The shelf life of make-up - Yada, Yada, Yada

jakeNmichaela · 01-20-06, 11:06 AM

Beauty products do have a shelf life, however, & chances are that blue eyeshadow with the glimmery bits that you bought a couple years ago (for Halloween?) has long expired. Here's a quick guide on the shelf lives of typical beauty products. We've listed them in alphabetical order. Oh & just 1 quick little PS: Please keep in mind that these are estimates, no matter what anyone tells you it's unlikely you'll go blind from using 2-year-old mascara.

Concealer Up to 12 months.

Powder 2 years.

Cream & gel cleansers 1 year.

Eye liner Should be sharpened regularly.

Eyeshadow Will also last up to 3 years. Extra tip: A dark eyeshadow can double as eyeliner, in fact, most makeup artists swear by eyeshadow used as eyeliner. You'll need a super-flat eyeliner brush for this (MAC & Aveda have the best brushes). Get the brush a little damp & dab in dark eyeshadow (black, brown or deep jewel-tones work great). Wiggle the brush into your lash line focusing on the space between your lashes, then sweep the color just above your lash line.

Brushes Wash every 2-3 months in a mild detergent

Sponges Wash weekly & discard monthly

Foundation Check the ingredients: A water-based foundation will last up to 12 months, oil-based will last up to 18 months. You may find you need two different shades of foundation each year: One for summer when your skin is naturally darker & one for winter when you're lighter. Extra tip: If your water-based foundation dries out before it's expiry date, simply add a few drops of alcohol-free toner & shake to get rid of clumps. No need to do this to oil-based foundations. Because they contain oil, they will tend to separate. You have to shake anyway.

Lip liner Up to 3 years. Extra tip: Skip the push-up lipliners. They're expensive, tend to break & you never really know how much you have left until you run out. No need to spend money on lip liners, there's no secret to greatness for this product. Save your money for powders & foundation.

Lipstick Some experts say 1-2 years. Others say up to 4 years. What everyone agrees on is that if it smells rancid, throw it out, it's spoiled. Extra tip: If you store lipstick in the refrigerator, it will last longer. Bonus tip: Want your lipstick to last longer during the day? Shade in lips with lip liner before applying lipstick.

Mascara This product expires the fastest: Throw out after 4 months. Extra tip: If you don't want your mascara to expire faster than its fresh date, don't pump the wand in & out, you're only exposing the product to drying air.

Nail Polish Up to 12 months, depending on the quality & how many times you take it on a plane (the cap always unscrews on me during flights, leaving my purse a -- fume-y -- mess!)

Laura · 01-20-06, 05:23 PM

WOW I didn't know everything lasted so long!! I need new mascara, mine is almost a year old - ewwwwww

jakeNmichaela · 01-20-06, 06:40 PM

LOL, don't worry about it Laura, I forget too.

silverstar2 · 01-22-06, 03:51 PM

I dont change out my mascara enough either.

MS.Behave · 01-31-06, 08:21 PM

wow funny yesterday i was looking at my makeup and wondering the shelf life of them , thanks alot i guess most of mine need to go

01-20-06, 11:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
jakeNmichaela Peas in a pod :) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,965 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The shelf life of make-up Beauty products do have a shelf life, however, & chances are that blue eyeshadow with the glimmery bits that you bought a couple years ago (for Halloween?) has long expired. Here's a quick guide on the shelf lives of typical beauty products. We've listed them in alphabetical order. Oh & just 1 quick little PS: Please keep in mind that these are estimates, no matter what anyone tells you it's unlikely you'll go blind from using 2-year-old mascara. Concealer Up to 12 months. Powder 2 years. Cream & gel cleansers 1 year. Eye liner Should be sharpened regularly. Eyeshadow Will also last up to 3 years. Extra tip: A dark eyeshadow can double as eyeliner, in fact, most makeup artists swear by eyeshadow used as eyeliner. You'll need a super-flat eyeliner brush for this (MAC & Aveda have the best brushes). Get the brush a little damp & dab in dark eyeshadow (black, brown or deep jewel-tones work great). Wiggle the brush into your lash line focusing on the space between your lashes, then sweep the color just above your lash line. Brushes Wash every 2-3 months in a mild detergent Sponges Wash weekly & discard monthly Foundation Check the ingredients: A water-based foundation will last up to 12 months, oil-based will last up to 18 months. You may find you need two different shades of foundation each year: One for summer when your skin is naturally darker & one for winter when you're lighter. Extra tip: If your water-based foundation dries out before it's expiry date, simply add a few drops of alcohol-free toner & shake to get rid of clumps. No need to do this to oil-based foundations. Because they contain oil, they will tend to separate. You have to shake anyway. Lip liner Up to 3 years. Extra tip: Skip the push-up lipliners. They're expensive, tend to break & you never really know how much you have left until you run out. No need to spend money on lip liners, there's no secret to greatness for this product. Save your money for powders & foundation. Lipstick Some experts say 1-2 years. Others say up to 4 years. What everyone agrees on is that if it smells rancid, throw it out, it's spoiled. Extra tip: If you store lipstick in the refrigerator, it will last longer. Bonus tip: Want your lipstick to last longer during the day? Shade in lips with lip liner before applying lipstick. Mascara This product expires the fastest: Throw out after 4 months. Extra tip: If you don't want your mascara to expire faster than its fresh date, don't pump the wand in & out, you're only exposing the product to drying air. Nail Polish Up to 12 months, depending on the quality & how many times you take it on a plane (the cap always unscrews on me during flights, leaving my purse a -- fume-y -- mess!) __________________ Jacob and Michaela Melissa: MOD OF JEWISH FAMILIES AND MENTAL HEALTH Last edited by jakeNmichaela; 01-20-06 at 11:08 AM.

01-20-06, 05:23 PM	#2
Laura Is the best!! We Lurve You!!!! Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,473 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: The shelf life of make-up WOW I didn't know everything lasted so long!! I need new mascara, mine is almost a year old - ewwwwww

01-20-06, 06:40 PM	#3
jakeNmichaela Peas in a pod :) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,965 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: The shelf life of make-up LOL, don't worry about it Laura, I forget too. __________________ Jacob and Michaela Melissa: MOD OF JEWISH FAMILIES AND MENTAL HEALTH

01-22-06, 03:51 PM	#4
silverstar2 Super Star Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 636 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: The shelf life of make-up I dont change out my mascara enough either. __________________ Sarah Mommy to Ashley-4 and Alyssa 18 months

01-31-06, 08:21 PM	#5
MS.Behave Loyal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Jamaica Posts: 1,199 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: The shelf life of make-up wow funny yesterday i was looking at my makeup and wondering the shelf life of them , thanks alot i guess most of mine need to go __________________ My Darling is 2 today .. Happy Birthday Chad-Antonio my heart beat ..