Makeup Advice: Product Expiration and Hygiene

psst makeup expiration dates are the worst kept secrets!

I’m not trying to freak you out but many makeup products provide the perfect breeding ground for bacteria! So no you DEFINITELY SHOULDN’T use that eye shadow that you’ve found at the bottom of your makeup case that is at least 5 years old!

Below is the expiration period for different makeup products and why. The time period I give starts once the product is opened.

Liquid Face and Eye Makeup
including: foundations, concealers, highlighters, cream blush and cream eyeshadow

Six Months

Liquid makeup products contain water which provide the breeding grounds for bacteria. It also tends to separate after some time and the oil rises to the top which causes it to be applied with an inconsistent finish.

Powder Face and Eye Makeup
including: foundations, concealers, blush, bronzer, finishing powder, highlighters and eyeshadow

Two Years

Powder makeup contains only trace amounts of water so bacterial growth is minimal. Over time powder products become harder to blend and crumbles due to the evaporation of this water. Ageing eyeshadows may become hard to use as they are packed down and brushes may not pick up the product as well. If you wet your eyeshadows they should be thrown out after six months.

Mascara and Liquid Eye Liner

Three Months

Mascara and liquid eye liner are the wettest makeup products so bacterial growth inside the tubes is rapid. Mascara dries out quite quickly and starts to form clumps upon application  due to the lengthening and thickening fibres separating from the fluid which occurs around the three month mark. To slow down the rate at which mascara and liquid eye liner dry out, don’t pump the wand in and out of the tube. Instead remove it slowly while twisting the brush to pick up the product.

Eye Liner and Lip Liner 

Two Years

Liners last longer as every time you sharpen them a clean surface is revealed and the amount of bacteria is reduced. They also don’t contain much water so bacteria growth is minimal.

Lipstick and Gloss

Two Years

Lipsticks and glosses are applied directly to the lips so they pick up the bacteria that is on them.  Lipsticks dry out with age and they no longer look creamy after about two years. Some long-wearing lipsticks may have a shorter life as they contain ingredients that evaporate more quickly than in regular lipsticks.

Hygiene Tips

Being hygienic when dealing with our makeup application is extremely important as products containing excess bacteria can cause skin irritation and break outs

• wash your makeup brushes and applicators, including eyelash curlers and liner sharpeners, at least once every two weeks
• avoid dipping brushes, applicators and fingers into makeup products, such as liquid foundation as this will increase the spread of bacteria
• if you used your fingers to apply your foundation make sure you wash them first!
• avoid touching products, such as lipsticks, directly to your lips when you are sick as this will increase the amount of bacteria on them and may cause deterioration of the lips if used again in the future
• mark each of your products with either the month and year that you purchased them or the month and year they expire. Go through your makeup case once a month and throw out the products that have expired
• remember: if in doubt, throw it out!

Review: Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter

Emma Stone wears Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait

Every girl should have at least two of these: one in a red shade and one in a pink shade!

These lip butters are the middle ground between lip balm and lipstick. They are surprisingly moisturising, just like a lip balm, but also provide a  lipstick-like coverage and colour. The only downside to these butters is that they do not have the lasting power of a lipstick.

These lip butters are perfect for everyday wear as they only need to be applied as often as any balm or gloss.

My go-to shade is Strawberry Shortcake which will give you an everyday pink colour. It is quite a bright pink so it may not be for everybody but it will certainly brighten up your winter look and is on trend with the bright pastel-like colours that are in fashion.

A lovely red shade, for everyday wear, is Candy Apple which will give you a bright red colour. I would recommend this shade for anyone who might be hesitant to try red lipstick as it gives you the same colour but leaves room for the easy removal of application mishaps.

Some of the shades contain a small amount of glitter which is great if your looking to glam up your lip colour. A great example of such a shade is Peach Parfait which will give you an orangey-pink shimmery colour. For a preview of this shade take a look at it on the gorgeous Emma Stone who wears it in the advertisements for the product.

Shades Available in Australia: Creme Brulee, Peach Parfait, Candy Apple, Creamsicle, Cotton Candy, Pink Truff, Berry Smoothie, Strawberry Shortcake, Brown Sugar, Sugar Plum, Cherry Tart, Fig Jam, Sweet Tart, Tutti Frutti, Lollipop, Sugar Frosting, Raspberry Pie, Cupcake, Gumdrop, Red Velvet.

Purchase Tip: These butters are more expensive than your everyday lip balm so I would suggest you buy them when there is a ‘buy one get the second half price’ sale on at Priceline or somewhere similar.

Cost: $21.95 AUD ea

Rating: 4.5/5

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