Make Up Expiration Dates

Just like everything else make-up expires. Below is an outline of typical expiration dates for cosmetics. Bear in mind that this is just a guideline and not hard and fast rules if your products start to separate, smell, change color, texture or consistency than chances are they need to be thrown out. To get the most shelf life out of your cosmetics keep the products closed tightly and store them in a cool, dry place. Never, EVER store your makeup in the bathroom all of the heat and humidity from the shower will speed bacteria growth and will cause color change.

As a rule of thumb if you have had an eye infection its best to just throw out all of the makeup you have used so you don’t re-infect your eye. The same goes for any lip infections it’s safer to just toss everything and start fresh. The only items that can be saved after an infection are lipstick, lip liners and pencil eye liners however you must cut roughly an inch off of the product in order for it to be safe to reuse.

Mascara 3-6 Months

Mascara will become flaky and will potentially begin to cause itching when it is going bad. I recommend not splurging on mascara because of the short shelf life. If you absolutely must spend the cash don’t hold onto the mascara past 6 months. Some retailers like Sephora are carrying smaller sizes of popular mascaras for a fraction of the cost so you won’t feel so guilty when you have to throw it away.

Concealer 12 months

However the expiration date changes to 3-6 months when it’s a concealer that has a wand applicator. The pumping of the wand will cause bacteria to get inside the tube and spoil the concealer faster. Your money is better spent on a compact, push up or squeeze tube style concealer.

Pencil Eye Liner 2-3 years

Pencils should be sharpened regularly and stored with their lids on.

Liquid Eye Liner 3-6 months

Just like mascara this will start to flake and dry out and will definitely be itchy on the eye when it starts to go bad.

Eye Shadow 3 years

Cream Eye Shadow 12-18 months

Blush/Bronzer 2 years

Cream Blush 12-18 months

Lip Liner 3 years

Lip liners should be kept sharp and stored with the lid on tightly.

Lipstick 2-4 years

If you store your lipstick in your fridge it will last much longer. If your lipstick starts to smell weird toss it.

Lip Gloss 18-24 months

Foundation – Depends on Formulation

Water-Based foundations will last 12 months (you will know if your foundation is water based if the first ingredient listed on the product is water)

Oil-Based foundations will last for 18 months (you will know if your foundation is oil-based if the first ingredient list on the product is oil).

Makeup sponges should be washed weekly and replaced monthly

Makeup brushes should be washed every 2-3 months with a gentle cleanser (I personally love Johnsons Baby Shampoo it leaves the brushes so soft).

If you use the applicators that come with drugstore cosmetics I would recommend changing them monthly. Drugstores carry replacement applicators for a few bucks.