Is it time for you to say goodbye to some of your favorite makeup?  Here’s a guide to know when to hold them and know when it’s time to say, goodbye old makeup.

Goodbye Old Makeup

There is a good chance you used an expired mascara this morning.  We, women, tend to hoard makeup.  Buying new but never throwing out the old.  It is time to stop that!  How long do you keep using your mascara? 4 months, 5 months?  Did you know the recommended time to use mascara once it is opened is 3 months?

  • Don’t keep makeup in your car. The extreme temperatures make your products go bad more quickly plus in the heat, your lipsticks and eyeliners will melt.

  • When using a product that comes in a jar or bottle, always use a cosmetic spatula to transfer the product from the bottle instead of your fingers which can pass bacteria to your products.

  • Once you open a new product the time starts ticking away for when you need to get rid of that item.  Write the date on the product with a sharpie.

  • DO NOT share makeup with anyone!  If you let a friend use your makeup give it to them for keeps!

  • Keep makeup pencil sharpeners clean so you don’t spread bacteria once you sharpen that pencil.

Face Makeup

When To Say Goodbye: Six Months to 1 Year for liquids; Two Years for Powders

Product Shown #1 Clinique #6 Nars #5 MAC #9 Laura Mercier

Eye & Lip Liners

When To Say Goodbye: (Eyeliner, Eye Brow & Lip Liner) Liquid Eye Liner-Three Months, Pencil Eye Liner and Lip Liner-Six to Eight Months

Product Shown #3 Stila

Mascara

When To Say Goodbye: Three Months or Less! **Please follow this one.  An eye infection is horrible.

Product Shown #2 Lancome

Eyeshadow

When To Say Goodbye: Cream Eyeshadow-Six Months  Powder Eyeshadow-Two Years

Product Shown #7 Urban Decay

Lipstick

When To Say Goodbye: One to Two Years

Product Shown: #4 Yves Saint Laurent

Nail polish

When To Say Goodbye: 2 to 3 Years or when nail polish has separated and the colors are dark and cloudy.

Product Shown: #8 Nails Inc

With all this information, please use common sense when deciding if your “old” makeup is ok to use. If your lipstick doesn’t smell the same as it did when it was brand new anymore, if your nail polish is separating with a funky color or your lipgloss is gunky, it’s time to say goodbye old makeup!

The best part of clearing out the old makeup?  You have a reason to buy more!

Until Next Time…