How to track your makeup and skincare on iPhone, step by step

Why not just use Notes or a spreadsheet?

Both are fine for a list, but neither calculates expiry dates, reminds you before a product goes off, or shows a photo when you’re standing in a store wondering whether you already own that shade. A dedicated tracker does all of that automatically.

Step 1. Install the app

Download Beauty B#tch from the App Store. It’s free to download; the full version is a one-time purchase, with no subscription.

Step 2. Add your products

Start with what you use every day, then add the rest over time. For each product, add:

• a name and brand, and a category such as makeup, face care or hair care;
• one or more photos;
• a limited edition mark if you can’t rebuy it.

Step 3. Set the expiry date

You have two options:

• enter the date printed on the packaging, or
• enter the opening date and the period after opening — the PAO number from the open-jar icon, like 12M.

The app calculates the date for you. Not sure what the icon means? Here’s our guide to PAO and makeup expiry dates.

Step 4. Turn on reminders

Allow notifications, and the app will tell you when it’s time to replace your mascara. The home screen also shows how many products have expired and how many expire soon.

Step 5. Build a wishlist and a shopping list

Save products you want with a priority, an approximate price and the stores that sell them. Move the ones you’re ready to buy to the shopping list — it’s a handy way to stick to a low-buy.

Step 6. Rate what you finish

When a product runs out, move it to the archive and give it a rating. Over time you’ll have your own list of favorites and products you’ll never buy again.

Step 7. Add beauty appointments

Nails, brows, pedicure — save the appointment and get a reminder in time.

Step 8. Turn on iCloud sync

Sync keeps your data in your own iCloud, so it moves with you to a new iPhone. Nothing is uploaded to the developer’s servers — see the privacy policy.