When Do You Throw Out Makeup

Dec 4, 2012

Melissa M.

I'm a collector but I don't get to use it as much as I'd like to what ways do you sanitize it and how long do you keep it for ?

Dec 4, 2012

Jenn S.

I am a collector too but I have my collecter and still use stuff seperate. For example I have really old Urban Decay palettes that I don't use (5yearsafter) in a spot where I won't accidentally use them. If you want to be super clean use products for a year and toss or put in a collection area. Exceptions to that rule are mascara and eye liner. Use 3-4 months max and set aside or toss unless pink eye or irritation are your thing. I have makeup palettes that are about 4 years old that look and smell fine because I use a sprayer with 70% alcohol after every use. Just remember liquids and creams can not be sanitized enough to make them ok to keep around longer than a year do to bacteria growth (think foundation, gloss, cream blushes, or anything else now powder form). Keep the bottle and toss the insides. And always clean your brushes, sponges, etc once a week to once every two weeks depending on the amount you use them. Spot clean with babywipes and that 70% spray.

Dec 4, 2012

Melissa M.

Thanks for the info :)

Dec 4, 2012

Neens C.

Absolutely throw out any mascara older than 6 months. Nasty bacteria can grow in the product, especially because it's porous and air is constantly introduced from taking out and putting back the wand. Avoid pumping your mascara if you can to reduce your chances!!! But pink eye and eye infections can result from old bacteria ridden mascara. Be careful with that!! Lipgloss and lipstick is generally 24 months. And if you have foundation that you use only part of the year (perhaps darker foundation in the summer) pop it in the fridge!! That will keep bacteria from growing in it so when summer rolls around the foundation won't make you break out. Hope this helps!! :)

Dec 4, 2012

Maxine B.

all cosmetics have a 'use by date' its a little picture of an opened tub/bottle with a time frame inside e.g 6m( six months) so thats how long the product will last after you open it. chemicals in products can go off and change after a certian amount of time and can cause reactions or infection if theyre out of date :) 

Dec 4, 2012

Meredith M.

Throw out mascara every 3 months and keep foundations until it starts separating. Keep eyeliner until it dries up or crumbles when you put it on. Everything else you just have to judge for yourself

Dec 5, 2012

Amanda W.

Maxine's right. The little picture of the jar with the opened lid on the label is what tells you how long a product is good for after it's been opened.

Dec 5, 2012

Stefy S.

I never throw anything away. I don't think powder eye shadow like ever goes bad if you're good to it. And I've never had to throw out mascara because I only keep one at a time and tend to use it up pretty quickly. I don't their away eyeliner either. I also use those up super fast as well.