Have you ever thought to yourself that your shade of lipstick
looks a bit different these days? Maybe your mascara was a bit dry or clumpy
when you put it on this morning? Or your eyes seem to be getting a bit more
irritated with each shadow application?
Chances are that your makeup has seen it’s day and should be
replaced. Regardless of how much
you have spent on your favorite products, or how clean you feel that you are,
there comes a day when every product has fulfilled it’s mission and a time when
it needs to be tossed.
So how do you know when to replace your products? Unfortunately, the FDA does not currently
require cosmetic companies to list expiration dates on their products. This can make it even more impossible
to know the right time to part ways.
Regardless, some manufacturers/distributers do assist you with this
painful process by printing a small open make-up container on the back of their
products showing a timeframe for use once opened; but what about products that
don’t??? Don’t worry that’s what
this blog is all about.
So, if you check the back of you product and don’t see the
above picture then here is a guideline to follow for different products you may
use. Just keep in mind, this is
just a helpful timeline to reference but not to 100% follow at all times. For instance, if you get an infection
of any sort in your eye(s) you should immediately discard and replace any
products that have come in contact with the infection. Or if you take out your mascara and it
is dry and/or clumpy, do NOT add water to try and prolong the life of it. Instead toss and replace it
immediately.
¨
Mascara
and Liquid Eyeliner: 2 to 3 months unless you notice it is dried out
and/or clumpy before than. If you
find yourself going through mascara monthly it may be due to “pumping” the
brush in and out. This helps to
push air into the mascara and speeds up the drying out process. Less pumping
equals less clumping!
¨
Pencil
Eyeliner: 4 to 6 months if used daily, but 12 months max even if used sporadically
(if you have never seen “Clueless” sporadically
means occasionally or irregularly) I am going to repeat myself and say that if you get
any sort of infection and/or irritation in your eyes then your eye products
should be discarded and replaced immediately. With that said, you may be
surprised at the length of time that an eyeliner may last, but using a clean
sharpener at the beginning of each application, and NEVER sharing your
eyeliner, can assist in keeping your eyeliner in good standing.
¨
Cream,
Liquid or Stick Foundations or Concealers: 1 to 2 years. 1 year for
liquids since bacteria is more easily distributed throughout the product and 2
for stick. *Tip: It’s best to apply the product to the back of a clean hand and
then use a sponge or brush to apply.
This way you aren’t dipping a brush or finger into the product, and thus
spreading around bacteria more easily.
o In
addition please reference our Makeup Brush Cleaning blog to ensure that you are
properly cleaning your brushes to assist in prolonging the life and quality of
your makeup.
¨
Powder-based
products (including mineral makeup, eye shadow, blush, etc.): 1 to 2
years if used daily, however if you are using it every day you will most likely
need to replenish your stash quicker than that anyway. But if you are only using these
products once in a while than the max is 2-3 years.
o Again,
don’t forget to check the Makeup Brush Cleaning blog in order to maximize the
timeframe for these products as well.
¨
Lipsticks,
Lip Gloss, & Lip Pencils: About 1-2 years if used regularly,
although you may run out beforehand, but 2-3 years max. Also, don’t feel as
though you need to maintain the pretty shape of your lipsticks, or feel
compelled to use the wands inside the gloss. You can always shave off enough of the product for a single
application, apply it to the back of a clean hand, and use a brush to
apply. Doing this will keep
bacteria from going directly onto the product and will give your
lipsticks/gloss a longer lifespan.
Hopefully this will help you set a timeframe in your mind
for different products, but again do not feel as though you should follow this
religiously. Follow any signs that
your products may give you, whether it be a scent, discoloration, etc. and also
keep in mind infections, irritations, etc. And if your product does have the open container on the back
with a specified usage time shorter than what is listed above you should always
follow that!
For more information on this and other skincare/makeup
related issues, or to order some replacement products, that you now realize you
need,
please call Ruthie’s Eyes at (610)724-3808.
-Sheena of Ruthie's Eyes
