1. Do some summer cleaning. It’s time to clean out your bathroom cabinet and pitch any products that might’ve expired. According to optometrist Dr. Susan Blakely, using expired makeup, body lotion or face cream can cause serious health risks. Explains Dr. Blakely, "Mascara can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so it’s not surprising we’ve found nearly half of women suffer from itchy, watery red eyes when they are holding onto their eye makeup for so long and sharing it amongst their friends." Here’s when to bid good-bye to your products.
   • Discard liquid foundations after six months; pressed powders and blush can go after one year of use.
   • Throw away cream eye shadow after six months, but trash liquid eye liner after three months.
   • Skin and body care products (e.g., cream, body wash) usually have a six to 12-month life span, according to CBS News. Products that have little or no preservatives will expire sooner.
   • Don’t forget about makeup tools: Toss makeup sponges after a week. Brushes are okay to keep, but make sure you’re cleaning them. CBS News suggests rinsing synthetic brushes three to four times a month, whereas natural brushes only need washing once a month.
   • Rule of thumb: If the texture has changed or it smells off, throw the product away — it’s no longer good to use on the skin.
2. Update your cut and color. For an instant fall makeover, look to autumn’s hair trends. If you’ve got shorter hair or you’re feeling a bit daring, go for a bob (longer and sleek or razor-sharp and short), fringe or pixie cut. Other fall trends include a sleek side-part and soft, romantic waves.

   Don’t stop at just a cut; go for a current color, too. This year, hot shades include dirty blonde, chocolaty browns, light auburns and jet black. It’s best to choose a shade that’s worked for you in the past or something that complements your eye color and skin tone.

3. Shop for new skincare. Just as the seasons change, your skin type also slightly alters. While summer skin might be oily, fall skin tends to get dry and flaky from the cooler weather. Pay attention to how your skin changes and prepare accordingly.

   If you’ve been using a cleansing gel with acne-fighting ingredients, it might be time to add a creamy and moisturizing cleanser to your morning routine. For a milky cleanser that’s suited for all skin types, try M.D. Forte Facial Cleanser III.

   Also, all skin types should invest in a good moisturizer. If your skin is oily, go with a light oil-free lotion. Dry skin types should get a heavier cream. Continue using a lip balm or chapstick with SPF to protect your lips from sun damage and chilly conditions.

4. Take care of your body. As the climate shifts to cool and crisp, skin becomes chapped and dry, especially elbows, hands and knees. A light moisturizer might be okay for summer months, but fall skin needs something more emulsifying. After every shower, apply L’Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream for much needed hydration.

   In addition to moisturizing, don’t forget to exfoliate twice a week. By exfoliating the entire body, you remove dead, dull skin cells and allow new, luminous skin to shine through. For an effective exfoliating product, try Philosophy Lemonade Salt Scrub.

5. Consider cooler cosmetics. Color trends for this fall include muted soft grays, gold and bronze eye color and white-gold liner. On the lips, use shades of taupe and russet pink. Lightly apply bronzer to the entire face and finish with rosy pink cheeks. For the look, try DuWop Eye Palette in Amber and Colorscience Lip Polish Wand in Tickled Pink.
6. Shape up your shower. Get ready for the fall by changing up your shower supplies from summer florals and fruits to fall fragrances like pomegranate, pumpkin and olive. These shower gel scents will certainly get you in the mood for the fall weather, football season and the holidays.
7. Freshen up your feet. With a range of outdoor activities, days at the beach and an entire season of open-toed shoes, your feet take a blistering beating during the summer. So, treat your worn-out soles to an at-home pedicure. Here’s your step-by-step guide.
   • To exfoliate your feet, toes and calves, use a foot file with any sugar or salt scrub.
   
   
   • Clean up the nail bed with clean and sanitized tools like nail clippers and orange sticks. Don’t cut the cuticle all the way back — it leaves too much room for bacteria to creep in.
   
   
   • Rinse, dry and moisturize with a rich foot cream.
   
   
   • Finish your at-home treatment with a pretty fall color like gold or dark pink.

8. Schedule a spa appointment. Before the craziness of back to school, college or long work hours begins, schedule a massage or facial at your local day spa. Many businesses have specials at the end of summer to generate lost revenue during vacation months. So, be on the lookout for fall specials or coupons for your favorite treatments. Popular services that help skin and body get ready for fall include aromatherapy massages, deep cleansing facials and exfoliating coffee body scrubs.
9. Protect your skin. Has summer taken a toll on your skin? It’s never too late to start healing the damage by investing in products that fight free radicals — which weaken skin and quicken the aging process. This fall, amp up your skincare routine with an anti-aging product like Obagi Professional-C Serum 15% Strength.

   To further defend your skin, continue using sunscreen — your number one protection against premature aging. Come rain, shine or cool temperatures, make sure to apply sunscreen to all exposed areas 20 to 30 minutes before going outdoors.

10. Finish with fragrance. Now that you’re in fashion with this season’s hottest trends, colors and products, it’s time to find a warm and spicy fragrance that emphasizes what fall is all about. Fall fragrances tend to have vanilla and patchouli undertones. When selecting a new perfume for yourself, sample it on your wrists, neck and other places you typically spray perfume. Remember, your own pheromones will change the initial fragrance, so before making a final decision, let the scent settle. If you don’t like the way you smell in 30 minutes, the fragrance might not be right for you.

Happy hunting and have a great fall!

See also:

A Great Guide for Dyeing Your Hair

Chapped Lips

Purify with Pumpkin