Wear It Wednesday Makeup Tools

How often do you wash your makeup brushes? How long do you keep your mascara?

After I apply my makeup on Friday mornings, I wash my brushes and my Beauty Blender Sponge.

A bath in warm soapy dishwater and a thorough rinse under running water is followed by laying everything out on a clean towel to air dry.

I store brushes on my dressing table, far away from the bathroom. All sorts of bacteria live in the bathroom, so makeup and applicators do not belong there.

I throw out mascara, eyeliner, and eyeliner pencils every three months. Bacteria builds up on these products, and I don't want to chance an eye infection.

Once a year, I throw away old eyeshadow and blush. Makeup changes as it gets older and bacteria grow, so it's good to start fresh.

Never pump your mascara wand into the tube. You cause it to dry out faster.

I recently added this lucite organizer to my dressing table. I love having all the items I use most often at my fingertips.

My dressing table is this little antique desk I bought when I lived near New Orleans a few years ago. 

My parents gave me a small bench.

The best lighting I have ever gotten from a makeup mirror comes from this one by Ott.

I also use this type of mirror with 5x magnifying on one side.

The few minutes you spend putting on makeup each morning should be comfortable and pleasant. Your makeup should enhance your beauty, not cause health problems. 

This is the type of mirror I pack to take with me for travel. I sit in front of a window to put on makeup if possible.

What tips would you share for storing and keeping your products safe to use?

From The Heart

What were your 30's and 40's like? 

Those were the saddest two decades of my life. I cried a river and spent most of that time working two jobs and was usually alone. Shortly before I turned fifty, my life changed dramatically. That's when I met Mr. Mickey at a neighborhood Christmas party. He is my best friend, strongest supporter, and the greatest adventure partner ever. I stopped coloring my hair and lost more than forty-five pounds after a lifetime of yo-yo dieting. (I've kept it off!)

Some may say that at almost 58, I should be wearing elastic waist pants and comfy shoes. I think not! This is the best time of my life, so I am going to dress for the occasion. While I love the current trends and street style looks the younger crowd wears, I will be making that look my own in a more polished and sophisticated way.

Our little pocket digital camera doesn't take the best pictures, but it is always handy when we need it. The not so great quality pictures have prompted some of you to ask if I use Photoshop. I don't, and these pictures prove it!

Since hair and makeup are also a part of the look, I thought I would let the camera come in close for a change. 

I like a clean blended natural look for makeup and hair. I don't want anything to look as if I tried too hard. The eye shadow colors are always the same, just a little more dramatic for the evening. The lip color will be redder if I am wearing a red top. Otherwise, the lip color will be very close to my natural lip color.

Makeup is all about enhancing your best features. Obviously, I have not had any work done. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it just isn't for me. 

When I wear a dramatic necklace, I wear small earrings. If I wear bold earrings, I skip the necklace. I wear sunglasses almost all the time when I am outside. (Blue eyes are sensitive to bright light.)

If you are going through a tough time right now, please believe me when I say there will be a better day. Keep your head up and move on to the next chapter. The best years of your life may be coming up.