actually break down important compounds within your products. This can cause them to degenerate much more quickly than they should. You should also keep this in mind if you’re ever tempted to leave your makeup sitting in your car. Even if it’s not a particularly hot day, the sunlight can still cause your products to go bad.

Do Store in a Cool, Dark Place

Your makeup’s shelf life is going to be much longer when your products are stored in a place that is cool and dark. A closet or a dresser drawer in an interior room is a good place for your products. Be sure that they’re away from any sources of heat, like fireplaces or furnaces. Too much warmth can dry out some products, or even separate out the oils within the makeup, which would lead to spoiling.

Don’t Expose to Humidity

Unfortunately, one of the most common places that women store makeup is also one of the worst places you can keep it—the bathroom. Bathrooms can be quite humid, and humidity can quickly ruin powder products, making them clumpy and cakey. It’s better to keep them in another room, which isn’t exposed to as much humidity. Try finding a place outside your bathroom where you can store and apply your makeup without the extra humidity. Perhaps women in days of yore had it right with their vanities and dressing tables!

Do Keep in an Organized Bag

While it’s fine to have products here and there, in places where you need them, try to avoid tossing all your makeup in a jumbled mess in the bottom of a drawer or inside your purse. When they’re stored this way, products get jostled around a lot, which can lead to broken pressed powders, cracked containers, spilled products, and other damage. Keep your makeup organized, and you’ll be less likely to experience these kinds of problems.

These simple dos and don’ts will help your makeup to last longer, so that you can enjoy your products down to the last application. Remember, products that have been properly cared for will help to give you the flawless look that you’re striving for.

They say that a carpenter is only as good as his tools. Similarly, your makeup job is only as good as the brushes you use. And, just as a carpenter must care for his tools if he’s to produce quality work, you need to take proper care of your brushes if you want a flawless makeup application every time.

But too few women actually clean their brushes in the right way, and fewer still do it as frequently as they should. So here’s what you need to know about caring for your brushes.

When?

Your powder brushes should be washed at least once a month. However, you should soak them once a week to prevent product buildup. Brushes used around the eyes need to be thoroughly washed even more frequently—at least twice a month.

What?

It doesn’t take anything special to clean your makeup brushes. While you can use a brush cleaner, a gentle soap and some water will also suffice.

How?

Cleaning your makeup brushes takes only 7 very short and simple steps:

1. Wet your brushes with warm water.
2. Place a small amount of soap or cleaner in the palm of your hand.
3. Gently swirl the bristles in your palm to lather up the brush. Be sure to keep the base of the brush head away from the soap and water. If this part of your brush gets too wet, it can cause the glue to disintegrate, and the bristles to come loose.
4. Rinse with warm water.
5. Use a clean towel to squeeze out the excess water.
6. Reshape the brush head into its proper shape.
7. Place your brush on the edge of the counter with the bristles hanging over the edge to allow the bristles to dry in the right shape. Do not place them on a towel, as this can cause mildew.

That’s it! It doesn’t take much time, doesn’t require any special materials, and only takes a few minutes!

Why?

What makes cleaning your brushes regularly so important? Not only do clean brushes apply makeup more evenly, but they also waste less makeup. Dirty brushes lead to spotty application and difficult blending. Additionally, your brushes can pick up trace amounts of bacteria and redistribute them all over your skin. Regular cleanings prevent bacteria buildup, which can lead to breakouts and other skin troubles.

With so many reasons to clean your brushes, there’s really no good excuse for not cleaning your brushes on a regular basis. So break out the soap and spend a few minutes giving your beauty tools the TLC they need to help you shine!

There’s no “one-shape-fits-all” answer when it comes to shaping and styling your brows. Just like your hair, your eyebrows should be styled in a way that’s flattering to your face shape, the shade of your brows, and your own personal tastes. But regardless of the exact shape you choose for your brows, there are always a few “don’ts” that you’ll want to adhere to.

Don’t Do Initial Shaping Alone

If you’ve never had your brows shaped before (or if it’s been long enough that they’ve lost their shape completely), don’t try to find the right shape for your brows all on your own. Odds are, you’ll overpluck or over-wax, and end up with a look you are far from loving. Instead, invest in a visit to a professional for your initial shaping. Once they give you that perfect arch, you can work on maintaining it at home.

Don’t Tweeze Above the Brow

When plucking your brows, don’t pluck any hairs above the arch. This can leave you with an odd shape that is far from the initial arch given you by the cosmetologist. Pluck only stray hairs below the arch to maintain the shape.

Don’t Fill Brows with Darker Colors

If you need to fill in your brows with powder or pencil, don’t use anything darker than your hair color. Typically, you want to fill with a pencil or powder that is one shade lighter than your hair. Taupe works well for most people, but you may want a darker shade if your hair is very dark brown or black. Never use a black pencil, unless both your hair and your skin are very dark.

Don’t Pluck Lighter Hairs

Whether you just have some odd, light-colored patches in your brows, or you’re getting a few grey hairs in there, don’t ever pluck them out. It may seem like a fast solution, but eventually, this can leave you with sparse-looking brows. Instead, cover the lighter hairs with pencil or powder.

Don’t Fill in Everything

When using your chosen brow filler, you may be tempted to just swipe it across the entire brow. Don’t. Use short strokes and focus on filling in the sparse areas. This keeps the look natural, as well as preventing you from wasting product on fuller areas of your brows.

Don’t Skip the Daily Grooming

Finally, make sure that eyebrow care isn’t just something you do when your brows need to be reshaped. For a truly perfect brow, you should groom your brows every day. Brush your brows for a smooth, well-groomed look, and use a brow gel to keep them in place. Even if you don’t need to fill your eyebrows, these two simple steps will keep your brows looking fabulous every day.

We know that cosmetics aren’t cheap, and the last thing anyone wants to do is toss out even a single application’s worth of their favorite products. So when your makeup reaches its expiration date, you might be tempted to hang onto it for as long as you can. So is it okay to keep your products for longer than marked? Or do you have to toss them right away? Well, here’s the truth.

What the Date Means

The truth is, the date on your makeup is important, but you might not have to toss it out right on that day. Cosmetics tend to retain bacteria more easily than most other kinds of products, which is why the expiration date is so important. You don’t want to be putting bacteria-laden products around your eyes or lips, do you?

But the date on the packaging is based on the assumption that you’re going to be opening and using the product right away. So if you store the makeup for a while before the first use, then you likely don’t need to dispose of it on the expiration date. So, how long can you actually keep your products?

Product Shelf Life

Here are the general guidelines for how long you can keep various cosmetic products, measuring from the time that you first use it:

• Foundation: 6 months to 1 year
• Lipstick, liner, and gloss: 1 year
• Brow pencils and eyeliner: 1 year
• Mascara: 3 months
• Liquid eyeliner: 3 to 4 months
• Blushes and other powder: 2 years
• Cream blushes: 12 to 18 months
• Eye shadow: 3 to 6 months

Generally speaking, the more moisture a product contains, and the closer it is applied to your eyes, the sooner it needs to be thrown out. Moisture-laden products will retain more bacteria, and of course, you don’t want a bacteria-filled mascara wand or eyeliner pencil to be right next to your eye.

Signs It’s Time to Toss It

Of course, you probably don’t write down the date that you opened your current cosmetic products. So how do you know when to toss them out? Just keep an eye out for signs of change in the product’s composition. Changes in color, texture, or smell are sure signs it’s time to toss it. If it’s drying out, starting to separate, or getting goopy, you need to throw it out--not just because it’s probably getting bacteria in it, but because you’re no longer going to get good application out of it.

How to Help It Last Longer

If you want to help your cosmetics to last longer, there are a few things you can do. First, always apply your makeup with clean hands (for the sake of your products and your face). This will help keep bacteria and germs off the packaging and out of the product. Second, whenever possible, don’t touch your fingers directly to the opening or the product. For example, when applying liquid foundation, squirt a small amount onto the back of your hand instead of wiping the opening with your fingertip.

And finally, never share liquid cosmetics with anyone, especially the products that you apply around your eyes. Not only can the germs from other people make your products go bad more quickly, but they can lead to eye infections and other problems. So do yourself and your products a favor, and be a little selfish in this regard.

By treating your products properly and ensuring you don’t use expired products, you’ll get a better application and a more flawless look from your makeup.

Everybody has those days. You just don’t have the time or the energy to go through your fully fledged makeup routine, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look your best. Our products are designed to help you shine, whether you’re applying every product in your bag, or just a few. And for those days when you’re not in the mood for a full face of makeup, try these fast, fabulous products that can help you look your best with minimal effort.

BB Cream

A beautiful look starts with a smooth canvas. But applying heavy foundation and a finishing powder (not to mention dealing with bronzer and/or blush) is just too much some days. Shine’s BB cream goes on smooth and dries to a powdery finish for a natural, smooth look. You can apply it with a sponge or brush or, if you’re really in a hurry, it can even be smoothed on using just your fingertips. BB cream gives you flawless-looking skin in a matter of minutes.

Fiber Mascara

Even on lazy days, who doesn’t want stunning eyelashes? If you’re skipping out on most of your other cosmetics for the day, make sure you’re keeping Shine’s Fiber Mascara in your daily lineup. Whether you use just the first step for darker, fuller lashes, or you take that extra minute to go through all three steps, this product will give you beautiful eyelashes quickly. And those lovely lashes will last all day too, through rain or shine.

LipLast

Finally, before you head out the door, swipe on a touch of LipLast in one of our beautiful, highly pigmented colors. The color glides on smoothly and easily, just like applying lip gloss, but it sets to a rich, lipstick-like tone. So it takes just a few seconds to give your lips a beautiful layer of color. And, as the name implies, LipLast will last for hours on end while also hydrating your lips like a lip balm. No matter how lazy your day may be, you can’t pass out on the simple elegance that LipLast provides.

So there you have it. Keep these three products on hand for even your most laid-back days, and you’ll be able to look your best without spending hours in front of the mirror. After all, who says you can’t look fabulous while hanging out in your yoga pants?