Upcycle your make-up and save by buying cosmetic refills

HAVE you ever had a lipstick you love so much it saddens you when it gets to the end? Or your favourite eyeshadow you accidentally dropped and is now a mess?

Simply because you can no longer glide it across your lipsit doesn’t mean you have to toss it away – that’s like throwing pocket change in the bin. Purchase a few cosmetic refills in different sizes. These can be found in the travel section of most stores for when you want to decant your lotions or hair products for travel purposes.

Now you are ready to upcycle those make-up products you would usually discard.

Here are a few ways:

Scrape out the last bits stuck at the bottom of the tube and mix it with petroleum jelly – now you have a tinted lip balm.

Pink or red lipsticks can double up as cream blush creating a dewy effect.

Dark lipsticks that you find are not quite working for on your lips can transform into a cream eyeshadow to get that wet look effect.

Create a new shade of lipstick by mixing old colours. Dig out the remains of the lipsticks you want to mix then melt down the colour. Mix them and pour into a clean small container. It will harden into a new shade.

Those cracked shimmer eyeshadows that are now making a mess in your cosmetic bag still have their uses.

Remove the crumbly shadow from the holder, crush it into a fine powder then mix the with a clear nail varnish to create a metallic nail colour.

Crushed finely gold, copper and bronze colour shimmer eye shadows can be mixed into body lotion to a shimmer body lotion which can be used on arms, legs and décolletage.

Mix silver or gold shimmer powders with your favourite lipstick or dab it over your lip gloss or lipstick for metallic effect.

Dried out mascara can be warmed up in a cup of hot water until it’s gooey again and ready to apply.

Don’t throw away mascara brushes from empty or expired mascara.

Crush cracked powder blusher into a fine powder. Then mix the powder into a bit of petroleum. Apply to the apple of the cheeks for a for a dewy blush look.

Place empty bottles between your clothes in your drawer and shelves to add scent. Much like you would use scented drawer liners.

Those last drops of perfume you can no longer spray out can be mixed into your favourite body lotion.

Have you ever tested a foundation on your hand or under bad lighting then get home and find out that it’s either too light or too dark? Those are perfect for creating Kim Kardashian’s contoured look. Use the dark foundation under your cheekbones to create the appearance of accentuated cheekbones. The same colour can be used on the side of your nose and jawline.

The foundation that’s too light can be used the same way you would use a highlighter. Along the top of your cheekbones and bridge of your nose as well as the tip of the nose.

If the foundation is a shade lighter it can be used as a concealer.