Should you toss it?

If your like me, you keep your makeup for so long because you "might" need it someday.  When that someday comes along, you say to yourself, "OMG where is my Icy Blue eyeshadow with the matching neon blue mascara from 10th grade?"  Okay, I don't really keep it that long, but you get my drift.  So I put a list together of each beauty product and when you should toss it, for health purposes:

SHELF LIFE OF BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Most makeup packaging includes a small symbol that tells you how long the product will last after opening. The symbol looks like a jar with the lid open, with an "M" preceded by a number, such as 12M, which means 12 months from first opening. These are only guidelines from my research.

FOUNDATION:

12 – 18 months, or if you see a change in color or consistency. If you look at the ingredients and it is water based, 12 months. If it is oil based, 18 months.

LIPSTICK:

1 - 2 years, or when you see a change in color or consistency.

LIP LINER:

About 1 year if sharpened regularly. Also, dip any pencil beauty product in alcohol after every use to prevent bacteria.

MASCARA:

Usually about 2- 4 months, or if it starts clumping, flaking, becomes dry or smells bad. Mascara is the one beauty product that expires the soonest.

EYELINER:

3 – 6 months if sharpened regularly. Also dip in alcohol after every use.

NAIL POLISH:

To be on the safe side they say 2 to 3 years, but I keep reading that nail polish never goes bad, after opening or ever.  This is because the solvents are chemically hostile to microbes.  Research shows clearly that microbes don't survive in nail polish, whether in a salon environment or even if deliberately contaminated in a laboratory test.  You can add a little nail polish remover to the bottle if it gets too thick, if you really want to extend it.

EYESHADOW:

2 - 3 years, or when you notice a loss of pigment or it becomes dry.

CONCEALER:

Up to 12 months.

POWDER:

2 years.

CREAM & GEL CLEANSERS:

About 1 year, or if it smells bad before 12 months.

BRUSHES:

Wash every 2 -3 months in mild detergent.

SPONGES:

Wash weekly and discard monthly.

Beauty products stored in high heat will expire faster. Store your makeup products in a plastic container or one made for makeup storage. You can either tape a piece of paper to the back and keep a log of every product you purchase and the date you started using it or opened it. Or you can keep individual stickers on each product with the date of purchase on it. You can buy these stickers at any office supply store or there is a website called Beauty Alert that sells these stickers specifically for this use.

One last note, just try not to share your cosmetics and if you do, sharpen eyeliners & lip liners, dip in alcohol and use Q-tips, don’t share applicators.


Lori