When to Trash Your Makeup

So here we are at tuesday, and BOY am I excited for the long weekend!  It is going to be heaven only being at work for four days out of five, and that counts for a whole two weeks!

I'm not sure what I'll be getting up to over the long weekend break but it will just be nice to relax and catch up on those little things you miss out on in the week. 

I've decided that I'll be filming another video for YouTube, and this one will be a hair tutorial :)

However, back to topic ... When to throw out old makeup....

Confession: I own nail polish that is over five years old. My mascara has hung around for almost two years. And my favorite perfume? From my 2005 Tenerife holiday. No, I'm not a hoarder. I just think if things cost a lot of money and they're still half full, why throw them out? It's not like they have an expiration date, right?

Wrong. After speaking with several experts, I found out beauty products do have an expiration date -- it's just not stamped on the bottle/tube/jar. Instead, there are some general guidelines when it comes to beauty product freshness. (Who knew nail polish only lasts six months?)

As for the thrifty part of me -- the person who won't throw away concealer until I have squeezed every last ounce out of the tube -- I also learned that holding onto products a little too long could cause major problems. I'm talking bacterial infections, major breakouts, and weird odors (yuck). So I guess it's time to rethink my stance.

To find out how often you should toss your mascara, why old makeup (especially eyeshadow) is so dangerous, or when your shampoo stops doing its job, keep reading. In the meantime, excuse me while I go clean out my medicine cabinet.

Trash after three or more years:

Perfume: Perfume's high alcohol content (if you keep it in the bottle) means it can last a couple of years. One catch: heat can alter the scent, so make sure to keep your fragrances in a cool, dark place -- no matter how beautiful the bottle.

Lotions: Like perfume, lotion can last a long time. To keep your favorite lotion from checking out early, I suggest, cleaning the pump (remove dry/crusty lotion from spout) every week or so, depending on how often it's used. And if your lotion starts to thin, adding Vaseline to thicken the texture.

Trash after two years:

Hairstyling products: If your products are packaged in a tube, spray, or bottle, they should last awhile. But if you're using products from a jar or tub, watch out. According to Min Kim, L'Oreal Portfolio Artist and hairstylist at Butterfly Studio Salon, these products don't last as long because they get exposed to the air and your germy fingers, which means they can dry out and get contaminated.

Shampoo and conditioner: Since water and air can break down the active ingredients in shampoo and conditioner, you'll want to keep lids tightly closed, says Kim. However, unused products will last a couple of years if they haven't been exposed to extreme heat (read: steamy showers) or sunlight.

Trash after one year:

Eyeshadow: Wouldn't an oozing infection just perfectly complement your smoky eye look? No? Well then you'll want to be careful with any products you're putting near your eyes.

Powder eyeshadow can last up to a year, but only if you use a clean brush to apply. This doesn't mean you have to buy a new brush every time you put on shadow. Instead wash your brushes once a week with shampoo or cleanser, or invest in a professional brush cleaner. As for cream eyeshadow, since it's often applied with your finger (aka a bacteria hot spot), trash it after six months.

Face makeup: If you're using clean brushes and sponges to apply your foundation and blush, these products can usually last for a year. To really help keep bacteria out, don't touch your face makeup with your fingers.

Trash after one year:

Bath oils and gels: Exposing these products to air and water alters the natural ingredients and makes them less effective. And since these products win the "most likely to get dropped in the bathtub" award, it should be no surprise they have a shorter shelf life.

Sunscreen: Just like perfume, you want to keep your sunscreen in a cool place -- not on your towel or in your car. If you do so, the "active ingredients will remain effective for 12 months.  But if your sunscreen does heat up, the active ingredients become less effective against preventing sun damage.

Ways to tell your SPF has expired: It smells "medicine-like," comes out runny, or has changed colors, from white to yellow.

Trash after six months to one year:

Skincare: Before you head to Tesco for your acne products, keep this in mind: Most skincare products, like anti-aging creams and serums, moisturizers, and acne treatments are at their most effective for the first year. After 12 months, their active ingredients start to fade until they eventually stop working.

Lipstick and lipgloss: If you didn't already know, your mouth is full of germs. That means you need to pay close attention to your favorite lip products. If they begin to smell like "bad breath" (ew!) or chemicals, you should toss them.

Nail polish: You can wish for your favorite nail polish to last forever, but in reality its lifespan is about six months. However, if you refrigerate your polish, your colors can last up to 12 months. Just don't mistake that fab red shade for ketchup.

Trash every three to six months:

Eyeliner: Just like other eye products, you want to be extra careful with eyeliner. And make sure to sharpen your eyeliner (if it's a pencil) before each use. This will help to literally scrape off some of the germs.

Mascara: Want to avoid an eye infection? Replace your mascara often, since it's a "breeding ground for bacteria". Another reason to toss your mascara every couple of months? It will start to dry up anyway, and spider leg lashes are not a good look.

Trash before three months:

Razors: If you want to make your blades last longer, don't store your razor in your shower; instead opt for a cool, dry place. But even if you take perfect care of them, razors should hit the trashcan after six or so shaves.

Sponges: Your sponges can last up to three months, if they're high quality and you wash them after each use. As for the drugstore cheapies, toss them after one application.

Smell something funky?

It sucks, but sometimes products can go bad sooner than they're supposed to, even if you follow our advice. Here are some telltale signs it's time to toss:

It smells: If your product doesn't smell the same as when you purchased it or just smells bad, it's time to trash it. After all, perfume that smells like dirty feet is not exactly a turn on.

It separates: Another sign your product is off? If it starts to separate, like your salad dressing. But unlike your salad dressing, the directions don't say anything about shaking the bottle.

Get more life outta your products

Refrigerate: Most products have preservatives to make them last longer and keep bacteria from taking over. But, if you buy a product with natural ingredients or labeled "organic," it may not have the necessary preservatives to fight germs. That means, once it's exposed to the air or your hands, you need to keep it in the refrigerator or it'll become a bacteria magnet. And trust us, no one wants germy cream all over their face.

Limit air exposure: According to studies, "air is the killer," so make sure to keep lids on tight. Also, any products where you use your hands to apply, like jars or tubs, can become a bacterial breeding ground. So, wash your hands before each use and keep touching to a minimum.

Keep out of the bathroom: Showers create steam, which causes moisture to get into your makeup products. The result? A decreased shelf life. To keep that from happening, store your products elsewhere.

Don't buy in bulk: To ensure freshness, don't buy products in bulk, especially if you're the only one using them. Otherwise, they can sit around for months, which you know is not good. Instead, stick to products of 12 ounces or less.

Hope you enjoyed the post :)