Expiration Dates

[sparklesweetie]

Julz got me to thinking...I know newer products have symbols on them that give a date to use them by. However, most of my stuff is old. Really old. (Until about a year ago I did not wear make up on a day to day basis.)
So I'm curious as to what I should be throwing out.

I've been told mascara has a life of 6 months. I think the same for lip gloss as well. But what about things like eyeshadow and blush? I think I need to do a serious overhaul of my make up bag (I really don't wear a lot of it) and I would appreciate any guidelines!

[BridalMUA]

Hi Sparkle,
Another excellent question! Yes, generally anything semi-liquid like mascaras, lipglosses generally have a shelf life of 3-6 months. More "creamier" formulations like liquid foundations, cream foundations, creme eyeshadows and cream blushes last a little longer, 12-14 months. Powder based items like eyeshadows and blushes are generally safe for about 2 years. If you have anything older, I would scrape the top surface of the product off with a cosmetic spatula, then take alcohol and clean that layer, then scrape it off. I would do this because you have to remember bacteria from the oils of your eyes or face would be on the top layers with continual use. If you can afford it, I would just replace any powder item if it is 2 years or older especially if you don't use it often.
You may see varying time periods, but when I worked for a cosmetics company, this is what the chemists recommended. However, they also used this rule: No matter how "new" the product is, if it smells bad, toss it!
As always, you lovely ladies are welcome to post additional comments

[Sh@ks18]

Oooh this was a good question! Thanks sparkle, i never thought of asking that

[ladedah]

Do you start counting your time from when you open it??? I sometimes wonder how long items set on the counters of drug stores...kwim?? Especially at make up counters...if they stock from the front...the ones in the back would be older....

[BridalMUA]

With liquid and liquidy-cosmetics, if it's separated or has a layer of oil on the top, it's no good. You should return it right away. For powder or pressed powder products (powder, eyeshadow, blush, bronzer, etc.), if it's sealed tightly or packaged in shrink wrap, it should be fine and you can begin the countdown once it's been exposed to the air. Great question though!

[Sh@ks18]

To add to this, what about expiration dates on facial cleansers, toners, moisturizers and pimple creams?

[BridalMUA]

The company I worked for said 1 year for all facial products (unless they began to smell).

[Sh@ks18]

cool! More excuse to start throwing stuff out I've been holding on to stuff thinking "oh ill use it soon" and end up buying/using the stuff i like.

[morganova]

Wow, I didn't know that lipglosses should be in the same category as mascara! I'm pretty good about not keeping my mascara too long, but I've had some lip gloss for-ever.

[BridalMUA]

I think we've ALL been guilty of that! My rule of thumb is, if it's starts to smell funky, throw it out! Especially with eye and lip stuff. If you think about it, your mouth contains lots of bacteria (gross, I know) and you keep re-applying and it accumulates there. SO, after a few months you have a happy little colony there. Once you've used a lipstick or a lipgloss for a little while, you've got good use out of it and you don't have to feel guilty about tossing it

[HtownNole]

some of the cosmetics companies are beginning to put a little icon on the product that tell how many months it is good for...it looks like a little makeup box with a number in it. It is small so sometimes you have to really look for it.