A common mistake many people make with make up products is not keeping up with the expiration date, which every article of make up does have. By not throwing out old make up you are allowing bacteria to just fester on your face, so here are some tricks to help you know when your make up is expired:
Mascara- This is the product that should be on the top of your list of things that go bad easily. You are constantly taking the brush out and putting it back in and then applying it to your lashes. Think about all the bacteria that you are putting into your eye. Mascaras should last about 2-3 months. You can also tell if mascara has gone bad by smelling it: if it smells like gasoline toss it in the trash
Foundation- Due to the fact that most foundations are water based, they are usually infested with bacteria far sooner than you would want. If you haven’t actually broken the seal to the foundation they can last for up to a couple of years but if the seal is broken give the foundation 6-12 months and then throw it away. Also make sure you aren’t storing your foundation in moist areas like the bathroom or too hot places like near a radiator because both of these places help to spoil the formula and allow for bacteria to fester. All make up has a scent to it but when a foundation goes bad you should be able to tell if there is an off smell to it, also the coloring should be off. All of these factors could lead to potential breakouts and pimples.
Face Powder- Face powder lasts a pretty decent amount of time, up to 2 years. In rare cases some powders are formulated with small amounts of water, which puts the product at risk of growing bacteria. Make sure you are aware of the ingredients in your powder, paying close attention to anything that could contain moisture, and throw out anything that has been lying around for too long
Blush- Face powder and blush fall under the same category basically. If you have cream blush this should only last up to a year. To prolong the life of your blush ensure that you are cleaning your make up brush regularly and storing your blush in a dark, dry place. If you are applying blush over a cream or liquid foundation you should take even more precautions with your blush brush and really clean it because it can get bacteria on it just from touching your cream or liquid foundation. You can tell if your blush has gone bad if it has developed a white or chalky layer on top. Also if the formula is extremely hard and won’t come out on the brush, give it a toss.
Eye shadows –Surprisingly you should throw your eye shadows out after about 3 months of use. You might be confused because eye shadows are basically like face powder, but they aren’t. You are constantly applying it to your eyes, which have mucous membranes, which in turn can lead to the growth of bacteria. Make sure you are cleaning your eye shadow brushes every time after you use them.
Eyeliner- Whether you use a pencil or liquid liner they should both be replaced after about 3 months of use. This is due in fact that they are constantly touching a sensitive area and have the risk of spreading bacteria without any signs of contamination. If you have used an old liquid liner you will notice an irritation in your eyes and even sometimes conjunctivitis. Pencil liners can last a little bit longer if you make sure to constantly sharpen it, but if it has gone bad you will notice a white film developing on the tip.
Lipstick and Lipgloss- Surprisingly this stuff does not go bad as easily as one would expect because there is no water in them. Usually you should replace them in about a year or after you have been sick. If a lipstick has gone bad you will notice that it doesn’t apply easily, and the pigment doesn’t spread effortlessly. Lip gloss will come out goopy and also won’t spread well, so toss em if they show any of these signs
Brushes- Brushes are a main source of bacteria so make sure you are cleaning them regularly. After every use you should wipe them off with a clean towel or a paper towel, and every 2 weeks you should clean them with a gentle hair shampoo or an antibacterial dish soap. If you use make up sponges from the drug store those should be thrown out after about 2 uses because they are said to be “bacteria pits”. Finally use an antibacterial spray that can be found anywhere from Sephora to Target.
-Kristen
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