The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping and now is the time to hit reset on your expansive beauty collection. Every makeup guru knows that nothing multiplies quite like the content of a beauty cabinet, which is why we MUST take this yearly opportunity to refresh. So grab a trash bag, pick up those Lysol wipes and get ready to re-evaluate your makeup, skincare and nail polish collection in 4 easy steps:

1.Check Those Expiration Dates

Did you know that most makeup and skincare products have a secret symbol that tells you exactly how long they last? That’s right, it’s not just food that spoils. To figure out which of your beauty products are still safe to use, look for the ‘open cream jar symbol’ on the package. This symbol with a have a tiny number written inside (example: 6M, 12M, 24M), which tells you the number of months the product is good for once opened. Problem solved.

Don’t see a number? No problem. Follow this butter LONDON expiration guide:

Skin Tint & Concealer: 12-18 Months

Blush: 12 Months

Eyeshadow: 6-12 Months

Mascara: 3 Months

Lipstick: 1-2 Years

2. Clean Your Brushes… And Cabinet

Whether it’s a beauty sponge, a foundation brush or an eyeshadow brush you only use once a month (thanks quarantine), you need to clean it! Makeup brushes should be cleaned once every two weeks, so if you have been slacking, now it the perfect opportunity to give your beauty tools a good scrub. All you need is warm water and a good soap. And while we’re at it, it’s also a good idea to give your cabinet and products a good wipe down, as well. After all, there’s nothing like smeared eyeshadow and leaky foundation to ruin a perfectly clean aesthetic.

3. Invest in a Chic Organizer

Now that you’ve thrown out the old and cleaned up the new, it is time to organize. Drawers and cabinets are a great place to store makeup products if you prefer a clear countertop— but don’t be afraid to take it a step further! Save yourself the digging and organize the butter LONDON way with a chic makeup and skincare organizer. These convenient storage containers feature cute compartments to help separate your beauty and nail products, so you don’t have to go digging. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, though we personally love to make a statement with the retro and fun butter LONDON X Caboodles organizer. 

4. Go Shopping

Finally, the fun part. If you find yourself missing a few staple makeup products after your spring clean, feel free to refresh your beauty collection with the hottest trends for the season. Naturally, pastel nail lacquers are having their moment, while neon nail polish colors are also making a big splash. And if you are after that dewy, warm weather glow, don’t forget to check out butter LONDON makeup such as our skin tint, blush and mascara. Happy Spring!