Spring Cleaning Series

How long has it been since you've cleaned out your makeup drawer or bag? If you're like most women, you may not be able to remember. To help with the clean up, I've put together a list of products and their suggested expiration dates. Keep in mind these are all suggested use within dates- you probably won't get an infection using your eye shadow from high school, but you will most likely have more breakouts using a three year old foundation.

Foundations: 1 to 2 years

Water based foundations are only good for one year, and oil based foundations are good up to two years. Using an expired foundations could cause breakouts and irritation.
Concealer: 1 to 2 years
Liquid concealers are only good for a year, where as stick or powder concealers can be used up to two years. Concealer is used to cover up blemishes, not create them!

Setting powder, powder bronzer and powder blushe: 2 years

Liquid bronzer and cream blush: 1 year

Mascara: 3 months
Mascara is definitely the product that we need to be the most careful with because as the brush is taken out, applied and placed back in the tube it takes with it any bacteria. Lingering bacteria can cause itchiness and redness, and even pink eye and sties. 

Eyeliner: 2 years

Lipstick and lip liner: 2 years

Lipgloss: 1 year

Moisturizers and other skincare: 2 years

Brushes: When properly taken care of they can last years.
Watch out for part 2 of my spring cleaning series to find out how often and how to clean your brushes!