Attention ladies because you need to learn these.
If your vanity is crowded with products you picked up years ago (me guilty as charged! I have 3 huge boxes just for my make-ups!), then it may be time to clear out those and have a good spring cleaning.
Just because there's still a little product left in that tube of limited-edition MAC lipstick you bought back in 2014, doesn't mean you should actually use it, and since most beauty products aren't stamped with a sell-by date, figuring out exactly when to toss them can be vague. To take the guesswork out of the process, I put together a guide to help you decipher when it's time to throw out your oldbeauty products, and how to prolong their lifespan. Because who says that a new-year-new-you-attitude can't be extended to your makeup bag?
Rest assured that your Kylie Jenner Lip Kit is safe for the next year or two. Typically, lip colors and glosses have a shelf life of 18 to 24 months, but that can vary depending on how well the pigments and oils hold up. If you notice a weird smell or a change in color, toss the product.
Foundation can last anywhere from six months to a year, provided that contact with the neck of the bottle is minimal to prevent germs from getting into the formula. Concealer also has a shelf lifespanning anywhere from a year to 18 months, but again, keep your brushes or sponges clean so that bacteria won't cause the color to change, and if you use your fingers to blend it on, wash your hands prior to application.
Powder-based products should be fine anywhere from 2 to 3 years as long as the color hasn't faded and your makeup tools are (for the most part) clean. Their cream counterparts are also in for a pretty long haul, with a lifespan of roughly a year, though you'll want to throw them out if they start to dry up or the texture changes.
Since products like mascara, liner, and shadows are concentrated around your ever-so-sensitive eye area, you'll want to pay closer attention to changes in these formulas to avoid getting an infection. Yourmascaras and liquid liners should last up to a year, provided that they don't dry out or get clumpy before then, but if your mascara isn't kept in a cool, dry place for storage, replace it every 3 to 6 months. Both powder eye shadows and eyeliner pencils can last up to two years, though cream formulas lose moisture much quicker and may need to be tossed after six months. Gel liners are the most precious of the bunch and tend to dry out on their own after 2 to 4 months.
Considering that nail polish should last around a year or even two if you're careful, the lacquer you picked up back in May 2015 should be fine. To be on the safe side, take a peek at the bottle to see if the color has faded or if the consistency has changed.
The shelf life of your skincare can vary depending on whether it's housed in a jar or bottle, with the latter lasting around a year. Products in jars can be slightly more complicated if you use your fingers to scoop out the cream, as this can introduce bacteria to the formula, so extend the typical lifespan of 6 to 9 months by using the tiny spatula often included with your moisturizer. As for your cleansers, toners, and serums, they should be good anywhere from 6 months to a year.
YES, IT DOES!
Your lotions, body washes, and shampoos should last up to 2 to 3 years, as the ingredients combined with the preservatives used in the formulas tend to be stable, even if you leave them in the shower.
With a lifespan of anywhere from 2 years to an entire decade, your signature scent is the longest-lasting of your stash, but when the fragrance goes bad, it goes bad—and that's putting it lightly. To prevent the molecules in your perfume from breaking down, store your bottles in a cool, dark area like a shelf or cabinet where direct sunlight won't hit.
So time to have a sit down with your beauty stash and start clearing and checking your these items because allergies and other skincare dilemma is not glamorous at all.
If your vanity is crowded with products you picked up years ago (me guilty as charged! I have 3 huge boxes just for my make-ups!), then it may be time to clear out those and have a good spring cleaning.
Just because there's still a little product left in that tube of limited-edition MAC lipstick you bought back in 2014, doesn't mean you should actually use it, and since most beauty products aren't stamped with a sell-by date, figuring out exactly when to toss them can be vague. To take the guesswork out of the process, I put together a guide to help you decipher when it's time to throw out your oldbeauty products, and how to prolong their lifespan. Because who says that a new-year-new-you-attitude can't be extended to your makeup bag?
Lipstick and Lipgloss
Rest assured that your Kylie Jenner Lip Kit is safe for the next year or two. Typically, lip colors and glosses have a shelf life of 18 to 24 months, but that can vary depending on how well the pigments and oils hold up. If you notice a weird smell or a change in color, toss the product.
Foundation and Concealer
Foundation can last anywhere from six months to a year, provided that contact with the neck of the bottle is minimal to prevent germs from getting into the formula. Concealer also has a shelf lifespanning anywhere from a year to 18 months, but again, keep your brushes or sponges clean so that bacteria won't cause the color to change, and if you use your fingers to blend it on, wash your hands prior to application.
Powders, Bronzers, and Blushes
Powder-based products should be fine anywhere from 2 to 3 years as long as the color hasn't faded and your makeup tools are (for the most part) clean. Their cream counterparts are also in for a pretty long haul, with a lifespan of roughly a year, though you'll want to throw them out if they start to dry up or the texture changes.
Eye Makeup
Since products like mascara, liner, and shadows are concentrated around your ever-so-sensitive eye area, you'll want to pay closer attention to changes in these formulas to avoid getting an infection. Yourmascaras and liquid liners should last up to a year, provided that they don't dry out or get clumpy before then, but if your mascara isn't kept in a cool, dry place for storage, replace it every 3 to 6 months. Both powder eye shadows and eyeliner pencils can last up to two years, though cream formulas lose moisture much quicker and may need to be tossed after six months. Gel liners are the most precious of the bunch and tend to dry out on their own after 2 to 4 months.
Nail Polish
Considering that nail polish should last around a year or even two if you're careful, the lacquer you picked up back in May 2015 should be fine. To be on the safe side, take a peek at the bottle to see if the color has faded or if the consistency has changed.
Skincare
The shelf life of your skincare can vary depending on whether it's housed in a jar or bottle, with the latter lasting around a year. Products in jars can be slightly more complicated if you use your fingers to scoop out the cream, as this can introduce bacteria to the formula, so extend the typical lifespan of 6 to 9 months by using the tiny spatula often included with your moisturizer. As for your cleansers, toners, and serums, they should be good anywhere from 6 months to a year.
Hair and Body Products – Does Lotion Expires???
YES, IT DOES!
Your lotions, body washes, and shampoos should last up to 2 to 3 years, as the ingredients combined with the preservatives used in the formulas tend to be stable, even if you leave them in the shower.
Fragrance
With a lifespan of anywhere from 2 years to an entire decade, your signature scent is the longest-lasting of your stash, but when the fragrance goes bad, it goes bad—and that's putting it lightly. To prevent the molecules in your perfume from breaking down, store your bottles in a cool, dark area like a shelf or cabinet where direct sunlight won't hit.
So time to have a sit down with your beauty stash and start clearing and checking your these items because allergies and other skincare dilemma is not glamorous at all.
xoxo, Blair
I don't wear makeup, so I would have kept the stuff for years and years and never thrown anything out haha!
ReplyDeleteLOL reminds me of my old make-up. But I gave it to my friend who paints using old makeup stashes.
DeleteIt is important to toss make-up when it gets old, I just never remember time frames of how long I can keep something! This is great advice!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and for liking my post Shannon!
DeleteOh wow, I honestly had no idea that makeup expired. I still have makeup from two years ago! Crazy!
ReplyDeleteTOSSED IT NOW JESSICA! LOL
DeleteThis is good info to know, I haven't thought about the fact that I need to go through my makeup and discard the old. I've got to get a Kylie Jenner Lip Kit.
ReplyDeleteToss everything that reached it expiration. There is no point of stashing it. Unless you plan to build a beauty museum. LOL
DeleteI ALWAYS forget the eye make up! Everything else I end up using before I can throw it away - but the eye make up rule is what I need to hear ;)
ReplyDeleteAlways remember that better be safe than sorry.
DeleteVery useful tips! I never know when to throw them out! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Milton,
DeleteJust beware not to throw all your wife's make-up because trust me its a DEAL BREAKER!
Skincare is so so important and it'sgreat that you found a brand that helps you achieve that. ,y mom would love these
ReplyDeleteThanks Enricoh,
DeleteIt is also advisable to keep track of all the makeup and skincare that we purchase. I wish we have an app for that.
Oh man, I need to keep this in mind. I know I have really old makeup that needs to be tossed. And some brushes are just gross.
ReplyDeleteHi dear! thanks for visiting as always!
DeleteYou can keep start tracking your make-up and skincare and list it down in excel file for easy monitoring. I will share some tips on my next post!
I've starting trying to write the open date on my skincare and make up so I don't keep it for too long, but hands up although I mean to I often forget.
ReplyDeleteThat is cool Sarah!
DeleteI totally never seem to get rid of any makeup. First of all I don't wear it much. So far I have been very fortunate and have never had an issue...
ReplyDeleteMy friend who paints using expired makeup is my beneficiary of my old stash. :)
DeleteI definitely need to do a clean-out of my makeup drawer and get rid of some old products. Thanks for putting together this guideline for my purge!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Nellwyn,
DeleteLast month, while writing this post - I had a huge box of expired make-up, and my friend who is an artist used them all for her paintings.
No matter how cute and limited-edition you palettes are, skincare allergies will not think it still cute.
I can definitely tell when nail varnish has gone funny because it goes all gloopy. I did not know how long shadows lasted though so thank you x
ReplyDeleteYeah I have lots too! But I haven't thrown-out my old nail polish because I am using them for my crafting ideas :)
DeleteIt is so important to know when to replace your makeup and skincare products. I keep track on my phone when I buy something new.
ReplyDeleteThat's great Claudia. I wish we have a beauty app for this, right?
DeleteAlthough I'm guilty of keeping mascara a little longer than I should, I know how important it is to know the use-by dates of your make-up. Skincare is probably the MOST important one to watch. Great guide, Blair!
ReplyDeleteChristie's Take on Life. xx
You are welcome Christie! Hey time to throw that mascara and buy a new one.
DeleteHow come I didn't even think about this? Im sure that I have make up that is more than 5yeas old. Lol gray learning. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteLOL you can't even recycle it, not helping. Better use them in other form like a new medium for your crafts. But never use it on your skin.
DeleteI'm embarrassed reading this. I have a lot of old make-up way beyond the 'toss out' date! Thanks, I'll get on it!
ReplyDeleteBetter be safe and to avoid allergies. We might overlook it and we didn't know these already causes skin dryness and acnes.
DeleteSounds good post and i think it is must for every women to checkout for the makeup stuff once in a year. I should do it as early as possible.
ReplyDeleteThat's good Shirley, and you will noticed that purging is also relaxing :)
DeleteI did figure that some of the things that I had expired but I didn't realize all of the beauty products did. Sounds crazy but I guess it does make some sort of sense. It's a reminder we need to clean out old things regularly.
ReplyDeleteYes David. And when we dispose it, we should dispose it properly, like fully destroying the palettes and creams because some people do dumpster dive.
DeleteI'm terribly guilty of keeping make up far past its use by dates. I need to do a clear out soon!
ReplyDeleteYeah so that you'll have enough room for your new makeup!
DeleteNever knew that lotion expires, seems it is a perfect make up guide to me , need a revamp soon for sure now:)
ReplyDeleteAlways remember that all non-tangible products and consumables have expirations.
DeleteSuch great info...i need to bookmark this for later, probably needing to throw out some of mine now
ReplyDeleteThank you Phylicia!
Deletei never check it, wen i smells not good it's gone
ReplyDeleteYeah but the smell sometimes are tricky. Better check the product's expiration date.
DeleteThis is very informative. It reminds me to go through my makeup collection and have a clear out of all my old makeup. Great blog post and what a nice read.
ReplyDeleteJackie | fashionxfairytale |
Thank you Jackie! Please help me to spread this make-up awareness to save our friends on skin allergies.
DeleteIt's important to take note of these! Make-up, no matter how much we love it, doesn't last forever. Not to mention it accumulates germs too.
ReplyDeleteOh you are right Elizabeth! Sometimes we thought that our skincare (that was stacked for years) are still working, but they aren't anymore... which causes new skin problems, then we need to buy another remedies for that.. it became too expensive!
DeleteThis is an awesome guide especially for people who are just beginning to love make-up. It's important that they take note of how long they should keep the make-up for before they replace it.
ReplyDeleteI agree Carol! Always be vigilant for all the products that we use. And also always check the product expiration before buying makeups.
DeleteI have makeup in my home older than some of my favourite shoes which I want to get rid of but since I can't replace just yet I am holding on to. I know it's bad but God knows I can throw away lipstick lol
ReplyDeleteLOL Yeah, lipsticks sometimes faster to expire.
DeleteOh my! I have eye makeup much older than that. I need to do some bathroom sink reorganizing and tossing http://www.parentinghealthy.com/
ReplyDeleteHello Erin! Start clearing those makeup! Its not good for you.
DeleteOh my Goodness! I may have had some of my shadows for a year or so too long...
ReplyDeleteexpired Eye makeup are dangerous. Please throw it away ASAP.
DeleteIt's a very important topic! A lot of people don't even know make-up expires!
ReplyDeleteJill
http://www.jilldap.com
Yeah, Ohh especially even the Korean makeup, and sometimes we don't understand the labels coz its in Hangul!
DeleteVery good reviews !! about these product !! thanks for share
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Nida, and thank you for visiting!
DeleteThis is so helpful! I think I need to check my makeups for expiry dates!
ReplyDeleteStart tracking it Kate! You might not realized that all your makeup needs to be replaced.
DeleteI'm so glad you shared this as I once used a face mask that I'd had open for a couple of years and I had a really bad reaction to it. It had never affected me before so I know it was because it should have been tossed a long time before it was. I still shudder when I think how badly my face swelled up, and it happened years ago!!
ReplyDeleteLouise x
Oh that's awful Louise.
DeleteIf you are also a huge face of Face Mask, better use it ASAP because it has a shorter lifespan. And most Korean makeup are written in Hangul so we overlooked the expiration dates.
I found this post quite informative and helpful. If I notice I've had something for a while I'm okay with letting it go to be safe. Great read!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the moment that letting go is the best way.
DeleteI was just going through my vanity checking my makeup and hair products as well. I definitely have to give away some before the expiration date.
ReplyDeleteThat's good Tione.
Deletewow! This is super helpful. I am going to have to go through my makeup tomorrow! I also have about 10 lip glosses in my purse I am sure some of them need to be tossed! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Amanda,
DeleteLiquid glosses have quite shorter lifespan, ohh especially if you are living in a hot weather, just like me. Colder weather makes the makeup last longer.
It's great to know the type of shelf life on make-up. I'm not very familiar with beauty products, so these are very handy tips for me as I use more products like these!
ReplyDeleteIf you are so keen to watch over the expiration of our foods inside our pantry, we should also do this with our makeup and skincare.
DeleteWow. This is great. I'm just starting to get into makeup so any tips is more that helpful
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! Which make-up brand is your most favorite?
DeleteIt is so wise to dump old makeup! I had a friend once get an infection from using old makeup, so scary!
ReplyDeleteThink about how much you will spend to cure those skin allergies. It is more expensive!
DeleteThanks for the suggestions! I can not promise that I will be throwing away my unused cosmetics! I am kind of a hoarder that way! I will take this under consideration though.
ReplyDeleteWell, its your choice dear. Just don't feel sorry when you got your skin allergies.
DeleteWith the make-up shelf life you've stated in your post, I believe I have a lot of make-up that's ready for tossing!
ReplyDeleteBetter throw it away, coz everything doesn't last a lifetime. This is something that is being almost avoided by the make-up industry to talked about.
DeleteWhat an awesome post I enjoyed reading this and so glad you share this great information.
ReplyDeleteAm glad you like this post Misty :) Hope this makes sense to you.
DeleteI have been meaning to do a post like this on my blog! I don't throw away products immediately after their expiration date but use them for another month. With eye make up like eye liner and kohl I am a little more careful :)
ReplyDeleteHello dear! Thanks for liking my post. I would love to read your version :)
DeleteI'm a big hoarders for makeup products. This is a good reminder that I need to declutter my vanity.Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt is okay to hoard because it does happen and its part of our LOVE for make-up. But we should learn to let go things that can't be used anymore.
DeleteThank you for these tips. I think I need to toss some of mine too.
ReplyDeleteThat's good, and thanks for visiting.
DeleteThank you for the information. I have to move my lotions and perfumes to another area in my dresser to make sure they keep for the longest time. Perfumes are not cheap, so I guess I should just get the right size bottle that I can use up in a few months.
ReplyDeleteThat's great! And sometimes it is advisable to store make-up in a colder temperature. The heat makes the bacteria comes in.
DeleteI think we all need to be reminded of this ever so often...LOL...Many forget that they have a shelf life
ReplyDeleteI agree. I also forget too! Maybe I am blinded with those cute packaging and colors, LOL
DeleteYea I am pretty sure I have some expired makeup. I always have to toss out the nail polishes because those are clear when they are expired, either dried up or just don't paint right.
ReplyDeleteYeah or easily removed, and don't stay on my nails.
DeleteWith this post,I now have idea of when to toss my old make-up. THanks.
ReplyDeleteHello Kemi,
DeleteI advice you keep a tracker of all your make-up purchase so it is easy for you to monitor your make-up lifespan.