Spring Clean Your Makeup

blonde woman checking her makeup in a small mirror

Your makeup does have an expiration date and it is important for you to follow it. The reason being is that the longer you use your makeup past the expiration date, the higher the chances of you coming in contact with bacteria. This could cause skin irritation and eye infections.

Most products do have a symbol on the jar. This symbol signifies the number of months you have until the item is no longer usable. Some cosmetics do not have an expiration date on their packaging so you’ll have to keep track of this yourself. A great tip for helping to keep track: use a marker to write down the purchase date of the cosmetic.

Here are a few general timelines to follow: your concealer will usually last 12-18 months, your mascara, foundation, lip liner, and nail polish can last you 12 months. Liquid eyeliner has one of the shortest shelf lives, lasting only about 6 months. Another general rule of thumb for expiration: if it smells funny and looks funny, you should throw it out. If your nail polish is separating, or your gloss is greasy, it’s time to toss them.

What you don’t need to toss are your makeup brushes. These can easily be cleaned to get rid of the buildup of oil that accrues over time. What you’ll need is a tablespoon of white vinegar and a cup of hot water. Mix the two together and soak your brushes for 20 minutes. Rinse with hot and cold water after the soak, and pat dry.

For more information or questions concerning this post contact the “Beauty Expert” Donna Fay Graziano.