It’s the start of a new year and now would be a perfect time to go through your makeup. We all have products that we ‘sometimes’ use or that we save for special occasions. So when does makeup go bad? Cosmetics have a shelf life and chances are that blue eye shadow you bought in the 80’s has long expired. Here is a quick guide on how long to keep your typical beauty products. Keep in mind, if any cosmetics contain SPF, adhere to the expiration date on the bottle.
Cream and Gel Cleansers 1 year.
Foundation Check the ingredients: A water-based foundation will last up to 12 months and oil-based will last up to 18 months.
Concealer Up to 12 months.
Powder 2 years.
Pencil eye liner Should be sharpened regularly. Will last up to 3 years.
Eye shadow Will also last up to 3 years.
Mascara This product expires the fastest: Throw out after 4 months.
Brushes Wash every 2-3 months in a mild detergent. We suggest Sephora’s Daily Brush Cleaner.
Lipstick Some experts say 1-2 years. Others say up to 4 years.
Lip liner Up to 3 years.
Nail Polish Up to 12 months
Remember, if you didn’t like the color when you bought it, it’s not going to get any better. Sephora, Ulta and Target will refund your money, with a receipt, if you don’t like a product after you have worn it for a few days. When is the last time you went through your makeup and pitched things? It’s painful, but you’ll be happy you did it.
Photo via our Instagram: Eos in Orange Blossom / Kissamint in Spearamint / MAC polish lip pencil in Revved Up / Japonesque eye pencil in Violet / Simbi Haiti hair bracelet
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