Has Your Makeup Expired?

Make-up is made up of ingredients that like food, can expire. They have a 'used by' date and if you don't follow this it may irritate your skin. Especially with cosmetics that go around or on your eyes, it's important to look out for when your make-up expires. Each different item has a different expiry date, and each different item can either just go bad or cause damage to your skin. I'm a bit of a hoarder, so I never throw anything out! Look in your makeup bag, and if you can't remember the last time you bought it or used it, throw it away or recycle it.

I know it's hard to throw out your precious cosmetics, especially if it's your favorite or if you're on a tight budget, but expired cosmetics could cause skin irritation and they aren't as effective as normal make-up. Expired mascara is flaky and clumps and eyeshadow turns chalky. And as soon as you open your make-up, bacteria begins to grow. Disgusting, but true!

Mascara:
As it goes all around your eyes, mascara is the one to watch for makeup filled with germs. Every time you take it out of the tube, bacteria goes onto the wand. Mascara's shelf life can be from 3 months to 6 months. I know it's practically impossible to use a whole mascara by then, but a handy tip is to buy mini-sized mascara, they run out in a few months. If you use expired mascara, it's an easy way to get conjunctivitis and sore, red eyes (trust me, I've tried this!).

Eyeliner:
Pencil eyeliner will keep for a long 18 months as long as you remember to re-cap it/wind it down after each use. Sharpening your eyeliner after each use is also handy in keeping it bacteria free. Never share eyeliner with anybody because it will easily spread conjunctivitis or pink eye.

Powder cosmetics such as Blush, Eyeshadow and Bronzer:
Powder cosmetics catch less bacteria than cosmetics that go near your eyes. Keep them clean by using clean fingers or brushes to apply them. The recommended time span to keep them 18 months, but as I don't use these very often, I keep mine for a little longer, about 3 years.

Any type of Foundation:
Your foundation can last around one year, but if you have a main foundation and not many different ones it should run out by then anyway. When applying foundation use clean fingers or a clean makeup sponge/brush and wash them after each use.

Lip Liner, Lip Stick and Lip Gloss:
Lip gloss and lip stick last for quite a long time, about 18 months. Lip liner will last for one year. Keep your lip gloss, stick and liner cleaner by not leaving it in the sun or hot spaces, and always put the lid back on after use.

Nail Polish:
Nail polish is supposed to last up to 2 years, but I always keep mine for a long time because I never use up the bottle. Keep the lip tightly capped on and you should be fine until it dries out.

Did you forget when you last bought/opened your makeup? Me too, but a super easy way to never forget is to write the date on your makeup with a permanent marker. You'll never forget when to throw it out! Most of these dates are are just a little guideline, different brands or formulas may have different expiry dates. But you know as soon as you makeup smells funny goes clumpy, or changes color you should throw it straight out!