Hey dolls! Here are some tips regarding the shelf life of your beauty products.
There are makeup junkies and then there are hardcore makeup junkies. While some are just plain hoarders, who just love to collect make-up. A makeup junkie may innocently just have a habit, while the hard core makeup junkie will amass a pile totaling a whole lot of mula!. The benefit of the doubt may be applied in some instances, as sometimes things may be bought and end up hardly being used (yes, I'm guilty of that too). An occasion may even determine, when a product should be used or sometimes just simply waiting for the perfect time - to wear that shade of red lipstick. Those ‘some days’ just may never come, which may lead to piles
of makeup - that in the end may not be used.
Here are some tips on how to detect expiration date, when and why to toss and how to take care of products so they have a longer shelf life.
1. Why toss? Picture yourself holding an expired carton of milk to your nose, you smell it? Well just like that, beauty products also have a shelf life and they do expire. Using old products can expose your skin to all sorts of bacteria, that can lead to acne and other skin breakouts. So just be ruthless and toss out all expired products - I hear you gasp and dash for your favorite Chanel lipstick or Urban decay palette. No worries you'll be fine...this is for your best interest ;).
2. What is an expiration date? First lets start with the production date, this is simply when a product was manufactured. To be more precise, a date may be printed on the package, which would indicate the date a batch of cosmetics was produced...but oddly sometimes I find for some strange reason this is usually omitted.
As for the expiration date, its the date after which your cosmetic product will expire. So once this date has passed, product should not be used anymore. If this date isn't printed what will apply is PAO - this is the period after
opening. Cosmetic manufacturers specify period after opening (PAO), by placing an “open jar” with a number followed by the letter M. The number indicates how many months the product can be safely used
for after opening.
3. Eye liner – Every 2 years this should be replaced also sharpen regularly - to preserve and keep them clean. Push-up/retractable can also be safely kept for as long as two years also.
4. Liquid eyeliner and mascara - These have the shortest shelf life of all the beauty products. Bacteria loves moisture, and because the makeup of these products is liquid, they will easily attract bacteria. Replace these every 3 - 6 months, whether they have been used or not!.
5. Foundation - Can last as long as 2 years, throw out anything that’s changed consistency or starts to smell bad. Also storing your liquid foundation in the fridge, will ensure a longer shelf life. By doing this, it will prevent the product from separating and make it last nearly 2x as long! Oil-free foundations are usually the first to go, as time goes by they become less effective. Tossing them after 1 year would be good, especially if they begin to smell funny. Cake, cream or compact foundations will last a little longer but can spoil faster if it gets damp (which happens if you use a wet sponge to apply). To cut down on the risk of bacterial infections, be sure to wash all foundation sponges/wedges once a week.
6. Concealer - This can be used up to 12 months. If you use your fingers, no matter the formula (Stick, cream, tube or wand) make sure to ALWAYS clean your hands. As with foundation, if your liquid concealer begins to smell funny, separate, or become lumpy then toss it out and pick up a new one.
8. Blush - Powder formulas last as long as 3 years while cream blush needs to be replaced 9-12 months. Also check for it being dried out, the ones that have high oil content will grow “rancid” faster.
9. Lipgloss and Lipstick - Each time you use the wand on your lips and put it back in the bottle, you contaminate the product. The lips contain a lot of bacteria, because of the saliva, so those that come in tubes are only slightly safer. Lipgloss can last up to 2 years the most. As for lipsticks, because of the ingredients and formulation, lipsticks last longer than lip gloss. These can last up to 4 years...However, remember that milk test I told you to do? yes, the nose knows: throw away any lipstick that smells funny.
10. Powders - Under good conditions, the shelf life of powder is a bit longer. Loose powder may be kept for up to 3 years, however ideally all powders should be tossed after a certain period – compact and pressed – after 2 years. Bronzing powders can go up to 6 months, try not to to get packages that are too big, as these will not be used in winter months.
Shelf life for other beauty products:
Sunblock – 1 year (don't let it exceed one season - eg. when summer is over, replace it with another), but always check package for expiration date.
Skin care products (wrinkle, anti-aging, acne, moisturizer etc.) in a bottle with a pump – 3 months - 1 year, in a jar – 6 to 10 months. These products easily oxidize as they are antioxidants, so always lookout for any changes in color.
Shaving cream - up to 2 years.
Body lotion - If its particularly in a pump, 2 - 3 years
Shampoo and conditioner - 3 years the most.
Shower gel - 3 years.
Bar soap - 3 years.
Deodorant - Up tp 2 years.
Hairstyling products: Most are alcohol based so this helps in preserving the formula...these can last 3 to 5 years.
Shaving cream - Up to 2 years.
Perfumes – up to 3 years.
Nail polish – 1 year
Sunblock – 1 year (don't let it exceed one season - eg. when summer is over, replace it with another)
If purse strings are tight, next post will be how to replace tossed items on a budget.
Check video below, as I demonstrate a makeup trick with my eyeliner and how I prep it before usage.
Hope these helped!
xxo
G
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