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Detox your cosmetics bag

Our skin is our largest organ, and yet we think about detoxing it less than we think about giving our liver a breather. So why not consider detoxing your skin? A healthy glow might be what you have to thank you for it.

Start off by detoxing your cosmetic bag. Take all your brushes out of your bag, drawers, handbag, boxes and palettes and prepare to cleanse. Rinse your brush under running water until the water runs clear.

Fill a glass with warm water and squeeze in a little mild shampoo. Swish your brush around, rinse in fresh water and give it a flick to expel any excess water. Now lay it out on a clean hand towel to dry. Ideally you'll want to clean your brushes once a week, or whenever you swap from colour to colour. If you've got hellishly expensive brushes you may want to consider using specialist cleaning fluid, available from most cosmetic counters.

Next, go through all your make-up and toss out anything past its use-by date (see box). Then empty out and clean your make-up bag. If it's washable, pop it in a lingerie bag and put it through a gentle cycle; if not, give it a good shake and then wipe out the insides with a baby wipe and leave to dry in the air.

Natural beauty

Using organic beauty products can leave you with a gorgeously glam conscience. Australia has some wonderful organic brands: check out Natural Instinct, MV Organic, Miessense, A'Kin and Al'chemy, Absolutely Gorgeous and Nvey Eco. Organically speaking, you'll find everything a gorgeous gal or guy needs - from cleansers, shampoo and deodorant to mascara and lip balm. Trilogy also has a lovely range created with organic rosehip oil.

Mineral make-up is another more natural option. These products are designed to sit on your skin, not sink in. Try Jane Iredale, Inika, Danne or Eles. The natural pigments are gloriously rich and they contain no chemical fillers or additives.

To keep your cosmetics in best possible condition, look after them well. Store them in a dark, cool, dry place - in their original packaging where possible. When using cream blush or eyeshadow, use a brush (not your fingers) to apply, so you transfer as few bacteria as possible. When applying moisturiser or cleanser, use a clean plastic spatula or spoon to remove the cream from the jar, not your finger.

Facing facts

As part of your weekend detox, try this salad of beauty on your face. Mash up an avocado for dry skin or a handful of strawberries and papaya for oily skin, and smear over your face, neck and decolletage. Pop a couple of cucumber slices over your eyes and lie back with your feet up for 30 minutes before rinsing and applying an organic moisturiser.

Summer spritz

Pop a few slices of cucumber and lemon in a water spray bottle and fill with water. Leave in the fridge and spritz yourself whenever you need to beat the heat.

Hair care

Mix two whole eggs with a tablespoon of honey and four tablespoons of olive oil and apply to your hair. Pop a shower cap over top and wrap in a towel that's been soaked in warm water and wrung out tightly. Leave for 15 minutes, rinse then shampoo and condition hair as usual.

What's the use-by date?

Eyeshadow: powder two years, cream 12 to 18 months

Eyeliner and lipliner: two years

Mascara: three to six months

Lipstick: two years

Lipgloss: 18 months to two years

Blush: powder - two years, cream - 12 to 18 months

Foundation: 12 to 18 months

Concealer: 12 to 18 months

Powder: two years

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