If you’re like me, I dread cleaning out my make up drawer. I totally over buy, I could paint the faces of a small nation with everything that is in that scary drawer of makeup. I never really know if the makeup is still good or not. How can you tell? Instead of guessing, I have done some research and put together info on how long to keep our “War Paint “around.

As a general rule, try to keep all cosmetics in their shop wrapping if you don’t need to use them straight away. You will extend the shelf life, as there is no exposure to air. Another tip, write with a Sharpie marker the date you purchased the product, right on the product.

Ladies, follow the guide below, and start throwing all that make up out we have had for years!!

Mascara
Shelf Life: Three-six months
Mascaras should always be used fairly quickly once they’re opened because they’re easily contaminated by the pumping action of the brush. This can force bacteria further into the container where the moist, wet environment is ideal for bacteria to thrive.

Tips

• Stick to one mascara and use it regularly so you finish it within a few months. This is far better than alternating between a number of different mascaras, which means you keep them longer and increase the risk of contamination.
• Never add water or other liquid to mascara to keep it from drying out, as this can cause the preservative to become diluted and therefore offer less protection against germs.
• Never share mascara, as this is the most common way to pass on eye infections such as conjunctivitis.
• Don’t use the same mascara if you’ve just had an eye infection, and buy a new one to minimize your chances of the infection coming back.
• Don’t use saliva to moisten mascara. The bacteria from your mouth may get into the mascara, which can encourage bacteria to grow and cause infection.
• Always wash your hands before applying mascara to cut down the risk of passing on bacteria with your hands.
• Keep mascara in a clean place. Don’t let it come into contact with dust or dirt that may harbor harmful bacteria.

Moisturizer
Shelf Life: Three-12 months
Moisturizers should be used up quickly, especially ones that contain essential oils and botanicals (check ingredients on the label). The best idea is to buy one moisturizer at a time and use it everyday. This is more important with natural ingredients such as plant extracts that can quickly lose their efficacy after a certain time and go off. Check the use-by date if you’re not sure when yours should be chucked.

Tips

• Use one moisturizer for the day and one for the night, and use them one at a time. It’s a common mistake to buy three or four similar products, open them all and alternate using them. Chances are you won’t use them all within the allotted time and they’ll end up going off.
• Throw a product away the moment it starts to change color, smell off or the oils and fats begin to separate, which you’ll be able to see.
• Keep out of direct sunlight and heat.
• Try not to stick your fingers in the pot if you can help it, as this decreases the chance of introducing unwanted bacteria into the product. Use a clean, plastic spatula or a spoon instead.

Foundation

Shelf Life: Oil-Free Foundation (12 months); Moisturizing, Cream or Compact Foundation (18 months)
Again, it’s a good idea to use foundation quickly. Oil-free ones have the shortest shelf life because they tend to dry out quicker than other types.

Tips

• Throw foundation away if it starts to look or smell different or if ingredients start to separate.
• Ideally, always wash the sponges (in compact foundation, for example) at least once a week. Use soapy water and allow to dry naturally. Make sure the sponge is completely dry before placing back into the container or compact, or this could encourage mould to grow.
• If you want to prolong shelf life by a few months, keep your foundation in the fridge. Otherwise store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
• Be extremely careful when using foundation near broken or infected skin. Scoop a small amount onto a plastic dish with a spatula, and then put the container away so you don’t accidentally contaminate the pot. Use a medicated formulation or concealer on the affected area.
• If available, choose a foundation in a tube or pump dispenser. These are good because the product can’t slip back into the container after it has been exposed to air. The risk of contamination with bacteria is therefore greatly reduced.

Powder
Shelf Life: Two years
Although powder will actually last longer, two years is the longest you should really keep it. After that, it can start to get a bit dry and, in the case of pressed powder, it may not go on as smoothly. This is unavoidable, as powder mixes with natural skin oils left on the sponge. As a general rule, loose powder can last up to three years in the right conditions.

Tips

• Wash sponges or brushes at least once a week. Either use soap and warm water or invest in a brush cleaner solution, available at most department stores.

Concealer
Shelf Life: 12-18 months
Stick concealer lasts the longest of any type. You can tell it’s had its day when it starts to get dry and no longer goes on smoothly. Liquid based concealers may start to separate or go lumpy when they’re going off.

Tips

• Always wipe the brush after using if the concealer comes in a wand and brush package, especially if you’re trying to cover a spot that may harbor bacteria. These concealers are more easily contaminated than stick ones, because they ‘feed’ bacteria back into the container.
• Ideally, use a stick or pump dispenser concealer on spots and pimples.

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