As we all know, makeup often turns a bit funky before we use it all. Whether your eye shadow is losing pigment or your mascara is getting dry, there’s a specific amount of time you can get good use of your favorite beauty products before they expire.
New York makeup artist Stacey Menzer is telling you when you should throw away your beauty products and what to do to keep them in the best shape for the longest period of time.
Mascara
Mascara goes bad in a really short time because each pump caused dry air to get inside the mascara bottle and bacteria breeds quickly. Don’t use the same mascara for more than 2-3 months. Throw it away the moment you notice it smelling weird or getting clumpy.
Liquid Foundation
“I know how much people want to make these bottles last. However, they’re cream-based and get contaminated with bacteria from your fingers, brushes, and sponges,” says Menzer. The average shelf-life can vary from 8-12 months. Throw away your foundation as soon as you notice the formula separating.
Powder Foundation
You need to pay attention to the texture. If your powder foundation starts to get flaky or begins to get dry, it’s time to throw it away. Don’t keep the same powder foundation more than 6-12 months. Applying an old powder foundation on your face will not look good on your skin.
Concealer
This is the product the stays the longest in our makeup kit since we only use a really small amount of it to cover our imperfections. Once the color of your concealer starts to change, it’s time to get a new one. Stick and powder concealers can last 2 years while liquid ones can’t be used more than 1 year.
Eye Shadow, Blush and Bronzer
Powder forms of these products last for 3 years. Once the pigment starts to fade, it means that it’s time to get a new one. Cream and liquid versions have a shorter shelf life and can last not more than 1 year.
Eyeliner
“Pencils are regularly sharpened, so in my opinion, [they] never go bad since the bacteria is shaved away,” says Menzer.
On the other hand, liquid eyeliners last 6-12 months. Throw the product away once you notice the formula getting dry.
Lipstick
Lipsticks can last around 3 years. If you notice your lipstick smelling or tasting strong, it means that it’s probably time to get a new one.
Lip Gloss
Lip glosses last 3-12 months. Once it gets sticky or gummy, it’s time to throw it away.