A popular topic where beauty products are concerned these days is their preservation. It is important for women to know if their products are harboring germs or when they stop doing their jobs. Although cosmetics are usually loaded with preservatives to keep them from spoiling, there is a time to toss out your products and replace them. But, no one wants to spend endless dollars on makeup, only to have to continuously replace it, so Nancy Dawson of BRIDEface offers interesting tips and information on how to preserve and when to toss your favorite products.

The means of storing products pertains to shelf life. Oddly enough, bathrooms may not be the best place to store your cosmetics when trying to preserve them. "Bathrooms, the most popular place for us to store and apply makeup, can speed up the expiration of cosmetics due to the amount of moisture," Dawson says. "Products tend to last longer when they are stored in a dry, cool place."

Another great tip to help in the preservation of makeup is to be meticulous with its application. "The way in which you use a particular product really dictates its preservation," says Dawson. "Using sloppy application habits will contaminate your makeup and increase the spreading of germs."

If makeup is a cream base in a jar, try to remove it from its container with a q-tip rather than fingers. It's the same for a crème or a powder compact: Use disposable sponges instead of those that come with a compact. Minimize any direct contact to skin to allow the product to last longer.

It is important that the tools used for application are clean. Dirty brushes can leave a film on the surface of pressed powder, while swirling dirty brushes into the lid of a loose powder can contaminate your product. To combat this, wash brushes more often. You can also periodically shave off the top layer gently with a butter knife. "I like to shampoo my brushes every couple of weeks in Dawn or baby shampoo. Swish them in a cup of soap or warm water and then rinse carefully. Reshape with your fingers and let the bristles hang over the edge of counters while drying," Dawson says.

Although there are no real dangers involved in using products that are past their prime, they could be the cause of breakouts, allergic reactions or simply not having true color or its normal staying power. Mascara and liquid liners are the products with the shortest shelf life. They are applied to the eye and then the wand is put directly back into the tube, a breeding ground for germs.

When determining when to pitch your products, it is also important to take note of containers and ingredients. With products such as foundation, you are safer going with a pump bottle or a squeeze tube. Foundations with SPF separate faster, as do "moisturizing" formulas, while oil-free products tend to hold integrity longer. Concealer that comes in a squeeze tube tends to stay fresh and clean much longer than a roll-up stick, a creamy pot or a wand style that is used directly on the skin.

Through BRIDEface and FACEing parties, Dawson provides makeup coaching individually or in small groups. Clients bring their current products to learn what they need, if they have the right tools and correct shades and how to use what they have. Clients are walked through the steps and they leave with a detailed shopping list and cheat sheet to help them best recreate their look at home. "So many of us have great stuff but have no idea how to use it or don't buy colors that [bring out] our best. I also advise what you can scrap, but also what products are worth the splurge.There are so many great finds out there, but girls need to know what to look for," says Dawson.