How to Know If Your Cosmetics Are Expired

We all have our favorite tried and true lipstick that has been long discontinued , (and just WHAT was that makeup company thinking?) but how long is too long to hold on to cosmetics? Here are the guidelines that tell you when your product has gone bad and what to do if you just can't find your favorite product anywhere.

Mascara tubes should be tossed after three to four months. If the smell changes, the mascara has gone bad. Not knowing what mascara smelled like in the first place, I couldn't personally make an educated guess about the status of my own mascara. To maximize how long you can use a certain mascara, keep it out of heat or light. Consider wiping the mascara off with a tissue after each use to reduce contaminates in the tube. The standard proviso of not sharing mascara or using it when you already know you have some sort of infection applies. For something that is so short dated, using a labeler or sticker to put the date on the tube might be of benefit to remind you when to buy new mascara.

Creamy products like cream eyeshadow, cream blush, concealer or lipsticks and lip creams can melt and freeze in severe temperatures, changing the consistency and causing the oils to rise to the surface. To know it is still good, see if it applies the same. If it does, it is okay to use, but the older it is, the more likely it has bacteria from your finger or the applicator. This is especially the case with lip products that you apply with your finger or do a lot of double tipping between applications.

Lipstick and lipgloss generally has a two to three year life, depending upon its creaminess and active ingredients. If it has plumping ingredients, the plumping ingredients might not last this long, but the underlying color is likely still okay.

Foundation lasts two years. You need to throw it out if it gets separated, since this means it has lost its' ability to adhere to your skin, you just have the oil layer and the pigment layer, even if you shake them together, it will likely not last long upon application and will streak on your face and won't cover blemishes.

Nail Polish lasts for about one year. If it is separated, try shaking it, but if it doesn't readily re-mix to its original color or there is a layer of oil leftover after shaking, then the polish will likely not have much staying power and chip quickly. To extend the life of my favorite, expensive or discontinued polishes, I keep them out of the light when not in use, do not expose them to heat, and keep them in the fridge in the summer. I know it sounds a bit over the top, but after spending $18 on a bottle of nail polish that goes fabulous with my summer slinky dress, it better still be usable by next summer.

While none of us like to see our favorite products discontinued, many brands such as Cover Girl offer charts on their website to find substitutes or re-branded equivalents for discontinued products. Perhaps your favorite product is still available after all, but under a different name or packaging. If you cannot find your favorite product in the stores or online, then try emailing the company's customer support and ask if any more of your favorite product is available or for any suggestions for a substitute., often you will get recommendations for a substitute. Frequently colors are just given a new name or are made sheer or matte to match that seasons' trends.

Another option is to consider 3 Custom Color, available through beauty.com and others, who will take the tiniest smidge of powder or lipstick and re-create the color for you. For a semi-hefty fee, they are dead-on and will usually give you two lipsticks and keep the recipe for your beloved lipstick on file for your future use (and frequently already have popular requests already on file). While it is expensive, so is trying several products to try to find a replacement for your beloved lipstick or eyeshadow.