The beauty spy: On how to revamp your make-up bag

The Beauty Spy shares some of her secrets on how to reorganise your stash of cosmetics.

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This week, my make-up bag is being transformed into a multi-tasking, revamped and altogether more glorious version of its former self.

I am following this top tip from the make-up guru Bobbi Brown: "Dump all of your make-up onto a table or the floor and arrange the make-up into the following categories: lips, cheeks, eyes, skin. This way you'll be able to see what you have too much of and what you'll need to complete your beauty kit. First, toss out anything that's broken or missing a cap. Then, check for quality. All products have an expiration date so it's important to get rid of anything that's outdated. The easiest way to tell if a product is still good is by its smell. If it has a strange or chemical odour, throw it out."

I know it's tricky to throw out an eyeliner that has been with you for longer than your favourite shoes, but you will find it cathartic.

The other thing to do is to wash your brushes. You can use something posh, such as MAC Brush Cleanser or Sephora Collection Daily Brush Cleaner, or you can just put some shampoo in some hot water, leave the brushes in there for 10 minutes, rinse them and then put them on a towel to dry. Your bag itself you can clean with baby wipes, make-up remover wipes or even antiseptic wipes.

All the eyeshadows, bronzers, et cetera also need a good wipe, but as Brown says, anything that is broken to lidless, throw away.

Remember, less is more. Don't carry around every eyeliner you own, just your everyday one. And try to pick products in 2012 that do more than one thing, such as a concealer that not only disguises dark circles (one of the most ageing, unattractive things on anyone, especially me) but also firms your skin. I like the Revlon Age Defying Makeup and Concealer, which contains peptides.

You can also opt for a foundation that contains retinols for a smoother skin; the L'Oréal Visible Lift Line-Minimizing Makeup with Pro-Retinol is affordable and good. Finally, choose some lipgloss that plumps your lips as well as lends them shine; one of our old favourites is the Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker XL Extreme Plump.

If you want to update your look and aren't sure where to start, see an expert. Stop by your local make-up studio and have a complementary lesson by one of their make-up artists. A good artist will show you options that are within your comfort zone (and budget). More on that another time. For now, get emptying, cleansing and sorting. You will feel so much better afterwards, I promise.

3 of the best

Deep-clean your body with these purifying detox products

ELEMENTAL HERBOLOGY FACIAL DETOX PURIFYING FACIAL MASK, DH265 Organic Amazonian clay helps eliminate toxins from the surface of the skin while gently exfoliating and softening. Remove it with a hot cloth after 15 minutes, to reveal soothed, glowing skin.

NEAL'S YARD DETOX TONING OIL, DH125 Beat the bloat with this stimulating blend of lemon, black pepper and frankincense. Regular use helps encourage the breakdown and elimination of toxins including that skin nasty, cellulite.

LABEL.M DEEP CLEANSING SHAMPOO, DH57 Wash that party out of your hair with this clever shampoo that banishes excess oil and product build-up. Your tresses will be left healthy, strengthened and smelling divine.

M loves

Male repair

Helping men through the day after the night before has become a focus for cosmetics companies. The latest in Clinique's line of beauty products for men includes this cooling eye gel that comes in a reassuringly masculine shade of titanium grey and helps reduce bags under the eyes by constricting blood vessels. A handy way to hide the effects of a night's excess.

Clinique anti-fatigue cooling eye gel, Dh160, available at all Clinique counters across the UAE