Just like the milk in your fridge, makeup does expire. Products that are past their use-by dates can change in texture and colour, so you won’t get that flawless finish you’re after. Even worse: there are health risks when bacteria builds up, increasing your chances of eye infections and skin rashes.
Take a look at these dates, and toss anything that’s past its prime. Now you’ve got a brand-new excuse to buy new makeup!
Powders (including foundations, eye shadows, bronzers and blushes): Up to two years”but keep an eye out (no pun intended) for changes in consistency
Liquid Foundation: One year
Cream eye shadows: 12 to 18 months
Mascara: Three months
Pencil eyeliner: If sharpened regularly, one year
Liquid eyeliner: Up to six months
Concealer: One year
Lipstick and lip liner: One year
Makeup sponges: Replace weekly
Nail polish: One year
General tips:
Any product that has a change in color or smell should be disposed of immediately. The same goes for products that have a change in consistency “ eyeliner that thickens, mascara that seems runny “ just toss it!
Never share makeup, especially eye products.
Close the lids on all products tightly, and store them out of the sunlight.
If you get any kind of infection, dispose of all the products you were using. For example, if you get an eye infection, your eye shadow, liner and mascara need to go in the trash.
Don’t add water (or anything else) to products unless the manufacturer’s guidelines recommend you do so. (For example, Mary Kay Cosmetics specifically recommends adding water to their eye shadows to darken the color.) Otherwise, don’t do it!
