It’s time for spring beauty cleaning! Check off the contents of your vanity against this must-have list

Let’s face it, we’re all guilty of holding onto cosmetics and skincare potions past their prime, both in terms of shelf life (hint, mascara lasts six months max) and trendiness. But it’s spring—time to purge your vanity, making room for new formulas that will revolutionize your routine. But where to start?

At all Nordstrom locations (and online), beauty stylists, trained in every beauty brand the department store carries, are on hand to help with this confusing process. We’ve asked Cheri Botiz, Nordstrom’s national beauty and fragrance director, to lend some unbiased guidance. “Even I’m guilty of using the same stuff every day, I need to push myself to try new things,” she admits. “Instead of buying a new handbag, adding a pop of coral lipstick helps you feel more confident and inspired.”

In terms of what every woman needs, Botiz’s No. 1 recommendation is a Clarisonic brush: “If you buy one thing it should be a Clarisonic. It makes a huge difference in keeping your skin fresh, exfoliated and youthful.” Serums, like Dior’s One Essential, are a close second. “I’m really sold on serums, and I think people don’t realize the benefit until they use it and then stop for a week,” she adds.

Other skincare musts include a good cleanser (like Kate Somerville Gentle Cleanser and the top-selling Purity by Philosophy); moisturizer, “from Crème de la Mer down to Dramatically Different from Clinique;” an exfoliant or peel (one of the most popular is by Dr. Gross); and sunscreen. “I don’t care what skin tone you have, everyone needs to use a sunscreen daily,” says Botiz, who notices customers gravitating heavily toward BB creams (especially Estee Lauder’s) for their all-in-one attributes, adding her hope that by fall we’ll see darker shades added.

A wonder-working mascara should be a no-brainer makeup bag staple. Botiz calls out Lancome’s Hypnose Drama mascara as a Nordstrom favorite, adding that eyelash curlers (Shiseido’s is a top pick) are greatly underused. Also make sure you have a good liner, like MAC’s Smolder, and brow pencil or gel by the ever-popular Anastasia: “Brows really frame the face and give a finished, polished look when they’re groomed, so don’t over-tweeze.”

In addition, “everyone needs a great bronzing powder like Guerlain’s—you can use it as a blush, all over, to contour and even on your eyes.” Tinted moisturizers, including one by NARS, are big right now, and never underestimate the importance of a great concealer, like Bobbi Brown’s. As for the lips, Chanel’s Coco Rouge Shine and Dior Addict lipsticks are Botiz’s runaway picks. When cleaning out your bag, be sure you have a powder brush, blush brush, eye shadow brush and brow brush. If not, head to MAC and Chanel counters. And remember, don’t keep anything over two years, and store products in a cool environment away from humidity and sunlight so bacteria doesn’t set in.