Are you one of those people who love to experiment with their make-up products? If you are, then you must be aware that experimentation creates a big problem for make-up junkies and fashion hounds. This problem is the pile on of various products which, even though they go out of fashion, are seldom thrown out and keep on occupying space. Apart from that, there are hazards involved with out of date make-up products which can be harmful for your skin as well as your social image. Following is a quick list of products that go out of date and the acceptable amount of time for which they should be used.

1. Blush

It is safe to use your blush if it is not dry or hard.
This product is any woman’s best friend when she needs color on her face. But you should know when to let go of it. When the blush is drying up or is hardening, it is time to throw it away. Usually a blush remains in usable condition for approximately 18 months. Using it beyond this period is risky.

2. Concealer

Do you have an uneven skin tone? A concealed is used for tackling problems of patchy skin. But like any cosmetic product, there is a time when even the best concealer has to be thrown away. It should remain in good condition for 18 months. After this period, it either hardens or does not stay on the face.

3. Cream Blush

A cream blush has a shelf life of 12 to 18 months. Beyond that, it develops a pungent smell and becomes unusable.

4. Powders

Powder is one of the most important yet simple cosmetic products on your dresser. It can be used for settling bronzer, blushes, foundations and other makeup on your face. It can also double up as a foundation when the need arises. Owing to the fact that powder is completely dry and devoid of any moisture, it has a long shelf life. It stays in perfect condition for well over 2 years but only if it is stored in a cool dry place.

5. Gels and Cream Cleansers

These products are the most commonly used products of your makeup kit. They are regarded more as skin care products rather than makeup products. Gels are used for tackling oily skin while cream cleansers are used on a dry skin due to their moisturizing properties. These products last for 12 months. They are wet cosmetic products with chemicals, and once past the expiry date, can be harmful.

6. Pencil Eyeliner

Your eyeliner should be in good condition for 3 years. Keep the pencil sharp and the sharpener clean and dry.

Avoid using your pencil eyeline after 3 years as it may be harmful for your eyes.

7. Eyeshadow

This is one of the most expensive makeup products in your bag. Using proper eyeshadow is essential as it helps to highlight your eyes. You must, however, take extreme care to ensure that your eyeshadow is not infected by bacteria. Always use clean brushes to apply it.

Throw away cracked or dry eyeshadow as it may have bacteria.

8. Makeup Brushes and Sponges

Makeup brushes and sponges are two of the most common accessories that are used for applying makeup. It is essential to keep them clean. Avoid using a sponge more than once. You can also use makeup pads instead of the sponge and change them every month.

Your brushes are no longer usable when the bristles begin to come off.

When it comes to makeup brushes, avoid buying those with metal in them. This is because presence of metal will lead to rusting, decaying and mixing of the metal with the makeup in the long run.

Dry and store makeup brushes in a plastic bag to enhance their life.

9. Foundation

This is a must have product for any woman. It is the base to makeup and is extremely useful in hiding scars, sports, wrinkles, et al from your skin. Foundations are moist. The water based ones will last for a year and the ones with oil base will last for 18 months. But foundation is one of the most widely used cosmetic products, and in case you use it regularly, you will be able to finish it far before the expiry date.

Add toner to your foundation to keep it moist.

Foundations tend to dry up during changes in season. Oil based foundations don’t need any toner addition and will suffice with a good shaking before use.

10. Lip Liners

These are one of the most durable cosmetic products that you can own. They easily last for 3 years. If you are looking for a more durable option, buy pencil lip liners instead of the tubes. The tubes are prone to snapping if extra pressure is applied and also tend to dry up over time. On the other hand, you can use a lip liner pencil for as long as you want. All you need to do is keep the pencil sharp and the sharpener clean.

11. Lipsticks

Lipsticks can last anywhere between 12 months to 4 years depending on its ingredients. To increase its shelf life, store it in a cool dry place. Lipsticks start smelling bad when they are past their usability period. Be very careful not to use them, as they can cause havoc with your digestive system.  

If your lipstick smells like wax, it is unusable.

12. Mascara

Mascara dries and gets spoilt quickly when exposed to air. Therefore, apply your mascara at one go. It has a very low shelf life, so check the expiry date before you use an old one. Even mascara from the best brand has to be discarded after a period of 3-4 months.

13. Nail Polish

The problem with nail polish is that it tends to get gooey and thick if kept unused for a long time. As a result, the bottles tend to tighten and refuse to open. Keep your nail polish in a cold, dry place to keep it bacteria-free. Even if you are not using a certain nail polish, open and close it at regular intervals to prevent it from getting stuck. If your nail polish turns gooey, then using a thinner will help to get it back into usable condition.

The bottom line is, all cosmetics, irrespective of the brand, content and price, come with an expiry date. Using them beyond this date is not good for your skin, eyes or lips et al. Always check the packaging for storing instructions to extend the life span

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