Does makeup expire?

Does makeup really expire?

Ok, I admit it, I have like hoards of makeup stashed in my cupboards and I’m sure some of it has expired and needs to be thrown out, but, oh that packaging is just so pretty! And well maybe I will wear that electric blue eyeliner sometime… (maybe it’s best if I keep my wild colors for creative photoshoots with models!)

Unfortunately not all makeup products come with an expiration date marked on their packaging and there are so many conflicting articles on the internet about how long you should keep your makeup. On one site it recommends tossing eyeshadow after 3-4 months (yikes a $55 Dior palette every few moths?!) and 2-3 years on another. I say throw caution to the wind, I mean who hasn’t eaten a yogurt that had expired. (ok maybe I’m crazy, but don’t you sometimes smell things before eating them to make sure they haven’t gone bad?) Although there are guidelines, which I have mentioned previously in this post, it may be better to use those general expiration guides with a dose of knowledge about what to look for when a product has past it’s prime. So to recap:

MASCARA

These really are recommended to be tossed after 2-3 months as they are in contact with the eyes and the fact that the wand introduces bacteria back into the mascara every time you use it. I carry extra new mascara wands in my makeup kit for my clients and many times I may use the client’s own. Don’t despair if you love a particular wand, you can always clean it completely and use it in other mascaras. It’s all about the wand anyway. Mascara that has gone off has a kind of gasoline smell but if you are trading them if couple of months that shouldn’t ever happen.

EYELINER

These makeup tools also come in contact with your eyes especially if you use them to tight line (drawing on the waterline). For pencil eyeliners, the best way to keep them clean is to sharpen before each use, which is what makeup artists do to avoid bacteria. If you start to see a whitish cast to the pencil and it can’t be sharpened off then it’s time to toss. As for liquid liners, they are similar to mascaras in the sense that they should be replaced every 2-3 months, but if you rarely use it expect for those special occasions that call for a cat eye, keep in mind they do eventually dry out. And, of course if you have an eye infection (conjunctivitis) or a stie, toss any eye makeup that may have been contaminated.

FOUNDATION

An unopened liquid foundation can last a couple of years but once opened they are best used within a year or so, since bacteria can breed in it’s moist, water based environment. You can tell if your foundation needs to be tossed if it separates or the color changes. It’s best to keep it away from hot and steamy places, and that goes for any makeup product. Makeup kept in a hot car in the summer will definitely have a much shorter shelf life. Always avoid applying to broken skin. If you have to conceal a scratch or cut, don’t apply a stick foundation or concealer directly, that’s a sure way to contaminate your product. Use a clean concealer brush to apply to the area and no double dipping!

BLUSH

Cream blushes don’t last as long as powder ones. The best way to avoid contamination is to use clean makeup brushes or sponges. Powder formulations last a very long time ( a few years or more) and using clean makeup brushes can help keep bacteria away.

EYESHADOW

Even though these products are used on the eyes and run the risk of transferring bacteria from the eye to the product and then back again, powder eyeshadows can last years. The best way to keep them bacteria free is to always use clean brushes, never use them if you have an eye infection and if you are a super clean freak you can spray them with this ingenious cosmetic sanitizer mist from BeautySoClean.

LIPSTICK

These oil based products can last a long time but since they do come in contact with the mouth it’s best to toss them if you have been sick or had a cold sore. Ditto for lip liners and glosses. Lipsticks can start to smell oily if they are past their prime and their texture changes, even becoming hard.

MAKEUP BRUSHES

I wash my brushes after every job and I keep several of the same brushes in my kit so that if I have more than one model I can have a set for each. Cleaning your brushes will really help to keep bacteria from being reintroduced into your makeup. For personal brushes I would say a weekly cleaning is good and you don’t need a fancy product, just some gentle shampoo. How to tell if it’s time to toss them? If they start to lose their hairs or fray. The same goes for the BeautyBlender, wash it after every use. I find the cleanser that comes with it to works the best and make sure to dry it thoroughly, I had one that grew mold (horrors of all horrors!) because it wasn’t dry enough before putting it back in a ziplock bag!

So it’s September, maybe it’s time to attack those cupboards loaded with makeup!