When to Toss Your Makeup + What to Swap This Spring

Spring cleaning usually means closets and junk drawers. But can we talk about your makeup bag for a minute?

If you’re like most busy moms, you’re using the same mascara from who-knows-when and hoping it’s still fine. No judgment — I’ve been there.

So let’s make this simple.

First: When to Toss Your Makeup

Here’s your quick cheat sheet:

Mascara: Every 3 months
Liquid eyeliner: 3–6 months
Liquid foundation/concealer: 6–12 months
Lipsticks & glosses: About 1 year
Powders (blush, bronzer, shadow): 1–2 years

If it smells weird, separates, dries out, or starts irritating your skin — it’s done.

Mascara is the biggest one I see hanging around too long. Since it’s a wet formula that goes near your eyes, it’s just not worth pushing it past that 3-month mark.

Then: What to Swap This Spring

Instead of just tossing products and rebuying the same thing, spring is a great time to ask:

Is this actually working for me?
Is it taking too long?
Does it support my skin… or just cover it?

Here are a few easy swaps I love.

1. Swap Single-Use Products for Multitaskers

If you’re in a busy season (so… always?), multitasking products are everything.

One of my favorite swaps is using a blush balm that works for both cheeks and lips. It gives you color in under a minute and makes you look put together without layering five different things.

Our Color Street blush balms are perfect for this because:

They blend quickly
They work on cheeks and lips
They include skincare ingredients (so they’re not just sitting on your skin)
They’re clean formulas

It’s one product. Two uses. Done.

That’s the kind of swap I can get behind.

2. Swap Harsh Formulas for Clean Beauty

As I’ve learned more about skincare, I’ve become more aware of what’s in my makeup too.

If you’re already investing in good skincare, it makes sense not to layer questionable ingredients right on top of it.

One of the reasons I love all of our Color Street makeup is that it includes skincare ingredients and is clean. That means:

My mascara isn’t just coating my lashes.
My lip products aren’t drying my lips out.
My makeup supports my skin instead of fighting it.

That’s a big deal for me — especially as we get into warmer months when we’re wearing lighter makeup.

3. Swap Heavy for Lightweight

Spring usually means:

More time outside
Less desire for full coverage
Simpler routines

If your current products feel heavy or cakey, this is the perfect time to lighten things up.

Instead of layering powder blush over foundation over concealer… try:

A lightweight base
A cream blush balm
Mascara
A hydrating lip product

Four steps. Five minutes. Out the door.

A Quick Note on Powder Products

If you still have powder blushes or cheeks that are technically “fine,” you don’t have to toss them immediately.

But if they’re:

Hard to blend
Looking dry on your skin
Sitting in fine lines

That’s usually your cue that a cream formula might work better — especially as skin changes over time.

This Isn’t About Buying More

It’s about buying smarter.

It’s makeup that:

Saves time
Supports your skin
Makes you feel confident
Doesn’t live in your bag for three years

Spring cleaning your beauty routine isn’t about buying a whole new collection. It’s about making a few smarter swaps.

Want My Spring Makeup Reset List?

I put together a simple Spring Beauty Reset Wishlist with the exact multitasking, clean products I use and recommend — including my favorite blush balm, mascara, and everyday lip products.

If you’re already tossing old makeup, this makes replacing it easy and stress-free.

👉 You can shop the wish list here.

And if you want help choosing shades or figuring out what to replace first, just message me. I’ll help you keep it simple.