- Always wipe the brush after using if the concealer comes in a wand and brush package, especially if you’re trying to cover a spot that may harbour bacteria. These concealers are more easily contaminated than stick ones, because they ‘feed’ bacteria back into the container.
- Ideally, use a stick or pump dispenser concealer on spots and pimples.
Powder – 2 Years
Tips for Powder Usage
Wash sponges or brushes at least once a week. Either use soap and warm water or invest in a brush cleaner solution, available at most department stores.
Foundation - Water Based: 12 Months, Oil Based: 18 Months.
Most foundation packaging are designed for them to last that long anyway, so if you’ve still got it after at max 2 years, you never loved it, so chuck it!
Cream Foundation – Toss after 3 months
Mineral Makeup – 2 Years, but its generally recommended that you replace them after a year or so.
Tips for Foundation Usage
- Throw foundation away if it starts to look or smell different or if ingredients start to separate.
- Ideally, always wash the sponges (in compact foundation, for example) at least once a week. Use soapy water and allow to dry naturally. Make sure the sponge is completely dry before placing back into the container or compact, or this could encourage mould to grow.
- If you want to prolong shelf life by a few months, keep your foundation in the fridge. Otherwise store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
- Be extremely careful when using foundation near broken or infected skin. Scoop a small amount onto a plastic dish with a spatula, then put the container away so you don’t accidentally contaminate the pot. Use a medicated formulation or concealer on the affected area.
- If available, choose a foundation in a tube or pump dispenser. These
are good because the product can’t slip back into the container after it has been exposed to air. The risk of contamination with bacteria is therefore greatly reduced.
Pencil Eye Liner – Should be sharpened regularly to preserve and keep them clean. Will last up to 3 years.
Lip Liner – 3 Years
Tips for Eye and Lip Liner Usage
- Throw away eyeliner if you have an eye infection.
- Do not use a lipliner if you have a cold sore.
- Do not share eyeliner or lipliners.
- Keep out of sunlight and heat.
Eyeshadows – Will last up to 3 Years. Powder – 2 Years. Cream – 12 – 18 Months. Powder eyeshadows can last for ages because they are mainly pigmented pressed powder. Cream eyeshadows have a shorter shelf life because, like cream blushes, they use emulsions that break down over time.
Tips for Eyeshadow Usage
- Wash brushes and applicators at least once or twice a week or more if you are using one applicator to apply different shades.
- Wash hands if using fingers to apply.
- Do not use eyeshadow if you have an eye infection, as this may aggravate the area and make the problem worse. Also, you may unwittingly pass the bacteria on to the rest of the eyeshadow with the applicator or your finger.
Blusher – Powder Blush: 2 Years, Cream Blush: 12 – 18 Months. After 2 years, powder blushes may get dry and develop slippery textures due to constant contact with natural skin oils. And it’s obvious if it changes colour, that it’s no longer in it’s prime.
Cream blushes have a shorter life because they contain emulsions, which are less stable and break down over time.
Tips for Blusher Usage
- Wash blusher brush and sponge once a week or more often if they look dirty.
- Wash hands before applying cream blush.
Brushes – Wash at least every 2-3 months with a mild detergent
Sponges – Wash weekly and discard monthly
Lipstick/Lip Gloss – 1-2 Years. When it smells rancid, throw it out. Colours may also change after a year or so and ladies who keep them in purses/handbags should be aware that body heat and outdoor/indoor heat will affect the consistency of the lipstick.
Tips for Lipstick Usage
- Bin it if the lipstick feels dry, scratchy or changes colour.
- Never use lipstick if you have a cold sore. Throw it out if you accidentally use it on a cold sore, otherwise it may spread.
- Don’t share lipsticks
- If you use a lip brush, wash it at least once a week.
Tips for Lipgloss Usage
- Wash hands if you are using your finger to apply.
- Wash the lip brush at least once a week. Don’t use if you have a cold sore.
Mascara - 4 Months. Make sure you’re diligent about replacing these ones to prevent contamination and infection. Also, never push your wand in and out as it makes the mascara liquid dry faster
Tips for Mascara Usage
- Stick to one mascara and use it regularly so you finish it within a few months. This is far better than alternating between a number of different mascaras, which means you keep them longer and increase the risk of contamination.
- Never add water or other liquid to mascara to keep it from drying out, as this can cause the preservative to become diluted and therefore offer less protection against germs.
- Never share mascara, as this is the most common way to pass on eye infections such as conjunctivitis.
- Don’t use the same mascara if you’ve just had an eye infection, and buy a new one to minimise your chances of the infection coming back.
- Don’t use saliva to moisten mascara. The bacteria from your mouth may get into the mascara, which can encourage bacteria to grow and cause infection.
- Always wash your hands before applying mascara to cut down the risk of passing on bacteria with your hands.
- Keep mascara in a clean place. Don’t let it come into contact with dust or dirt that may harbour harmful bacteria.
Nail Polish - 12 Months
Skincare
Cream & Gel Cleansers – 1 Year
Toners and Essences – 1 Year. The potency of its ingredients particularly Vitamin C and AHA is lost after a year or so.
Eye Gels and Creams – 3 Months. Daily exposure to air and germs makes this the most contaminated product
Moisturiser – 3 – 12 Months. Buy a moisturiser one at a time and use it daily. Its important to finish this quickly before the shelf life expiry date as natural ingredients and essential oils in these products lose their efficacy after a certain time
Tips for Moisturizer Usage
- Use one moisturiser for the day and one for the night, and use them one at a time. It’s a common mistake to buy three or four similar products, open them all and alternate using them. Chances are you won’t use them all within the allotted time and they’ll end up going off.
- Throw a product away the moment it starts to change colour, smell off or the oils and fats begin to separate, which you’ll be able to see.
- Keep out of direct sunlight and heat.
- Try not to stick your fingers in the pot if you can help it, as this decreases the chance of introducing unwanted bacteria into the product. Use a clean, plastic spatula or a spoon instead
Anti Aging and Acne Treatments – 3 Months to 1 Year. Antioxidants are easily oxidized so lookout for changes in colour.
Sunscreen – Check the package for expiration date
Bodycare
Body Lotion – Two to three years, particularly if it’s in a pump container
Bath Oil - 1 Year
Fragrance/Perfume – 2 Years. To get more longevity out of your perfume, stash it in a cool, dark place instead of openly on your vanity/dresser.
Tips for Fragrance Usage
- Prolong the shelf life by keeping the fragrance in the fridge.
- Keep it out of direct sunlight, and preferably in its box.
- Store it in moderate temperature, as fragrance will go off quicker if kept in warm conditions.
- Throw away if it changes colour (especially if it goes darker) or starts to smell differently.
- Remember that fragrance is a common cause of allergies and irritations. If you notice any odd reaction, stop using it.
Bar Soap - Up to 3 Years
Deodorant - Up to 2 Years
Haircare
Shampoo, Conditioner & Shower Gel – 3 Years
Hairstyling Products – 3 – 5 Years. Most are alcohol based which helps preserve the formula
The above really serves as an estimation guide only. Keeping in mind that most products we use are exposed to our fingers, germs and airborne particles, chances are they’re probably contaminated long before their expiry dates. Daily open exposures will foster bacteria growth. Even though most products contain paraben, a chemical fungicide, it is inevitable that they get contaminated anyway. The product will soon cease to be effective and all your raves on it may become rants. Be sure to notice when all of a sudden your staple products’ causing a reaction or worse yet, infections.
Kanebo Morning White UV Essence with SPF 19
To be honest, I don’t really like the day moisturizer in this set simply because I think it isn’t really hydrating and does not really serve the purposes of a good moisturizer. It’s quite watery, almost like a water-based sunscreen and in fact, that’s precisely the purpose I use it for. I use the product only occasionally on top of my moisturizer as a sunscreen as I feel that it fits that purpose and only that purpose best. I cannot wear it on it own as it makes my skin dry and drab, and that is why it isn’t the best day moisturizer for me.
Kanebo Night White Moist Pack Essence
Though I hated its day counterpart, I truly love the night moisturizer. Its rich, thick and creamy and can even be used really thick as sleeping/night mask. However, since I do not want the product to finish THAT quickly, I use it only as my night moisturizer. Its very hydrating and its rich texture really injects in a lot of moisture into the skin. Skin feels soft and fresh, not parched or dry at all. It’s a perfect addition to my winter skin care regime as it really helps moisturize and re-hydrate my dry skin.
Most women buy beauty products rather impulsively and there are times when we just plainly do not like using them, and we end up just storing them away. I’ve just thrown away a couple of products ranging from lipsticks, eyeshadows, lipglosses a couple of days ago, some of which have been in my cosmetics collection for a couple of years now….;) Much much beyond its shelf life, to my utter chagrin. :O I’ve simply just been ignoring them all these years.
I love some of the collections from Pure Luxe, but have never gotten around to purchasing it yet. Personally, I would prefer the more cute-sy pink and peachy blush colours as seen in the collection below, than the ones my sister has. But oh well, till I get it on my own, I’ll just have to nick this every now and then for a little taste of Pure Luxe blushes.
