Our 2022 Beauty Resolutions

It's that time of the year! Many of us are grabbing for a pen and some paper to write our resolutions for the new year, but what types of resolutions can we make when it comes to beauty? Turns out, there are plenty. Keep reading to be inspired for an extra beautiful year ahead!

While it can be nice to have a variety of products and tools to choose from, it can also be quite overwhelming. There's nothing like sifting through a sea of products to pinpoint a single item. Even worse, if you don't have a good organizational system in place, it can lead to lost products. We have all been there. We've spent hours searching for that one brush or our favorite lipstick only to get frustrated and end up buying a new one.

If you're a pro, you already know that keeping your kit organized will help you work more efficiently, and clean up and pack up time will be a breeze. However, even the most prepared pros can use a kit revamp every so often. One of our favorite bags for pros on set is MYKITCO's Backstage Buddy. This handy case offers see-through and sturdy compartments for all of your essentials. It even has a place to ensure your tissues aren't crushed! They also offer several see-through and ultra sturdy PVC pouches to allow you to group your products together and easily recognize them at a glance while you're working. If you're looking for a hard case, Cozzette offers different sized vessels to protect your tools.

If you're a makeup lover and don't need a larger case to carry your makeup, we still have things to keep your makeup wardrobe in tip top organized shape, too! The MYKITCO Brush Buddy can help keep you organized with moveable slots to create different-sized sections for your brush collection, and when you're not applying your makeup, you can easily close the bag's lid and zip it up to protect your tools from dust and other environmental factors. If you like to pack an assortment of makeup and tools when you travel, the ESUM Brush Book has plenty of pockets, slots, and pouches to safely store your makeup while you're out and about.

For a stylish option that you can wear on your back, we love StunnerBee Beauty's Beauty Boss Backpack which blends the best of fashion and functionality. This gorgeous bag is draped in nylon and crocodile embossed vegan leather with a large front exterior carry-all pocket. The backpack is enveloped by 4 additional carry-all compartments on the side for additional space and storage. Two cushioned and lined straps support this unit while a crossbody strap make shoulder carry possible, too. It also includes two makeup carry-all interior bags to transport your supplies with you at all times.

This essential routine is one makeup artists do regularly, but it should be a part of every beauty routine even if you're not applying makeup on others. That's why this resolution is one we're making with our makeup lovers in mind.

While it's easy to put off washing our tools, it can also shorten the life of your favorite brushes or, even worse, can allow bacteria to grow. Infections from personal makeup brushes may not happen often, but they can be damaging to the most sensitive areas of our face.  

A good rule of thumb is to keep a good brush cleaner and a brush sanitizer handy at all times and to make it part of your regular schedule. One of the best tips for making brush cleaning more enjoyable is to find a brush soap that you enjoy the smell of. Think of it as a self care spa moment for your brushes and your senses! One of our best sellers Crazy Merman Brush Soap comes in spa-worthy scents like Guava Fig, Calla Lily, and Lavender Basil.  

We admit, this resolution is one that is always a little hard to do because makeup is an investment, but when it's time, it's time. Most makeup products have the suggested shelf-life once opened listed on the packaging, but we know not everyone reads them. To confuse things further, some products may expire faster than others based on their ingredients.  

On average, pencil-style products should be replaced every 1-2 years. Liquid or gel eyeliners are generally best between 3-6 months. For powder products like eyeshadow and powder, you can usually use them for about 3 years. A tell-tale sign that they're ready to be replaced is that they won't blend as easily or if they become chalky and brittle. Liquid foundation tends to have a shorter life between 6 months to 1 year, and mascara can range between 3 to 6 months.

If you're unable to find the suggested time frame for your product, there are a few simple questions to ask yourself to determine if it's time to part ways:

• Has the product changed in texture or how it applies
• Has the product developed a different scent
• If it's a pencil-style product, does the product seem to break off easily each time you sharpen it
• Does the product taste different

While it's not a perfect science, if you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, you may be better off saying goodbye.

PRO Tips:

1. Write the date of purchase on the outside of each product.

2. Federal law requires all makeup products to feature a PAO (Period After Opening) or BBE (Best Before End Date) symbol. A PAO symbol applies only if the shelf life is 30 months or more. Any less and the product will feature a BBE symbol.

3. Products made from natural ingredients will include an expiration date that applies even if unopened.

4. If you can’t find an expiration date, PAO or BBE label, check for the manufacture date. This will help you to know if the product is nearing expiration, as many unused cosmetics lose their quality over time.

To answer specific questions about your makeup products, email our Beauty Advisors.

If you haven't experienced the heartache of a product being discontinued or reformulated, you still probably know how frustrating it can be when your favorite product is out of stock. That's where our Beauty Advisors come in!

Our team of makeup artists and our in-house esthetician can help find the next best thing for your favorite products that you're not able to find! Whether it be helping you shade-match a favorite foundation to finding a primer that performs just as well (if not better!) than one you are unable to find, we're here to help you with all of your beauty needs.

This resolution is one we're sharing with our pros in mind. If we've learned anything during 2021, it's that projects and jobs can be unpredictable. From last-minute bookings to extra faces to apply makeup to when we show up for a job, we could probably write a book on the things that we see on set. However, by having your key products on-hand at all times, you won't be caught off-guard and can complete just about any job that comes your way!

We've curated our most-popular kit essentials from disposables and disinfectants to skin prep and makeup cases into an easy to navigate collection on our site so you can make sure you have everything you need on hand. Click here to start exploring!

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can leave us feeling the winter blues once the NYE confetti has settled, so it's important to take the time to relax and recharge. For some, that means burning a candle in a soothing scent, while others enjoy recreating their favorite spa treatments at home. No matter what your preferred method is, remember we are able to be our most creative and ready to take on whatever the new year throws our way when we're feeling our best, so make self care a priority.

We hope that this blog has given you a few resolutions to keep in mind as we head into a new year together! Our resolution to you is to continue to find products and tools to help you elevate your artistry and to make visiting us fun and educational!

If there is anything we can help you with, we are a quick email away. Click here to send us a quick message, or click here to discover our newest arrivals.

Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.

Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.

If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.