It’s officially spring which means one thing: it’s time for a makeup bag glow-up. I’m talking cleaning out the crusty lip glosses, saying a teary goodbye to that dried-up mascara, and finally letting go of the broken compacts we swear we’re gonna fix “someday.” No shade if you’re still carrying around that one foundation you bought in high school but… maybe it’s time.
I’m Su, your makeup BFF from sunny Huntington Beach, and today we’re talking all about spring cleaning. Not the boring closet-sorting type. The fun kind. The kind that makes your skincare shelf actually cute and your makeup bag fresh enough to make you want to do your face at 8 AM. Let’s get into it.
First things first: the expiration dates no one told you about
Okay. Real talk. Makeup doesn’t last forever. Some of it barely lasts a year. And no, you cannot keep using that eyeliner from 2017. That’s not character. That’s just bacteria.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet so you don’t have to Google it mid-purge:
| Product | Toss It After |
|---|---|
| Mascara | 3 months |
| Eyeliner (liquid) | 3-6 months |
| Lip Gloss | 12 months |
| Foundation | 12-18 months |
| Concealer | 12 months |
| Powder products | 18-24 months if clean |
| Lipstick | 18 months |
| Skincare | Varies – check the label |
If anything has changed texture or smell, or if it separates, toss it. That weird chemical scent isn’t “just how sunscreen smells” – it’s expired.
If it smells weird, looks weird, or feels weird, it probably shouldn’t be on your face
Also, quick tip: Most products have a little icon that looks like an open jar with a number on it. That’s how many months it’s good for after you open it. Who knew tiny drawings could determine the fate of our makeup drawer?
Level up: wash your brushes. Yes, all of them
This is the part nobody wants to do. But your brushes are probably gross. There’s powder buildup. Caked foundation. Questionable brown stains that you’re convinced are bronzer but… are they?
I try to force myself to deep clean my brushes at least twice a month. Honestly, even once a month is better than forgetting altogether.
Warm water, gentle shampoo (or actual brush cleanser if you’ve got one), and a clean towel: that’s it. Swirl, rinse, repeat until the water runs clear. Then lay ’em flat to dry.
Your makeup will blend better, your skin will breathe better, and you’ll feel like a productive goddess
Also, your sponge? If it’s looking like a sad brown marshmallow, maybe… don’t just wash it. Retire it. Get a fresh one; they’re like 5 bucks and it’ll make your under-eyes look way less patchy.
Channel your inner Marie Kondo, but only a little
We’re not trying to toss everything. But this is a good moment to ask yourself WHY you still have five half-empty tubes of the exact same nude gloss. And why none of them actually suit you?
Go through your bag and sort it like this:
- Products you use daily – these stay, obviously.
- Products you use sometimes – keep, but maybe store outside your main bag so it’s less chaotic.
- Stuff you legit forgot you owned – test it again or let it go.
Make sure your main makeup bag only has the essentials that serve your current face. Not your 2016 face. Not your experimental glitter era. You can store those things somewhere else, just not in the day-to-day pile.
Swatching is self-care
Spring is a great excuse to play. Swatch those lipsticks you’ve been ignoring. Try that random turquoise eyeliner from a subscription box two years ago. Sometimes we forget how fun this stuff is.
I like to do this when I’m feeling majorly stuck in a rut. Sit in front of a mirror, put on a podcast or a playlist, and just try stuff. No pressure. No “perfect look” expectations. Just swatch and vibe.
And honestly? You might re-fall in love with a product you were about to trash. Or you’ll realize the blush you’ve been clinging to for years actually makes you look like an Oompa Loompa. Either way, it’s information.
The new season = new shades
Spring makeup is light. It’s soft. It’s fresh. It’s giving “I woke up like this” even if you definitely spent forty minutes on your concealer placement.
Here are some cute product swaps to spring-ify your look:
| Winter Staple | Spring Switch-Up |
|---|---|
| Full-coverage matte foundation | Tinted moisturizer or skin tint (Glossier Skin Tint or Fenty Eaze Drop) |
| Dark mauve lipstick | Sheer pink or peach gloss |
| Deep contour | Warm bronzer or cream blush |
| Black eyeliner | Brown or pop color liner (like periwinkle or lilac) |
| Matte everything | Cream highlighters for that glazed donut glow |
You don’t need a whole new vanity, just a few switches to match the whole light, floral, windows-down energy of spring.
“Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is.” – Jessica Harrelson
Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with color. Pastel shadows, lavender mascara, mint inner corner highlight. It’s fun. It’s corny in the best way.
Let’s talk organization (but like… not in a boring way)
Okay, if your makeup bag is still that tiny freebie pouch you got with a drugstore set in 2019, I’m gently sliding over a suggestion: upgrade.
Here’s how I keep my stuff feeling chic but also functional:
- A zip-up clear case for daily must-haves
- Mini trays to separate lipsticks, pencils, and liquids
- Magnetic palette if you’re a depotting nerd (respect)
- Label things if you get overwhelmed (just a cute sticker is enough)
Also, if you travel even a little bit, keeping a “go bag” of your solid performers will absolutely save your life. Especially when you’re running late but still want to fake looking presentable at brunch.
Your whole makeup game gets better when you can actually find your eyeliner
Say goodbye to makeup guilt
Here’s your permission: You can toss that expensive foundation that never matched. You can ditch the lip gloss that feels like glue. You don’t have to keep every product “just in case.”
That guilt? Let it go. Spring is about refreshing, not hoarding.
It feels so much better to open your makeup bag and actually love what’s in it than to stare at a cluttered mess that kinda stresses you out. Makeup is supposed to be fun, not a graveyard of regrets.
So if it doesn’t spark vibes? Bye.
Shop your stash like it’s new
Sometimes the best part of spring cleaning is suddenly realizing, “Oh… I already have eight lipsticks that look good and don’t smell like crayons.”
Once your stuff is cleaned, sorted, and organized, take a sec to appreciate it. Put the prettiest ones in a cup on your desk. Re-arrange your skincare shelf so it’s TikTok aesthetic. Use that highlighter you forgot about and go to Trader Joe’s looking like a glazed peach.
Products feel totally different when we re-meet them with fresh eyes. And who knows? You might stop impulse buying stuff for a while. Lol (but like hopefully not).
A couple of spring reset product stars
Ok fine. I can’t leave you hanging without at least a few recs that absolutely scream spring freshness:
- Tower 28 BeachPlease Cream Blush – gives off “I had lemonade in the sun” energy
- Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush – borderline magic. You need such a tiny drop
- e.l.f. Halo Glow Filter – for glassy “why is your skin like that?” compliments
- Glossier Ultralip in Lucite or Villa – low effort, high reward
- Maybelline Sky High Mascara in brown – soft fluttery lashes that are still super cute
Mix and match all of these and you’re basically unstoppable.
Don’t overthink it
Spring cleaning your makeup bag shouldn’t be a chore. It should feel like self-care with a side of chaos. Throw stuff out. Rediscover old faves. Play a little. Laugh at the expired lip liners and the old receipts stuck to your compact.
Your face deserves fresh product energy. And so do you.
So pull out that dusty makeup bag, pour a big iced matcha, and start the fluffy-pink-cleaning vibes. You never know: the perfect blush might be buried under last Halloween’s glitter liner.
And honestly? That’s kind of cute.
