How Long Do Women Keep Their Makeup

We know it's a tough call throwing away your favorite blush or lipstick, just abiding past makeup expiration dates is actually incredibly of import. Why? Cosmetics can trap bacteria, which means replacing them regularly is necessary to try to avert skin irritation, breakouts, eye infections, and styes. Not pretty, correct? Co-ordinate to makeup artist Ashely Rebecca, "Skin irritations such as rashes, bumps, and called-for sensations can occur when using expired products. If you use mascara or eyeliner that'southward past its expiration date, yous can experience swelling, itchiness, or redness. It's always best to see a dermatologist immediately if you experience whatsoever kind of reaction." (And it'southward not just your makeup formulas—cheque out what happened when nosotros tested leaner levels on makeup brushes).

But here's a caveat: Different the contents of your refrigerator, the use-past engagement on your makeup products relies on the start twenty-four hour period yous use them, not the purchase appointment. "If y'all're ever stuck wondering, all products take a small symbol that look like a jar with a number/alphabetic character on the inside, ex: 12M. This ways, usually, that a product has a 12-month shelf life upon opening," says celebrity makeup artist Britty Whitfield. "For makeup, I always follow what the time frame is in the symbol. The worst possible thing would be to apply an onetime, oxidized foundation."

And so how practice you know when to toss that foundation or mascara? Separation or changes in texture along with foul smells are dead giveaways the product has gone bad.

While information technology's crucial to look out for those telltale signs, it'south notwithstanding helpful to get a general idea of how long each product is meant to last. Keep reading to learn the makeup expiration dates for every kind of cosmetic, from blush to eyeliner.

Elnora Turner / Byrdie

Face

Foundation

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation $44.00

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Shelf Life: Six months to ane year

Maintenance Tips:Proceed your foundation germ-free for longer by keeping your fingers abroad from the neck of the canteen. Instead, gently baste the formula onto the back of your hand before you use. If you notice your foundation starting to separate, it's definitely fourth dimension to toss it.

"Products, where you dip your finger to apply on the skin, are more susceptible to bacterial contamination," says Margarita Lolis, Md, of Schweiger Dermatology Group. "Lotions with a pump are generally safer and less likely to be contaminated. Products with less preservatives, such as those made for sensitive, have less preservatives and leaner are more likely to grow."

Liquid Highlight

Benefit High Beam Liquid Highlighter $18.00

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Shelf Life: Vi months to 1 year

Maintenance Tips:While non as long-lasting as their powder counterparts, the liquid highlighter tin can last up to one yr. Shop in a cool, dry place and opt for a disposable applicator when applicable to maximize its shelf life.

Concealer

Tarte Cosmetics Shape Record Concealer $29.00

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Shelf Life: Six months to one year

Maintenance Tips: Similar to foundation, concealer can last up to a yr. Keep the product out of direct sunlight, avert touching the application with your fingers, and when you find separation, it'south time to toss.

Chroma and Powder

MAC Cosmetics Powder Blush $25.00

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Shelf Life: Ii years

Maintenance Tips: The longest-lasting color cosmetics you lot'll ever buy, pulverisation-formula blushes final around two full years. "Ideally, from personal experience, powders can be extended for longer periods of fourth dimension if yous're actively and regularly cleaning your brushes. Otherwise, you're putting old makeup, germs, and skin cells into that powder product every time when your tools are muddied," says Whitfield. Always, always go along your brushes make clean!

Foam Blush and Multiple Sticks

Clinique Stubby Stick Cheek Colour Lotion $26.00

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Shelf Life: 12 to xviii months

Maintenance Tips:Toss cream blush and "multiple" sticks (as in, products yous can utilize on your cheeks and lips) if you observe a modify in texture.

Always use make clean hands when applying any product to help keep the tubes and pots germ-costless.

Lips

Lipstick, Liner, and Gloss

Nars Lipstick $26.00

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Shelf Life: One year

Maintenance Tips: It'southward fourth dimension to toss your favorite lip products when you notice a change in their texture—whether that means they dry out or they go goopy. Brand your favorite red last longer by keeping it in a absurd, dry out identify (not in your hot car).

Eyes

Brow Pencil and Kohl Eyeliner

Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl Smoky Eyeliner $26.00

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Shelf Life: I yr

Maintenance Tips: Pencils can last longer than nigh eye products since they're constantly being sharpened. Continue your liners away from your steamy bath to extend their life.

Mascara

Maybelline Volum' Express the Falsies Mascara $8.00

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Shelf Life:Iii months

Maintenance Tips:Replacing your mascara regularly is crucial for fugitive eye infections. Switch out every three months (or sooner if you observe the formula getting clumpy or starting to olfactory property funny, signaling it's gone bad). And, of form, don't ever share mascara, as it can crusade cross-contagion.

Liquid Eyeliner

Eyeko Line and Define Skinny Liquid Eyeliner $17.00

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Shelf Life:Iii to 4 months

Maintenance Tips: Only like mascara, don't share your liquid eyeliner—germs are your biggest enemy with this blazon of beauty product.

The more wet the production has—or the closer it comes to your eyes—the shorter its life span.

Eye Shadow

Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyeshadow Unmarried $12.00

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Shelf Life: Three to six months

Maintenance Tips: While pulverisation shadows can concluding every bit long as powder blushes (about two years), they should be replaced more than oft since they're used around your optics.

Gel Eyeliner

Stila Cosmetics Smudge Pot $twenty.00

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Shelf Life: Ii months

Maintenance Tips:Unfortunately, a pot of gel eyeliner should just be used for a few months since it easily traps bacteria.

Fragrance

Chanel No. v Eau de Parfum $108.00

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Shelf Life: Three to five years

Maintenance Tips: Fragrance is the longest-lasting product in your beauty routine—by far! Max out your perfume's shelf life by keeping your scents out of direct sunlight. (Some brands, like Le Labo, even advise storing them in the fridge).

Nail Shine

JINsoon Nail Lacquer $18.00

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Shelf Life: I to two years

Maintenance Tips:Estrus and direct sunlight will make your shine dissever and become discolored faster, so store your lacquers upright in a cool, dry place. At that place are also tricks to help you extend the life of polish that has gone goopy.