Tips and Suggestions To Make The Most Of Your Makeup
Spring is always associated with freshness and a longing for change – and when it comes to makeup, we tend to act accordingly. Layers of makeup are stripped back as the temperature rises, and the Spring sun allows us to substitute heavy foundation with a more natural coverage. This change in weather is the perfect excuse to tidy up our makeup bags and cases, as with the end of Winter comes the expiry date of products, which need replacing annually.
In this post, we’ll talk you through the concept of PAO and we will give away a new Alphabet Bags makeup bag containing 5 e.l.f. Products of your choice, to celebrate the official beginning of Spring!
What is PAO?
I’m sure you will all have heard about PAO before, also known as Period After Opening. Recently I did some further research into PAO, looking especially at the CTPA website, and I would like to share my findings with you, as hygiene in makeup is so important. After all, we love to wear makeup because we like to look good and healthy, and hygiene is a key factor to achieving this.
First of all, the PAO is always shown either on the outer packaging of your makeup or on the item itself, and will look like this:
The symbol shows an opened tub, and generally has a number followed by M on it. This signifies the number of months it is safe to use the product after it has been opened.
In case you have been inspired to clean up your make up bag but no longer have the outer packaging, here is the general PAO for e.l.f. products:
– Powders (including blush, bronzer, eyeshadows powdery texture) – 12M
– Foundation in a jar or a cream powder – 6-12M
– Nail polish – 6M
– Lipstick, lip gloss -12M
– Pencil (Eye, Lip) – 12M
– Skin care products (hydrating wipes, wrinkle, eye contour) – 3-6M
– Solid eyeliner and eyebrow pencil – 6-12M
– Cream/Liquid Bronzers – 6-12M
– Mascara – 6M
– Liquid eyeliner – 6M
– Mineral range – 3M
Possible consequences of using out of date cosmetics
Generally, consequences of using products which are essentially out of date are not extreme. However, one main issue in doing this is that the product may no longer work as intended, and could change in consistency and colour. This of course becomes important if we think about the reason we wear makeup and choose certain makeup items: we want our foundation to be the correct shade for our skin tone and we want to enhance our features, not compromise our health and skin with outbreaks caused by the use of unhygienic products.
In worst cases, bacteria left to proliferate on makeup can cause skin irritation.
Tips on how to make the most of your makeup within the PAO
– Buy little and often (every 3 months).
– Choose 2-3 shades per makeup item and mix them up, for example we suggest:
3 tones of lipstick, red, pink and nude.
3 eyeshadows: the e.l.f. Mineral Range are good to mix and create new shades.
2 blushes: a warmer and a cooler shade.
2 shades of bronzers, to go with different grades of tan.
2 foundations to match your tan over the year, and to mix together in-between seasons. Also use the darker one for contouring.
– For nail polish only: share a few shades with your friends, or get a nail polish set which contains several bottles but in smaller sizes (for hygiene reasons, do not share any other type of makeup).
Tips on how to make your products last as long as the PAO date
– Store makeup at ambient temperature, in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and with the lids firmly closed.
– Use clean hands or a brush/applicator to avoid contamination.
– Make sure you use clean, completely dry applicators.
– Do not share your makeup items with others, to avoid cross-contamination.
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Win A New Makeup Bag Competition – CLOSED
Win a An Alphabet Bags makeup bag and your 5 favourite e.l.f. products (up to the value of £20) to replace your old one this Spring!
We have teamed up with Alphabet Bags to bring you this generous prize! It is extremely easy to enter, just follow the link HERE!
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Well Done to Natalie Cox, the lucky winner of our Giveaway! We have emailed you for further details 😀
mineral lipstick rich rasberry
eyelid primer in sheer
hig definition powder in translucent
lip stain in crimson
blush in tickled pink
Hello Natalie, I am happy to advise that you are the lucky winner of our Giveaway!! We have sent you an email to confirm details 🙂 – CONGRATULATIONS! 😀
I’d choose
Baked blush in Rich Rose;
Liquid eyeliner in black;
The mineral infused mascara;
A moisturising lipstick in Rosy-Go-Round,
and a concealer in beige x
Cream eyeliner in black
Mineral Moisturising Lip Tint in Colour Berry
Mineral Lipstick in Cool Coral
Studio Body Shimmer in Colour Cosmic Coral
Maximum Coverage Concealer Beige
Studio Eyebrow Kit
Mineral Eyeshadow Primer
Mineral Eyeshadow- Temptress
Mineral Eyeshadow-Natural
Mineral Eyeshadow- Enchanting
happy winnings! 🙂
I am all about the coral peachy shades this spring
I would love to try out the lip stains in the lighter colours, the baked blushes in rose, mineral eye shadows in any brown/copper shade, concealer and the correcting palette! I ♡ elf products I’m constantly recommending them to my friends 🙂 x
I am in love with coral, too, this season! Soon a blog overview on this amazing colour 🙂
Moisturising lipstick – red carpet
Lip lock pencil
Volume plumping mascara – black
Cover everything concealer – light
Blush with brush – colour shy
blush in twinkle pink
lip exfoliator
studio cream blush in heartbreaker
shimmer sheets
mineral booster in sheer
🙂
Nail Polish Set in Beach Party
Jumbo Eyeshadow Stick in French Lace
Organiser in Burgundy
Nail File Set
High Definition Powder-Translucent
Studio Cream Blush-Flirt
Baked Blush-Passion Pink
Nail Polish-Liquid Metal
great giveaway!!!hope to get an upgrade to my make-up bag!!!
studio cream blush – heart breaker £6.50
studio conditioning lip balm – mellow melon £3.95
mineral eyeshadow – innocent £3.00
Studio makeup mist and set £3.95
glitter primer – sheer – £2.50
I love the conditioning lip balm and running low. The mineral eyeshadows are amazing and i would love a neutral colour for my eye base colour . The cream blush looks like the most amazing product I am hoping to try from Elf as of yet , the colours are amazing. Iit is a crime not to prime so got to grab some of that and of course the most amazing mist and set ever I had to add that in .
I would love to win this
the maximum coverage concealer -sand |£3.75
moisturising lipstick -cheeky £3.95
warm bronzer £3.95
high definition powder – £6.95
eyebrow stencils £1.95
Mineral infused primer, lip stain pink petal, Bronzers golden, Baked eyeshadow pixie, nourishing cuticle pen.
I’d choose:
Blush in candid coral
Studio Shimmer Palette
High Definition Powder in translucent
Moisturising Lipstick in coral cutie
single eyeshadow in raspberry truffle
🙂
Great giveaway! If I won, I would choose: Mineral Booster in Sheer; Mineral Lipstick in Runway Pink; Mineral Eyeshadows in Innocent and Enchanting; and Blush with Brush in Coy.
I recently got my first E.L.F order, and I have to say, I’m a big fan of the products!
I’d love to try out one or two shades of the baked blush. Im in love with those. The lip exfoliator works wonders, definitely need that. High definition powder and some coppery/orange/cream eyeshadows!
I am a massive fan of the mineral mascara, but I had no idea that make-up had a use by date on it! So glad I read this article! So I’d have to go for a new Black mineral mascara first! I’d also go for the sheer glitter primer, as it looks amazing under foundation on a night out 🙂 Also the mineral pencil eyeliner in Black is another favourite of mine, along with the contouring blush & bronzing powder in Antigua and finally a dramatic lash kit, because everyone loves falsies!
I am glad it helped 🙂
I would love to win this
Baked Blush, Peachy Cheeky
Stipple Brush
Mineral Eyeshadow Primer, Sheer
high definition powder
Mineral Lipstick, Pouty Petal
This is an awesome giveaway. I love elf products. I’d like to try the baked blush and some different shades of eyeshadow.
I would choose
Contouring Blush & Bronzing Cream – St. Lucia
Corrective Concealer in Color Erase and Conceal
EYEBROW TREAT & TAME in Dark
Lip Stain in Lucky Lady
Pressed Powder in Porcelain
🙂
Mineral Foundation in Medium Beige
Mineral Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow in Forest Frolic
Essential Blush with Brush in Glow
Essential Smudge Pot in Poppin Party
Essential Jumbo Eyeshadow Stick in Like a Boss
Baked Blush in Pinktastic, High Definition Powder in Corrective Yellow, Baked Eyeshadow in Pixie, Under Eye Concealer & Highlighter in Fair, Studio Matte Lip Colour in Rich Red
I would like to win
I can’t even decide at the moment what I would want to win, there are so many great products! 🙂
I would like to win these products:
– Eyelid Primer in sheer
– High Definition Powder in translucent
– Baked Blush in Pinktastic
– Moisturising Lipstick in coral cutie
– Moisturising lipstick -cheeky
amazing giveaway =D
Moisturising lipstick in Wink Pink, Mineral infused face primer, Clarifying pressed powder in Ivory, Jumbo eyeshadow stick in Little Miss Thing & Baked Blush in Passion Pink.
Nail Polish Set – Vacation Trio, Moisturising Lipstick – Pink Minx, Flawless Eyeshadow – Party Purple, Eyelid Primer – Sheer, Waterproof Lengthen & Volumise Mascara – Dark Brown
I wouldn’t know what to choose… I can’t decide myself yet :S
Mineral Foundation: Fair
Studio Glossy Gloss: Dragonfruit
Long-Lasting Lustrous Eyeshadows: Toast + Gala
Luscious Liquid Lipstick: Perfect Pink
Mineral Lipstick – Rosy Raisin – £5.00
Mineral Lipstick – Cheerful Cherry – £5.00
Liquid Eyeliner – Black – £1.95
Liquid Eyeliner – Silver – £1.95
Studio Makeup Mist and Set – £3.95
My choice :
– e.l.f. Mineral Personal Blend Foundation SPF 15 (medium)
– e.l.f. Mineral Foundation SPF 15 (light foundation)
– e.l.f. Studio Mineral Infused Face Primer (brightening lavender)
– e.l.f. Essential Professional Travel Brush Kit
– e.l.f. Essential 28-Piece Beach Beauty Palette (night)
Thanks a lot !
my choice: mineral foundation and concealer (fair), complexion perfection, powder brush studio and mineral powder brush:D
Thank you so much for this giveaway, elf. I really appreciate it. I love your products and have bought a lot over the past few months. Great products for great reasonable pricing. I honestly could not pick which products I’d want but I’m sure I’d come to some kind of decision if I won 🙂
I’ve finally decided haha. 1. Complete coverage concealer in medium. 2. Baked bronzer in st lucia. 3. Blush in cadid coral. 4. Eyebrow kit in medium. 5. Precision liquid eyeliner in black
studio stipple brush = £3.95
lip lock pencil = £3.95
blush – mellow mauve = £3.95
blending eye brush = £1.95
beauty book – smoky look = £6
Blush in Candid Coral, Studio Matte lip colour in Tea rose, Complete coverage concealer in light, Jumbo eyeshadow stick in French lace and mineral lipstick in barely bitten
I would choose the mineral eye brightener, eye transformer, studio eyebrow kit in medium, 6 piece eyeshadow palette in natural and long-lasting lustrous eye shadow in toast please xx
MIneral Infused Face Primer – Green
Eyebrow Treat ‘n’ Tame – Ash
Mineral Eye Liner – Coffee
Mineral Infused Mascara
Oh thank you very much for all the information. Generally I do leave stuff in it’s packaging until I’ve ran out of whatever I’m using but sometimes I just get excited, y’know? Packaging goes flying!
My top five most used products would be
Volume Plumping Mascara
High Def Powder
Blush in Peachy Keen – the little black compact one
Kohl Eyeliner – ze black one
I know what you mean Elle! Glad it helped 🙂
Contouring Blush & Bronzing Cream – St. Lucia £3.95
Moisturising Lipstick – Rosey go round £3.95
Flawless Eyeshadow – Tantalising Taupe £2.50
Waterproof Eyeliner Pen – Black £2.95
Baked Blush – Pinktastic £3.95
That make up bag is so cute.
I can’t waiiiiit!! Wan’t it so bad because I never tried e.l.f cosmetics .. 😀