Spring is here, ladies, and whilst we often do a spring clean of our wardrobe and garage, we often forget about our makeup drawer. When was the last time you went through your blushes, lipsticks and eyeliners and tossed anything you haven’t worn in years or that you purchased back in the 90s? It’s amazing to me that so many women are unaware that makeup has an expiration date, and like your dairy products from the supermarket, once beauty products are opened, there’s an ideal time frame in which to use them.
Often, when I have makeup lessons with clients, I invite them to bring their makeup bags so we can go through them together and make little piles of what to toss, what to keep and what to invest in during their next visit to their favourite makeup store. Women feel so much better after a little decluttering and trust me; your makeup bag is no exception! If you haven’t used it for over a year, it’s time to let it go and treat yourself to some new products. So, without any further procrastinating, here is my quick guide to what to purge and what to save.
FOUNDATION
Any liquid/cream foundations, once opened, will begin to oxidise and, over time, can change colour. The absolute maximum time to keep powder foundation is two years, but I would look at liquids and creams anywhere from 6-12 months and make sure they haven’t begun to separate.
LIPSTICK/LIPGLOSS
Lipsticks will begin to smell funny when they are due for the rubbish, and trust me when I say that when they smell like that, you won’t want them on your lips! 12-24 months is the maximum I would keep lip products as they can build up with bacteria and also dry out.
POWDER SHADOWS/POWDER BLUSHES/FACE POWDER
Most powder products generally last longer than anything that’s a liquid or cream formula. I would keep any powder makeup for two years. If you’re still using your favourite blush after this time and you have lots of product left, it doesn’t hurt to keep it a little longer.
MASCARA/EYELINER
Now, these are two products that women love to hang onto. Why?! How many of you have applied your makeup and then, throughout the day, seem to have an eye that just won’t stop weeping? That’s often a sign that it’s time to replace your mascara/liner. These two products should be looked at after three months and not kept any longer than six months. Yep, six months, ladies! Bacteria can build up in mascaras and liquid liners, and with pencils, ensure you are always sharpening them to keep them clean.
One final tip to keep your makeup clean and bacteria-free is to clean and sanitise the product with rubbing alcohol. ISOCOL can be purchased at any supermarket or pharmacy, and using it with a small pump bottle, you can spray your lipsticks and wipe your foundation bottles, etc, to keep everything clean and fresh.