Admit it: you hold on to cosmetics longer than you should. So do I. Whether it’s frugality or plain old too-busy-to-notice syndrome (aka “motherhood”), many of us neglect to edit the contents of our makeup bags and medicine cabinets. This is a no-no, not only because it can result in some tragic beauty faux pas (mismatched foundation and skin tone, anyone?), but also because cosmetics can spoil, and to keep using them is to invite breakouts or worse.

So, park the kids in front of the TV (yup, we’re giving you permission) and spend half an hour gutting your makeup stash. Then, later in the week, hit the drugstore or department store for a couple of low-effort, high-impact cosmetics essentials that’ll see you from late summer through fall in chic-mama style.

Step one: Make room in your makeup bag by throwing stuff out
First, throw out anything that may be spoiled. According to Paula Begoun, author of Don’t go to the cosmetics counter without me, mascara has a three-month shelf life. Liquid makeup like eyeliner and foundation lasts up to one year. Powders like eye shadow, blush and face blotting powder can last up to two years -- though they might be sort of grotty before then.

Some easy rules:
• If you can’t remember when you bought it, or the packaging has worn off, ditch it.
• If you don’t wear it anymore but are hoping you might one day, cut your losses and just throw it out. 

Step two: Edit and update your cosmetics stash
Ditch: That old mascara.
Snag: Imju Fiberwig (available at Sephora.com), Japan’s top-selling mascara. This sweat-, water- and oil-proof jet black formula really means business, perfect for the doe-eyed, big-lash look. Pair it now with tinted moisturizer and lip gloss for a hot California-mom look. In the winter, add eyeliner, powder and lipstick.

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