Tuesday Beauty Tips-Shelf Life of Makeup

It is important to know the shelf life of your makeup. Makeup and makeup brushes DO NOT last forever! Although cosmetics and toiletries can be expensive and hard to part with, they come in contact with germ-prone areas like your eyes, skin, mouth and fingers which can contaminate and promote bacterial growth. For health purposes, know when the appropriate time is to replace your products.

• Start with a few basic guidelines:

      - If you can't remember how long you've had a certain product or if it is over 2 or 3 years old, throw it out.
      - If the consistency, color or odor has changed at all, throw it out.
      - If it no longer performs the duty for which you purchased it, throw it out!    

• Mascara is the worst, it is a breeding ground for bacteria. It comes in direct contact with your eyes and then remains closed up in a tube. It should be replaced every 3 MONTHS!! 

• Eyeliners and lip pencils will last up to 2 years, unless they come in contact with saliva, water or get damp from contact with your eyes, in which case, replace sooner. Keep clean and sharpen often to extend shelf life.

• Lipstick will last 1 to 2 years; you can extend the shelf life by storing it in the refrigerator. Lipstick will have a peculiar smell if it goes bad.

• Foundations last longer than you'd think, up to a year, but you need to keep them clean and keep germs out of the bottle. Apply with a sponge to keep clean.

• Concealers, stick products, creams and 3-in-1 products have short shelf lives because they touch many different parts of your face and can spread germs. Wipe before each use and replace after 6 months.

• Powders, blushes and eyeshadows don't contain water and are usually applied with a brush or sponge so they stay clean and dry. They will last up to 2 years.

•  Nail polish can last up to 2 years if well kept; you can extend the shelf life by storing it in the refrigerator. If the color and oils start to separate, roll the bottle between your palms to mix, never shake. Shaking or pumping the bottle will add air to the polish and cause it to clump and harden. If polish starts to smell funny or the color becomes off, throw away.

• Always keep your makeup brushes, sponges and applicators clean. It will be hygienic for you and it will help extend the shelf life of your cosmetics. Wash your makeup brushes every 2 to 3 months in warm soapy water or with baby shampoo and replace every 3 years. Sponges should be washed every 2 weeks and rinsed in cool water but replaced every few months.  

• Go through your makeup bag regularly. Check for expiration dates and cleanliness. Decide whether or not you still use the item or still need it. Besides, who doesn't love shopping for NEW makeup!?