Did you know that makeup also has a shelf life?
You probably also know that you are one of those who have had lipstick with you for a whole year because it is your favorite? Or have you been using an eye palette for a couple of years, but only occasionally to keep it as long as possible? You probably also have your favorite mascara stored in your purse?
We have all encountered this at least once in our lives and never thought that makeup also has a recommended shelf life.
It is mostly printed on the back of the product marked ‘M’. Before ‘M’ is the number of the month. So for so many months the product is usable from the day of opening.
But I have prepared a short list of make-up and what the actual application dates are.
For starters, here are some tips on how to handle makeup.
- Wash your hands before applying make-up – we probably don’t want to transfer bacteria from our hands to make-up at the beginning of make-up. We have heard a lot about this in all the media lately, so hand hygiene is not ruled out here either.
- Don’t share make-up with others – each individual has their own make-up and the worst thing is to borrow make-up, as this multiplies bacteria and the make-up can be discarded ahead of time.
- Do not add water to makeup (for thinning) – water will not improve the durability of makeup, but will only destroy makeup.
- Store them in a dry place and do not expose them to the sun or heat – in addition, it is important that we do not have a lot of moisture in the room, as it further destroys the makeup. Sun and heat as well. Although we are all used to storing makeup in the bathroom, I recommend storing it in a room where less moisture is present, thus maintaining the quality of the makeup.
EXPIRY DATE
Mascara – 2 to 3 months
Mascara lasts the least time of all makeup. It is very important to change the mascara every three months.
When mascara is applied and dipped back into the ink, bacteria and dust accumulate directly on the stick. Because of the bacteria on the stick, there is such a high probability that our eyes become inflamed if we use mascara for too long. Expired mascara can cause so-called conjunctivitis, in which the eye turns pink-red, and discharge is also possible. If your mascara hardens or dries, do not try to revive it with eye drops or water.
Liquid eyeliner – 3 months
Like mascara, liquid eyeliner needs to be replaced every three months. Because these products are used on the sensitive area, ie the eyes, they are very prone to infections. The product is also very prone to bacteria, conjunctivitis and itching and redness around the eyes.
Flawless lashes eyeliner that is compatible with false eyelashes can be found HERE .
Liquid foundations, concealers – 6 to 12 months
Bacteria grow even easier if we have substrates stored in a warm and humid environment. Understandably, it’s easiest for all of us to store makeup in the bathroom, but if at all possible, at least store liquid foundation somewhere else. Spilled liquid foundations can contain a dangerous bacterium that causes perioral dermatitis if spilled powder is used. This shows up as small red bumps that look like acne.
Lipstick – 12 months
Whether the lipstick is liquid or creamy, it needs to be replaced within a year. On liquid lipstick, bacteria accumulate on a stick, while on cream lipstick, the tip of the lipstick is very exposed to bacteria. The top of the lipstick can be cleaned with a tissue to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Shadows in stone, powders in stone – 12 to 24 months
Powdered products have a longer shelf life because the dry texture is the least bacteria -borne and consequently least proliferating. It is important, however, that the products are tightly closed and not exposed to air.
Cream eyeshadows and cream products last only 6 months and need to be changed for that long.
Nail polish – up to 24 months
Nail polishes are not a problem in principle. But because we like several different colors, varnishes often remain unused. Varnishes tend to dry, harden and become unusable.
Tip: The polish will last you longer if you keep it in the fridge.
Brushes
It is also very important to clean your brushes regularly (once a week). There is a huge amount of bacteria hidden in the brushes and as a result we get unwanted acne on the face. Everything we use needs to be cleaned and disinfected regularly, even if most people think that it is not necessary to do so if the product is used only by you. Also, if the brush is already falling apart, it needs to be replaced, as a falling brush does us more harm than good.
If you are still unsure about whether a product is still usable or not, pay attention to the following signs that are an indication that the product is no longer usable.
- The smell of the product has changed
- Makeup was exposed to prolonged heat
- The texture of the product has obviously changed
- Mold has formed on the product
So dear girls, before we buy a bunch of make-up again, let’s think about what we really need so that we don’t throw away make-up after a couple of months or use make-up that has already expired.
There are never too many tips on the proper use of makeup, so we’ll be typing again soon!
Špela;)