Is your makeup bag full of shadows, lipsticks, liners, glosses & other costmetics that have been there from the beginning of time? Are there some you keep fresh and others you simply allow to age? What are the affects of old makeup on your skin? When should you toss them and when should you keep them? All these questions are answered here!
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Mascara: Toss after 3 months. Mascara can transfer bacteria back and forth from your eye into the mascara tube, so it is important to discard after 3 months. If your mascara starts to dry out or smell before the 3 months is up, throw it away. Don’t add water or saliva to your mascara to rewet it. Doing so will only increase your chances of getting an eye infection.
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Eye pencils: Eye pencils can be kept up to 1 year. Be sure to using a clean tip; sharpen before each application.
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Eye shadows: Keep applicators clean and the liquid shadows should last 12 months. Powder shadows will keep 2 years.
If you’ve had an eye infection, you’ll need to throw out ALL eye make up and applicators you used from the time you developed symptoms. The virus or bacteria that caused the infection has probably taken up residence in your make up, so using those cosmetics again could cause you to develop another infection.
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Lipsticks: lipsticks and lip pencils can be kept for 2 years. As with eye pencils, sharpen your lip pencils before each use. Wipe lipsticks with a wet wipe after each use.
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Blushes and powders: Discard your cream blushes after a year, powder blushes and powders after 2 years.
Think of your make up a bit like you do your food. If it smells weird, develops a film, or has a mold-green tint to it, it’s gone bad and needs to be tossed out.
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Foundations and concealers: Moisturizing foundations and stick concealers can last for 18 months. A 12-month shelf life applies to both oil-free foundations, which can dry out quickly, and liquid concealers.
Using clean brushes and sponges will help lengthen the life of your cosmetics. Be sure and wash or replace your applicators frequently.
Most people store their makeup in the bathroom, which is the worst place to store it. I recommend storing makeup in a dark, dry atmosphere such as a drawer in your bedroom. When makeup is exposed to moisture it can absorb the moisture and cause it to mold quickly.
Why is it important to keep your makeup fresh? By keeping makeup that is old it can increase bacteria which can be transferred to your skin and cause breakouts.
By: Wendy Anguiano, Fashion Stylist
