We change out our clothes, shoes & even our bags with each season, but how often do we change out our makeup?! I started thinking about my current beauty favorites and doing a mental timeline of just how long I’ve had them. Some of the time blended together and that can’t be good for my skin!!
For me, makeup is an extension of my look and the tools (beauty products) are an investment in my face…so they should be in perfect condition right!? Some items (mascara) I know how long I should keep but others I had no clue – so I wanted to share my findings with you!
Mascara: This beauty product should be replaced the most often. If you’re wondering what you can do to extend the life just a bit more – never pump the brush in and out – that lets the air in which also allows bacteria. Also worth mentioning, never share your mascara!
Eyeliner: It should be noted that there is a difference with the shelf life of a pencil compared to liquid liner! The liquid liner will develop bacteria faster than a pencil or retractable eyeliner. The pencil liner will have the longest product use because you’re sharpener will remove the bacteria with each sharpening.
Liquid Foundation: Depending on the base of your foundation it can vary the life of your product by up to 6 months. Oil based foundations are good for up to 18 months, while water based foundations should be used before the year mark.
Lip Gloss: You know that lip gloss you just found at the bottom of your purse from two years ago – well odds are it’s pretty sticky and not so good to use!! I am guilty of hoarding my glosses – but just managed to throw out about 5 that I no longer use and have had for far too long!
Lipstick: Lipstick has a bit longer shelf life – but it’s time to throw out the tube when you apply it and it makes your lips super dry or flakes them!
Nail Polish: Although I have a rather large polish collection – I purge an old polish every time a new one is purchased. Once your see the color drying out or getting clumpy, its time to toss it!! A tip for extending the life of the polish is to buy a nail polish thinner from a beauty supply store to de-clump it!
Eye Shadows / Powders: The life of these can be extended merely by using clean brushes so that bacteria doesn’t build up in the palette or compact. If using a powder foundation, make sure to clean or toss out the used blender after a month of use.
Brushes: This one is ultimately up to your care for the brushes. The better you are at taking care of them – the longer they’ll last. Simple techniques work well – just make sure to clean a few times a month!
*Bonus*- Perfumes!! Although most of the time I end up using my favorite fragrances well before the 10 year mark – it was nice to know they are able to hold their smell for that amount of time!!
What beauty products are you using that should have been tossed a while ago? Were you surprised by the shelf life of any of the ones mentioned?
xo,
Great post girl! I think I use up most of my stuff before the shelf life expires on it. Although the only reason I go through mascara that quickly is because I usually only use the sample or trial tubes! 🙂 Have found one I'm completely in love with yet!
<3, Pamela
sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com
Thanks for the tips! I feel like my mascara is always done by 3 months anyway. XO
This is such a great reminder! I do use mascara on the reg so 3 months isn't a problem for me usually 😉 The one good thing? I guess about FL is the humidity reminds you of shelf life of things because opening that old nail polish in the back of your drawer and it comes out like glue…..yup time to toss (as I'm sure you well remember). Loving that collage pinned it! xoxoxo
I love this and it looks like I have some products to throw out whenever my little one takes a nap!
I am so bad at following these! I'm only good about getting a new mascara and I keep lipstick and eyeshadow forever! It's good to see the reminder. I was just getting ready to clean out my bathroom/makeup stuff this weekend too!
Ummmmmmmmmm yeah…..I'm so bad about this for the most part. I go through mascara like whoa, and I'm pretty religious about cleaning my brushes twice a month, everything else, not so much. I think I found an eye shadow from college the other day….ooops!
I know all this is so true and we are all guilty of hanging on to our makeup for too long. I know I keep my eyeliners longer and I'm sure I have eyeshadows from college!! ha
This is such a good reminder, I'm really good at tossing out body and face care products that I've had for a little bit too long but I tend to hold on to makeup longer- probably because it's usually more expensive! I always wish they made blushes in smaller pots, because I NEVER come close to using a full blush and I love having so many different shades!
i regularly sanitize my stuff, but i hold onto my shadow palettes. i just can't ever throw them out!
I always change out my mascara when it starts to clump more on my lashes. Who knows if that's the right time! And I definitely use eye liner way too long. So gross to think how much bacteria is on everything!
Love this post! I usually am pretty good with this just because I use it up before the shelf life, especially mascara! As soon as it starts to get dry I toss it because I can't stand dry mascara!
<3 Shannon
Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com
I think I hold onto my makeup too long but I go through mascara like crazy. I like variety so I never finish it before the date. Guess I need to clean it up.
This is such a good post! I don't think many people realize how often some things need to be replaced…I know I've been a culprit of keeping mascara and eyeliner WAY too long!
I definitely am guilty of keeping some of my beauty products well past the shelf life, but I know I need to be better about it. I didn't realize that a liquid eyeliner can get gross and get bacteria sooner than a pencil liner – I would have thought it would be the other way around!
i am so bad about holding on to things for longer than i am supposed to, especially mascara. i share makeup no worries, but never ever mascara and a 'friend' of mine just grabbed my mascara once and after she used it i made an obvious point of throwing it out. rude! and disgusting.
I've always wondered about the expiration date of some of these… I think it's time for me to throw out my eyeliner!! I've had it forever!
This is such an amazing post, thank for sharing, I always come across old makeup and never know whether it is safe to use it. This is such a great post to reference.
Good to know. I may or may not be guilty of letting a few of these "expire" though. 🙂 Good reference post!
Great and informative post, I had no idea on a few of them. I think I have some lip glosses and mascaras that should probably be tossed haha.
Very informative post. I had no idea that perfume lasts 10 years. Good to know as i do have one bottle that is four years old. I too have some lip glosses that need to be tossed.
Best, Mree
Yeah I definitely have some lip glosses that are like 5 years old haha. I definitely replace mascara and foundation at the appropriate time though! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
nailpolish 2 years really?? i would have thought much sooner because mine does clump and i have tried the nail polish trick and it doesn't really work at least for me
this is awesome!! I really had no idea! I need to clean out some of my make up asap!
great tips!! i am going to go through my drawers tonight!! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
I'm awful at keeping mascara way too long. And I just read that you aren't supposed to put nail polish in the refrigerator (I don't, but people swear by it) since it makes it super goopy. Who knew ha.
Great info! Thanks for sharing! I know I keep stuff way too long! I actually don't think I do with mascara because it starts to dry out. I know I've had my bronzer and eye shadow WAY too long!
i'm a little more lax with powders but i never mess around with eye stuff; ain't nobody got time for an eye infection!
-kathy
Vodka and Soda
Eek I don't even want to admit what I am guilty to on here! I think I have a lot of cleaning out to do in my bag tonight!
Biana! What a great post- I had no idea about some of these and I'm def guilty of keeping some too long. Way to get me thinking! (or shopping for new ones haha) xoxo
Great post darling, I literarly use my mascara befor than 2 month, but I do keep some makeup forever, like the power or blush I feel guilty to keep them forever, but is because I only use Estée Lauder product, I feel like it will be a crime not to keep them hahaha
Great interesting post darling
Keep the work 🙂
xoxo
stunningchic.com/
Ummmm so I apparently need to throw out a large amount of my makeup….AHHH so gross! I am glad to know this info haha thank you for sharing!
Maggie
PolishedClosets.com
I am the WORST at this. I will literally keep makeup for years. I know… it's gross! haha
So helpful! I keep my makeup way too long!
I definitely need a good makeup purge! I have drawers, yes DRAWERS, full of makeup. It's an addiction. Most of my collection is palettes, or blushes/bronzers, and are still in good shape, but I could still use to get rid of lots!! My friends & family actually come and shop my collection before going to the store to buy anything…it's ridiculous! Lol
I'm not going to lie… I have nail polish that is like 5 yrs old!! Ha!
I really need to pay better attention to those dates! I have things that are much older than they are supposed to be! Eeek!