Whether it's a lippy or nail polish, beauty products are every woman's valued possession. Since most of them come with a hefty price tag, we tell you how to save make-up and your hard-earned money.

Cover it with a lid

Food gets soiled when exposed to air for long, so do beauty products. The key rule is to keep the enemy called air away from the products. If possible, purchase pump bottles or squeeze tubes instead of bottles with lids or caps that open up. "If you've got products with lids, handle them with clean hands and put back the lid tightly, right after using them," says Aakriti Kochar, beauty and make-up expert. "This won't allow air or dust in your products, keeping them bacteria-free," she adds.

Keep them away from heat

A sure shot way to make your cosmetics last long is to keep them away from heat and moisture; this prevents breaking up of ingredients. While you may keep your shampoo and conditioner in your shower, just make sure the caps are closed tightly to prevent air and water from getting in. There are times when you leave your make-up kit in the car or any other humid areas, making it more susceptible to exposure to dirt and bacteria. Avoid doing this. When storing perfume, keep it in a dark and cool place to enjoy the pleasant scent for long.

Customise your cosmetics

It's not over till it's over! Even cosmetics give you a chance to get creative and experimental. If your lipstick palette has hardly anything left, mix the remaining ones according to the shade you desire and you'll have a brand new shade of lipstick or blush. If your favourite nail paint is getting a little thicker, making it hard for you to apply, buy a nail polish thinner and add it to your polish, instead of discarding it completely. You can also try mixing your bronzer with moisturiser, to make a highlight for your face or a body shimmer or mix up your remaining eye shadows to make a new colour. These tricks will not only utilise the products you possess but also prolong their life.

Pick cotton wisely

Do you often use cotton balls to remove make-up or nail polish? Switch them with cotton pads as cotton balls soak up a lot of the product. So whether, it's a toner or a nail paint remover, cotton pads will ensure the product lasts longer. Moreover, cotton pads are not only cheaper but they also have a bigger surface to work with, leading to lesser usage of pads.

Make the refrigerator your new shelf

You may think of the refrigerator as a means of preserving food and drinks but how about storing your cosmetics in there? The ice box is a great storage place for beauty products, as it keeps them cool. Prolong the shelf life of nail polish, pencil liners and perfumes by keeping them in the fridge. Make sure your make-up is tightly sealed so that your perfume doesn't smell like food or vice versa.

Add some alcohol

A popular saviour, alcohol resets the product and makes it look like it was never damaged. Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol (a liquid prepared and used primarily for topical application) to a broken powder, eye shadow or blush and close it tightly. This will save you a lot of money and avoid the entire hassle of replacing the product with a new one.

Brushes too need due care

Make-up brushes aren't very cheap and hence, you need to clean them regularly so that they last longer and work better. To get rid of the excess product on your brush, tap the side of the handle against your wrist instead of blowing on our brushes. Blowing will cover them with bacteria from our mouth, which you surely wouldn't prefer. "Once a month, gently wash the bristles in light baby shampoo, reshape and lay flat on a clean towel to dry," says Kochar.