The Shelf Life of Your Makeup Products

Believe it or not, our beloved makeup does have an expiry date and one day we will have to say goodbye to it (by tossing it in the bin, how romantic!). Throwing out your products will prevent bacteria build-up that causes infections – which aren’t so pretty. Luckily, some products last longer than others, and here’s a little guide to know when to toss out your makeup.

• Liquid eyeliner: 3-6 months. Since it’s liquid, the same ‘rules’ for mascara apply here.

• Mascara: 3-6 months. Mascaras are normally the first one to migrate from your makeup bag to the dump, because of its constant, close contain to your eyes. The pumping action when getting product also makes it a breeding ground for bacteria since it’s so moist. The absolute maximum is 6 months, though you should throw them out around 3 months. Oh yes, and NEVER share mascara unless you want to pass around eye infections.

• Eye shadow: 2 years. Powder forms can last for quite awhile since it is pressed powder. However, if any signs of an eye infection – dump it!

• Foundation: 2 years. Two years max! Oil free foundations have a shorter life span as they dry out quicker, but anytime your foundation starts to smell, turn another color or changes it’s texture, it’s time to change!

• Concealer: 1 year. If it’s one of those turn-up applicators, you’re quite safe to use it until it’s at the end since the product below doesn’t have exposure til then. However, those pots (something like Boi-ing) could be used til it’s finished, but risks breeding bacteria thanks to your fingers constantly rubbing on the product (or worse, a concealer with a wand applicator that touches your blemishes everytime, only to go back into it’s tube!). To prolong the lifespan of your concealer, try applying it with a concealer brush that you clean regularly.

• Blush: 1-3 years. Creams: 1 year. They usually have a higher oil content that could turn nasty after constant handling, and it’s exposure to heat. Powders: 2-3 years. Powder can last much longer, though the absolute maximum would be 3 years, since your natural skin oils are being put back and forth to the pan and your skin. (Unless you clean your brushes everytime, which is hard!)

• Lip gloss: 6 months? I’ve read that the most is 6 months, but there seems to not be a certain time-span. So I say,  use it ’til it’s finished, or until it starts to smell or change color. Anyways, I know you lipgloss addicts, you find a better one before the tube finishes! ;)

• Lipstick: 3 years. They are typically very long lasting because of the way the pigment and fat are formulated together. Store your lipsticks in your fridge to make them last longer. And again, if they start to smell and have changed color, dump it.

How often do you throw out your stuff? And what have you throw out recently? Yesterday I dumped two mascaras, they smelt awful and were about 5 months old! :-P

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