We’re all very careful when it comes to expiry dates for our milk, eggs and cheese, but when it comes to makeup, many of us are in the dark about what we put on our skin.
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Did you know that makeup has expiry dates too? If you didn’t, it’s time to start looking at your makeup drawer.
Products that we use regularly and even those that we use far and in-between can gather bacteria from our faces and harvest them inside the product. Some products even have best before dates that should be followed, that show when we need to throw them out and get new ones because the formula just doesn’t work the same.
Mascara 2-3 months
Your mascara formula isn’t meant to be around for years, and after 2-3 months it won’t work as well. Not to mention all the nasty bacteria from your wand dipping back into the pot after being exposed to air and dirt on your lashes – especially if you’re doing touch ups at the club.
Liquid foundation 6-12 months
After this long, foundation formula won’t spread or stay as well as it should. The formula may separate, and have to be shaken to mix back together. If your foundation has been kept in heat, like your handbag, this may also affect it.
Lipstick and lip gloss 1 year
If you lipstick has gone hard and dry, it’s probably passed its use by date. If your lipgloss is over sticky and goopy, it’s time to get rid of it. No questions asked.
Nail polish 1-2 years
If the polish has separated into layers and won’t blend after shaking, it’s off and it’s time to go. If it’s extra sticky and stringy it’s also time to get rid of it. Don’t waste your your space with old nail polishes that you won’t use.
Eyeshadow/compact powders 2 years
If you have anything longer for two years, it also makes you question if you have too many products or if the colours are even relevant still. If the powders are dry and flaky instead of smooth and creamy, it can be a sign that they are off. The pigment may be less developed and let’s be honest, that blue eyeshadow that you swore you would wear is passed its use by and wearing date.
Lotion 2 years
Pump action or squeeze lotions are best as they keep many germs out of the actual moisturiser. Putting your fingers in a pot all the time can allow germs to harvest in the lotion.
Perfume 5 years
The longest wearing beauty product that you will ever have. Depending on the quality of the perfume, this may be less or more. Perfumes should be kept in a cool, dry place to prolong their scent with the lids tightly screwed on.
The lesson from all this is that we should be buying smaller quantities of beauty products and they should be things that we use often enough to finish them within these makeup expiry dates. We also need to wash our makeup brushes and sponges every 2 weeks in the least to ensure our skin isn’t put in harms way of bacteria and germs.
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