Out with the Old Make-Up

January 2, 2015

It’s a new year and time to organize a bit and refresh your life. Why not make your make-up bag a fun new project. Make-Up does expire. In fact I was surprised how quickly make-up does expire and you need to toss it even if you love it. I can’t believe that gel eye liner should be tossed in two months after opening. Geesh!

Expired Make-Up 101

Make Up Expiration Dates

Foundation: 3-12 months. I normally go through a foundation between 6-12 months so unless it smells funny or separates I will keep until it’s gone. I keep all my make-up in a cool dark place so the sunlight/UV rays can’t destroy the preservatives in the product.

Concealer: Wand applicator concealers should be tossed within 6 months since they’re likely to grow bacteria. Compact, stick, or twist-ups concealers can last up to 12 months, especially if you use a clean makeup brush to apply the product. Just think of double dipping at a party and avoid that with food and make-up.

Pressed powder cosmetics: Facial powder, blush and eyeshadow should be thrown out after 1 year. If you get an eye infection, however, you’ll have to toss out any eyeshadow you’ve used, to avoid re-infecting yourself. Expired pressed products get more dry and flaky as they age. If you use clean makeup brushes the products last longer, normally blend much better, and keep sanitized so you break out less.

Lip gloss and lipstick: 1 -2 years. Experts vary on how long you should keep a creamy products that touches your lips. Saliva is something that can harbor germs. Again, think of that dip at a party that has seen it’s far share of double dipping. Eeew! Lip gloss should be tossed after one year, but that makes sense especially with dipping the wand daily into the product. If you r lipsticks become dry or the gloss gets extra sticky then they have gone bad.

TIP: When testing out shades at the makeup counter is ok but NEVER apply directly to your lips. Ask to have the product disinfected and then used a disposable applicator and get a lot of product on the applicator the first time so you don’t double dip.

Mascara: You should always replace mascara after 3 months, but some say 4 months. I say 4 months unless it becomes dry, or you develop an eye infection, or smells funny. Remember: Never, ever share mascara!

Eye and lip pencils: If you sharpen them every few days, makeup pencils can last a year or longer. I only sharpedn every few weeks, and I’m buying the twist up products more and more. It’s time to trash them when they become dry, crumbly, and hard to apply.
All-natural cosmetics: Because these products do not contain preservatives, they should be used or discarded within 6 months.

Nail Polish: 1-2 years. When the polish separates or gets thick and goopy it’s time to toss it.

Perfume: 8-10 years. Thank goodness! Perfume is expensive. If they start to smell different, or change color they are expired. Store them in cool dark places like your medicine cabinet. I guess displaying them on a pretty silver tray on your dresser isn’t the best place to make them last long.

Lotion: 2 years. If the color or scent is changed that it’s expired! Go for a pump rather than a jar to keep bacteria at bay.

Use a sharpie to write the date you opened the product or even the date when you should toss it.
Here are some more tips that will help you make the most of your makeup:
1. Don’t EVER share cosmetics.
2. Don’t put your fingers into the product. Use the applicator
provided, or a makeup sponge. I see many makup artist pump a liquid product on the back of their hand to refrain from cross contamination.
3. Keep containers tightly closed, and store them in a cool, dry place. The sun damages the products and reduces the life span.
4. Don’t use water or saliva to ease the application of a product. Doing so
introduces bacteria into the product, which can cause a host of problems. Plus then you change the formula of your favorite product.
5. Immediately toss the product out if there is a change of color, texture,
or consistency; if the ingredients settle or separate; or if an odor develops.

Most products has this little icon the bottom. The number is how many months. So a little open bottle with a “12 M” inside means the products is good for 12 months after opening.

Shara

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Colleen Houck

Colleen's blog

Out with the Old Make-Up

January 2, 2015

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Shara Lane