The theme this week is “how long do you keep that?” Yesterday I covered When to Pitch That Paper and tomorrow I plan to cover food-stuffs. So stay tuned!

Cosmetics have a finite shelf-life. Bacteria can grow from introducing applicators from the skin back into the container. Pigments and oils can separate and become rancid, and the consistency and quality can can diminish with time. It is better to toss that last bit of expensive lipstick than to get a skin rash from bacteria on its tip. Sounds pretty yucky right? Follow a few of the “cleaning tips” at the bottom of the list to keep your make-up items bacteria-free, fresh and beautiful!

Here is a general list of when to pitch what!

• Moisturizer: 3-12 months
• Oil-free foundation: 1 yr
• Cream or compact foundation: 18 months
• Concealer: 12 – 18 months
• Powder: 2 years
• Blush and bronzer: 2 years
• Cream blush: 12 – 18 month
• Powder eye shadow: 2 years; 12 – 18 months cream shadow
• Eyeliner: 2 years
• Liquid eyeliner: 3-6 months
• Mascara: 3 months
• Lipstick: 2 years
• Lip liner: 2 years
• Lip gloss: 18-24 months
• Nail color: 1 year
• Fragrance: 18 months – 2 years

A couple of tips to keep your make-up items clean, fresh, and beautiful:

• To prevent bacterial contamination don’t share cosmetics with other people.
• Wash your hands before applying makeup products and don’t moisten products with saliva. The saliva can get mixed into the product where bacteria can grow and spread infection.
• Don’t use cosmetic products after using it on broken or infected skin. Toss the cosmetics that may be infected with bacteria and open new ones. Also replace eye products after an eye infection.
• Wash or toss disposable sponges and brushes once a week with warm soapy water and allow to air dry. (Make sure the item is completely dry before replacing it in a compact to prevent mould growth.)
• If the item has a funny odor, toss it.
• Keep your cosmetics away from sunlight and heat as this causes swift deterioration.
• Natural cosmetics that don’t contain preservatives should be thrown out sooner than the guidelines above.
• Keep cosmetics in their store packaging until you need to use them. This will extend their shelf life because they aren’t exposed to air.

I hope this helps you organize your make-up stash. Do you have any cosmetic/toiletry organizing tips? Leave a comment here and share with other readers!

UPDATE: for a free printable download version of When to Toss That Make-Up, click here.

Source:

http://cosmetics.suite101.com/article.cfm/makeup_shelf_life

http://www.ivillage.co.uk/beauty/makeup/tips/articles/0,,548145_183872-6,00.html