I have recently been thinking about the life span of my makeup. There seems to be a huge amount of products in my makeup draws that I feel I have had for years!! All of this got me thinking about how many people actually know when its time to part with your beloved products by chucking 'em in the bin!!
I have been doing a bit of research by looking at my own products and using the good old internet to see what's what. This is what I found:
Mascara:
All of my mascaras say that they should be binned after 6 months... if they last that long!! However it is recommended that mascaras are disposed of after just 2 months. The reasoning behind this is that the bacteria and bugs living on your lashes transfers onto the brush/wand and when back in the tube will spread rapidly. Gross huh!? Never ever share your mascara with your friends/family, this will make the situation so much worse and you could end up catching some nasty eye infections.
Foundation, Bronzer Blush & Concealer:
Liquid/cream/mousse: Most of my face products recommend throwing out after 12 months... that's if it hasn't dried up by this point!! A couple of my tubes state that 6 months is the using time. If your foundation has separated or has lightened, its time to wave goodbye!! Keep foundations out of sunlight to prolong the life of your product and to avoid destroying preservatives.
Powder: Some powder face products state that they can be kept and use safely for 2 years!! Look for tell tale signs of your product going off; colour change, change in consistency and smells.
Eyeshadow:
Powder: Powder or mineral shadows can be used for 2 years. I am a huge eyeshadow hoarder and have palettes from 6/7 years back. Pass me the bin!! Look for dryness/chalkiness and colour change to decipher when to part with your beloved shadows. Throw out after 2 years to be on the safe side. Clean your shadow brushes as regularly as possible to avoid bacteria build-up.
Cream/Gel/pencil: 12-24 months is the recommended life scale of any cream/gel/pencil shadows. I've noticed in the past that a lot of products are prone to drying up within about half this time. If its dry/oily, separated or has changed colour, let it meet the bin.
Eyeliner:
Liquid: Liquid eyeliners should not be kept for over a year. More often than not, they will have dried up by that time.
Gel: Gel liners shouldn't be kept for any longer than 2 years. Like gel shadows, I've found that many dry up before this time anyway. Use clean brushes when dipping into your pots and keep out of sunlight. Any change in consistency, smell or colour indicates a gone off product.
Pencil: Eyeliner pencils shouldn't be used after 24 months. Look for changes in consistency or colour to identify when its time for your pencil to find a new home in the bin.
Lipstick and Lipgloss:
Lipstick/Lip Liner: As a general rule, Lipsticks & Liners should be kept for no longer than 2 years. Imagine the amount of bacteria growing on them if you apply straight to the lips; gross!! If your lipstick has become thick or very oily and/or has become lightened its probably wise to throw it out.
Lipgloss: Lipgloss shouldn't be kept longer than a year however most of mine say 6-8 months. Again bacteria would have a field-day lurking around in those tubes. If you notice separation or again a change in consistency or colour, get rid!!
All in all, it would appear that we should be throwing out our makeup far more regularly than we probably are doing. Who can blame us for hoarding though!? Makeup and other cosmetic products can be expensive and in some cases we get far too much product to use within the time scale. It feels like a waste.
If you want to hold on to your bits and bobs a little longer than the manufacturer recommends, then fear not!! The time scale on these products is a safety guarantee. This product 'should' last this long however the manufacturer cannot guarantee it will be as safe and as effective after this time.
The way you use and apply the makeup is also a big factor in the life span. Clean your brushes regularly to ensure bacteria is kept to a minimum. Try to use clean brushes rather than your fingers and if you really need your fingers, use a new or clean tool to remove the makeup from the tub/pot/tube first so your fingers do not touch the rest of the product. Give shadows and powders a clean with a cotton pad every now and then and keep all products out of sunlight.
I have been doing a bit of research by looking at my own products and using the good old internet to see what's what. This is what I found:
All of my mascaras say that they should be binned after 6 months... if they last that long!! However it is recommended that mascaras are disposed of after just 2 months. The reasoning behind this is that the bacteria and bugs living on your lashes transfers onto the brush/wand and when back in the tube will spread rapidly. Gross huh!? Never ever share your mascara with your friends/family, this will make the situation so much worse and you could end up catching some nasty eye infections.
Foundation, Bronzer Blush & Concealer:
Liquid/cream/mousse: Most of my face products recommend throwing out after 12 months... that's if it hasn't dried up by this point!! A couple of my tubes state that 6 months is the using time. If your foundation has separated or has lightened, its time to wave goodbye!! Keep foundations out of sunlight to prolong the life of your product and to avoid destroying preservatives.
Eyeshadow:
Powder: Powder or mineral shadows can be used for 2 years. I am a huge eyeshadow hoarder and have palettes from 6/7 years back. Pass me the bin!! Look for dryness/chalkiness and colour change to decipher when to part with your beloved shadows. Throw out after 2 years to be on the safe side. Clean your shadow brushes as regularly as possible to avoid bacteria build-up.
Cream/Gel/pencil: 12-24 months is the recommended life scale of any cream/gel/pencil shadows. I've noticed in the past that a lot of products are prone to drying up within about half this time. If its dry/oily, separated or has changed colour, let it meet the bin.
Liquid: Liquid eyeliners should not be kept for over a year. More often than not, they will have dried up by that time.
Gel: Gel liners shouldn't be kept for any longer than 2 years. Like gel shadows, I've found that many dry up before this time anyway. Use clean brushes when dipping into your pots and keep out of sunlight. Any change in consistency, smell or colour indicates a gone off product.
Pencil: Eyeliner pencils shouldn't be used after 24 months. Look for changes in consistency or colour to identify when its time for your pencil to find a new home in the bin.
Lipstick/Lip Liner: As a general rule, Lipsticks & Liners should be kept for no longer than 2 years. Imagine the amount of bacteria growing on them if you apply straight to the lips; gross!! If your lipstick has become thick or very oily and/or has become lightened its probably wise to throw it out.
Lipgloss: Lipgloss shouldn't be kept longer than a year however most of mine say 6-8 months. Again bacteria would have a field-day lurking around in those tubes. If you notice separation or again a change in consistency or colour, get rid!!
All in all, it would appear that we should be throwing out our makeup far more regularly than we probably are doing. Who can blame us for hoarding though!? Makeup and other cosmetic products can be expensive and in some cases we get far too much product to use within the time scale. It feels like a waste.
If you want to hold on to your bits and bobs a little longer than the manufacturer recommends, then fear not!! The time scale on these products is a safety guarantee. This product 'should' last this long however the manufacturer cannot guarantee it will be as safe and as effective after this time.
The way you use and apply the makeup is also a big factor in the life span. Clean your brushes regularly to ensure bacteria is kept to a minimum. Try to use clean brushes rather than your fingers and if you really need your fingers, use a new or clean tool to remove the makeup from the tub/pot/tube first so your fingers do not touch the rest of the product. Give shadows and powders a clean with a cotton pad every now and then and keep all products out of sunlight.
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