Beauty Question: How long will my products last?
Nancy (from the comments section!) asks:
I’m not sure if you’ve wrote about this or not, but when should you throw out old products? I’ve heard you need to replace eyeliner and mascara every three months. But what about lipstick that’s three years old? Or foundation that’s two years old, and so on? I’m a product junkie myself, but my little bathroom is gettng a bit overwhelmed with my collection.
I find it nearly impossible to throw away old products, even when they’re getting old, crusty and crumbly. (Well, okay, it’s slightly easier then, but still.) Unfortunately, being too attached to expired products can lead to breakouts and infections—not to mention the fact that your makeup simply won’t look as good as it should. In general, mascaras will last three months; foundation will last for about six months; lipstick will last for a year; and powders (such as blush and eyeshadow) will last between one or two years. Toss perfume within two years—sooner if it’s been in the heat or the sun. A good rule of thumb: liquid formulas (mascara, foundation) breed bacteria quickly, so they should be the first to toss. It’s hard, but worth it—be brutal!
