7 Tips for Telling when It's Time to Replace Your Old Makeup ...

By Alison

Every girl needs to clean out her makeup bag regularly, and get rid of any makeup that's past its best. Using makeup that's too old can cause skin infections, or the consistency may be spoiled. So should you trust the use-by dates on makeup, and how else can you tell that your mascara or foundation needs replacing? Here are some tips to help …

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1

Throw That Frightful Foundation

Throw That Frightful Foundation Liquid foundation tends to spoil sooner than powder foundation, because of the water content. So pay attention to when you opened it; you shouldn't keep water-based foundation more than a year after you opened the tube. Oil-based foundation will last up to six months longer. If it's going bad, you'll find that the foundation has separated or that the color has changed, so it's time to toss it out.

2

Retire a Mature Mascara

Retire a Mature Mascara Mascara has a very short shelf-life, so if you don't use it often then stick to cheaper brands that you don't mind throwing away without finishing them. Keep it no longer than 3-4 months after opening and get rid if it smells bad. Since it goes near your eyes (and sometimes in them!), it's not worth taking any chances with mascara, as it can easily get bacteria inside.

3

Lob That Liner in the Bin

Lob That Liner in the Bin Here's another eye product that you shouldn't use if it's past its best. Liquid liner will start to dry up or clump, while pencil liner may develop a white film that you can't get rid of even when you sharpen it. Keep your liner longer-lasting by sharpening it regularly, and always pop the lid back on.

4

Love May Last a Lifetime, but Lipstick Doesn't

Love May Last a Lifetime, but Lipstick Doesn't Is your makeup bag full of ancient half-used lipsticks? Bin them. Lipstick should last a year, but if it's showing signs of getting hardened then it's time for your lippy to go. To keep it in good shape, use a clean brush, and if you've got a cold or lip sore then use a cotton bud to apply your lipstick.

5

Everlasting Eyeshadow? Alas, No

Everlasting Eyeshadow? Alas, No Your cream-based eyeshadow should bid farewell to your makeup bag once it hits its first birthday. A powder eyeshadow can make it to birthday number two. But since shadow goes near your eye, it's really important to keep it free of bacteria by using clean brushes.

Famous Quotes

To give oneself earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.

Confucius
6

Concealer? See Ya!

Concealer? See Ya! Concealer in a tube may be ultra-convenient, but it's only going to last a year. If yours is in a pot, it will last six months longer. But for optimum shelf life, use a clean brush or makeup sponge to apply it - otherwise you risk transferring bacteria from your fingers to the pot.

7

Brush Away the Old

Brush Away the Old We shouldn't forget that brushes and sponges don't last forever either, although quality brushes will last longer if properly cared for. Sponges will last for a month if washed after every use. If your brushes are starting to shed hairs, get rid - they won't apply your makeup effectively. Also if you're getting a lot of breakouts, your brushes may be dirty and past their best.

If you don't use makeup items very often, buy budget versions so that you don't feel bad about throwing them away. It's not worth keeping old, dried-up makeup. Are you always trying new makeup?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Anything powder, lipstick and pencil liners can be sanitized with isopropyl alcohol, making them last virtually forever. Unless you have an infection (in which case toss cream products in the freezer overnight and sanitize eyeshadow daily till your infection is gone) there's no need to throw these out. Mascara yes. After 3 months. And foundation lasts differently depending on the ingredients. Some last up to 5 years. Check the bottom or back of the bottle. It'll tell you how long it'll last. But realistically unless it's like mascara where air is constantly getting pumped into it, letting bacteria in, there's no need to toss it until it changes formula or starts to smell.

Also brushes never HAVE to be thrown away. You should be cleaning them at least bi weekly, weekly for foundation brushes, and if taken care of properly you can use the same brushes you're entire life.

Thank you for the information @alyx that's good to know that I don't need to basically throw out everything in my makeup bag. About how long do you think eye liner that's liquid or gel usually lasts before bacteria starts forming and is bad for you to use?

@Alison Bryant: thanks for assisting us in preventing break outs & eye infections. Good hygienic advice.

Awesome article!

Any tips on how to clean brushes?

Sponges for a month ?!? A beauty blender is $20, no way is that trashed after a month

I wanna ask that too, @ZahraMerchant.

Gabriella - liquid liner that you have to pump (like has a wand and bottle similar to mascara) no more than 6 months. Pen is essentially forever, as long as you only use it on your eyes. Gel liners can be sanitized with a bit of isopropyl alcohol, just spritz it. It shouldn't dry out at all, if it does eye drops can relieve it and won't contaminate it. If you don't clean it, it should have a number of months but generally 6-8 months without sanitation :)

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