• Rewards Room
    • You are here
    Home / Makeup / Foundation / Primer / When to part from your powder and paint

    When to part from your powder and paint

    Updated:23 Oct 2014 3:41 PM | Posted by
    Team bh's picture
    Team bh
    Comment

    It can be extremely tricky to know when to throw out your make-up, particularly as many beauty products don’t show an expiry date. Or even if they do, it was on the outer packaging that you threw out ages ago. Nevertheless, every product has a shelf life so it’s imperative you know when to break-up with your favourite make-up items. As heart wrenching as this can be, it is a perfectly good excuse to buy new products!

    Unfortunately for consumers, “manufacturers are not required by law to display a product’s shelf life,” says make-up artist Cassandra Rae Ferguson. If an expiry date is missing from your favourite beauty buy, check if it has a picture of an open jar anywhere on the packaging. Alongside this, there should be a number, followed by an M. This is called Period After Opening (PAO), and it indicates how many months of use your product will keep for. If this symbol is nowhere to be found, then read on for our tips on when to clear out your cosmetics…

    Foundation

    If you’re a fan of mineral make-up, then we have some good news for you! “Most face powders can last two years or more,” says Yolanda Lukowski, make-up artist. However, if you love the dewy, luminous finish of a liquid foundation, you may have to be prepared to swap formulas more often. “Liquid foundations may spoil if they are exposed to sunlight or heat. You will know if they have spoilt by separation in the formula. Anything that smells funny needs to be tossed in the bin,” advises Lukowski.

    Eyeliner and eyeshadow

    Depending on the type of eye colour you use, these products can last a year or two. Powder eyeshadows in particular have the most longevity, lasting up to two years. Cream or gel eyeshadows won’t last quite as long, (six to twelve months) but the upshot is that regular clean-outs mean you can try a new colour every season! Liquid eyeliners should be pried from your hands after six months, but pencil eyeliners, if regularly sharpened, can last up to three years!

    Mascara

    It can be tempting to keep using your favourite mascara forever, especially if it’s made a significant dent in your savings. “I heard a great story about a girl who bought a YSL mascara for $50 and kept it for a YEAR because it was so expensive! She wondered why it was so dry and didn't really work anymore,” says Lukowski. Although it’s depressing (and costly!) to part with your favourite luxe mascara every three months, it’s essential for the health of your eyes. “The moment [your mascara] feels dry or flaky is the moment you need to toss it out. Particles of mascara may fall into the eye and irritate them,” says Lukowski. “If you do tend to go through mascaras quickly, then stick to the cheaper brands.”

    Lipstick and lip gloss

    The general consensus on lipstick is that it can last one to two years, but you’ll know if it should be ditched sooner just by looking at it. “Lipstick can turn rancid or waxy if it is very old, and lip gloss can turn thick and sticky. If this happens, throw away,” says Lukowski. This gives you a chance to hit up the beauty counters and try all the limited edition colours anyway.

    Nail polish

    It’s fairly easy to recognise if nail polish has passed its use-by-date. If the formula has turned gluggy and lost its ease of application, it’s time to bin it. If, (like most of the beautyheaven office), you’re obsessed with changing your nail colour week to week, try switching to a brand that packages smaller bottles, such as Mavala Switzerland nail colours. These last just as long as the latest nail trend, and at $7.95, you can afford to be fickle with your nail colour.

    Brushes and Sponges

    Ferguson suggests using a palette knife to scoop a small amount of make-up out onto a ceramic tile or the back of your hand to avoid contaminating your products. “Dipping brushes back and forward from your face to your make-up can spread bacteria from your skin to the product, shortening the shelf life.” If you can’t live without using brushes and sponges, wash them regularly in soapy water and leave them to air dry. This will ensure that bacteria doesn’t have the chance to breed – and just because you can’t see the little critters doesn’t mean they aren’t there! The truth hurts doesn’t it? - or at least makes you want to wash your brushes more regularly…

    Finally, always store your products in a cool, dark place to ensure their longevity. “Keep creamy products such as lipsticks, stick foundations and lip and eye pencils refrigerated in warmer weather,” says Ferguson. And while you might think your products are good enough to eat, we strongly advise against it…

    - Kate Moffatt

    66 Member Comments

    Petal 23 Oct 2014 3:41 PM

    I only discovered that makeup and skin care had expiry dates a few years ago. I threw all of my beauty products out and started again. Now I always discard products at their suggested expiry date. I keep a note of when I bought my products to help me keep track of things.

    apple8 17 Oct 2012 10:29 AM

    I hang on to my makeup even though I don't use half of them, time for spring cleaning.

    FeatheredBeauty 26 May 2012 7:57 AM

    Sorry BH but nail polish never goes bad. If it goes thick (which can happen with age) simply add nai polish thinner and it will be as good as new.

    Dreamy 10 Sep 2010 6:42 AM

    All cosmetic products have expiry date and shelf life.All mascaras irrespective of brand and price start drying after a while.

    Magda84 7 Jan 2010 10:53 AM

    Oops...I think I need to go through my make-up box...:(

    Anishakatt 18 Dec 2009 10:15 AM

    OMG, shocking. But i cant throw my stuff away!! groans1

    DanniiBeauty 6 Dec 2009 3:05 AM

    I guess if you dont use it then it needs to be tossed. If its still good and doesn't look yuck then its safe to use especially if you store it in a dark cool room

    Prettypearls 7 Oct 2009 2:28 PM

    I invest in a good set of make-up brushes and clean them regularly to maintain the quality of the brushes as I intend to keep them for years.

    In terms of liquid foundation, I try to be reasonable and only invest in foundation that I know I will use within year and even though it is very tempting to try out other foundations even when I have not finished my current one. As for powders, this is an easier task as I tend to change powders every 6 months or so. In terms of mineral foundation, I only invest in one which I usually throw out within a 1 -1.5.

    I don't have a big range of lipsticks or lip glosses. I am quite simple when it comes to colour choices in my lipsticks or lip glosses, as I tend to like pinks and clear/nude colours. I usually throw mine out within 2 years for lipsticks and lip glosses I update every 4-6 months as I tend to use them up quicker.

    I usually update my mascara between 4-8 months as they dry up quickly. I update my eye liners every 1-1.5 years.

    I also throw my sponges usually after two uses.

    I also don't update my eyeshadows often as I tend to throw them out within 2 years.

    Then there's blushes which I update every 8-12 months.

    I actually update my skincare more often than my make-up

    Sweetlolliepop64 17 Apr 2009 9:44 PM

    iv had my mascara for over 3 months and nothings wrong with it but if i start to feel or see anything different from it then it will be time to throw it out. thanx the tips though

    Vanity Fair23 29 Mar 2009 8:56 AM

    I was finalyl brave enough to part with a few old tubes of mascara a couple of weeks ago. One was a chanel and one was a lancome so it took a bit of courage.

    Little miss sunshine 13 Mar 2009 6:11 AM

    Great piece

    Gina 2392 8 Feb 2009 2:59 AM

    Wow, thisis really useful!! Now i knwo ehn to throw ut productsespecially my mascara! Although when I need another one , It;s uauly cause I've gone through it all!!

    But peopel who buy chanel mascaras I don't get. I mean if it lasts of a few months why a few a $60 mascara ewhn you can getaa cheaper and perfectly good mascara for $20.

    Hasty3 26 Jan 2009 3:56 AM

    oh, i didnt noe that at all, i am on my way now to chuck alot of my old cosmetics out,

    emms32 13 Jan 2009 5:06 AM

    that picture is beautiful ! a tip i read is to dip your eye liner pencil into that anticeptic hand gel that dry instnatly .. keeps the nastys away

    Dedide 11 Oct 2008 11:06 PM

    It is sad when your favourite lippy has been discontinued .... and you have to through the one you have out....

    WildTiger 23 Sep 2008 6:52 AM

    I'll have to go through my makeup too.

    Pusstiss 18 Sep 2008 3:42 AM

    Wow bh angels I wasn't aware there was used by date for so many products, wouldn't it be great to have them stamped on the products as is with food. A safe and gentle reminder to us all, I worked with a woman some time ago who often encountered eye conditions, I dare so to do with her mascara which was caked on to the point of blobs one day she asked me to take her shopping for a b/day gift and I purposely took her to Myers advising the girls not to be shocked by her makeup application. She was thrilled when they invited her to have a makeover done with a new product range while I shopped. She looked a new person and is now able to ward off been the victim of having a permanently bad hair day!

    Bby megzi 16 Aug 2008 6:58 AM

    make up is treasure i would neva chuk it out lol gota lun mineral make up

    VixenQueen 1 Jul 2008 6:43 AM

    Oh my.... lock me up im a make up hoarding criminal!!!

    lilychemgirl 19 Jun 2008 8:18 AM

    Yeah, I Love mineral makeup too, and although I don't throw my mascara out every 3 months I do regularly, which is why I usually try to get the small 'sample' sizes ;) Which generally last me that long anyway, lol. Otherwise I stick to good old maybelline for mascara. Eyepencils last longer because when you sharpen them you scrape off the top layer that harbours bacteria.

    Inkninja 16 Jun 2008 9:52 AM

    I love mineral make up, and I'm glad to know that they last far more than most do. I also regularly buy new mascara as I'm quite paranoid about taking care of my eyes. The brushes and sponges tip was very helpful as I wasn't aware of the potential dangers of contamination from skin to product. Thanks heaps BH!

    lgauci 16 Jun 2008 12:07 AM

    Im glad that most make up can last at least for 2 years.I use most of my make up within 2 years but always throw away any mascara after 6 months.Lipstick is something that I wear most days as I have very dry lips Kate and thanks for sharing this very special information.

    lodz_au 15 Jun 2008 2:15 AM

    I have a miressence mascara and it says that if it starts to get dry you can add water. What if you don't use mascara every day, I might use mascara at most once a week, so after 12 applications I have to throw it out? I knew of this 3 mth thing already which is why I won't spend more than $10 on a mascara but its still a waste to throw out a practically full mascara away. Also, I have lipsticks and foundations that are 5+ years old and I still use them with no problems. They don't smell but they do seperate so I give them a shake and their fine. I think alot of this is to do with consumerism, companies trying to get us to buy more crap. If it doesn't give you a rash or cause any problems, alot of people in the past were probably happily using old makeup, being none the wiser and nothing has happened to them!

    Annie Louise 14 Jun 2008 12:10 PM

    I never realised that makeup actually had a expiry date, This may sound silly but I always thought that it would last until I used it up. I have powder eyeshadows and lipsticks that I have had for years (since I was 13!) and they appear to be fine. I'm going to have to go through and do a big clean out now, and buy some replacements. This has also gotten me wondering, Does this mean that skincare products have expiry dates as well? I will definitly look into this futther..

    Neverland 13 Jun 2008 2:18 AM

    Wow this is really interesting! You should only keep mascara's for about three months? Hmm I might have to bin a few things after reading this article and ofcourse buy some more. Thanks BH. I also liked how someone commented about consumerism and it's a waste, nice to hear people considering the environment.

    Pages

    You need to log in or become a member to post a comment.
    TOP