This is tremendous information! Keeping nail polish in the fridge also helps it apply more easily.

by GigiSD Monday, April 29, 2013 at 11:41AM Report as inappropriate

Great information

by EricaF123 Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 08:33AM Report as inappropriate

What if I use makeup cleanser like beautysoclean weekly, will they last longer?

by miyuki_takahashi Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 05:56PM Report as inappropriate

This is really nice, very helpful, I googled similar information not too long ago, but right now I have all the answers I need right in front of me in the same place. Thank you, very helpful, time to dispose of some things =)

by Natalia379 Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 01:39PM Report as inappropriate

This is a nice guide! I'll be cleaning out my makeup stash now!

by StanziMozart Friday, April 13, 2012 at 05:07PM Report as inappropriate

I love these tips...I will definitely take this all in and apply them too. Meaning that I will be making some changes and so better at keeping my products safer to use.

by jbynum Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 10:01PM Report as inappropriate

good to know you can extend the life of some products! i definitely need to follow the other tips to minimize contamination...

by jenstar313 Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 02:58PM Report as inappropriate

I like these tips! They're a nice, general guide as to what to toss when, however I am a little baffled that TB wouldn't include tips on how long to keep products that aren't opened- such as, if I never open a single eye shadow how long can I hold onto it before it will lose it's life? Same with lipstick, body lotion, perfume, etc...bearing in mind the products are stored properly to ensure the longest possible product life, how long can you keep unopened/unexposed products? :) Other than that, I like this guide!

by KathrynMarie Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 02:42PM Report as inappropriate

I knew about and utilize a lot of these tips but I had no idea nail polish should be thrown out so soon!

by powerwoman033 Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 11:12PM Report as inappropriate

Makes me grateful that my foundation comes with a pump head. I'm still keeping things longer than advised. This stuff is too expensive for these time frames.

by krycekov Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 06:13AM Report as inappropriate

Very helpful guide. Thanks.

by skinpro Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 02:43PM Report as inappropriate

Very detail article. thanks :)

by Sprinklesugars Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 06:16AM Report as inappropriate

The how to make them last longer tips were really helpful. It seems like I've been doing it all wrong for awhile.

by sportimonki13 Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 04:59PM Report as inappropriate

I've seen lotion go bad... it's unfixable.

by Bon_Bon Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 10:40PM Report as inappropriate

Wow this just proves that my mother knows nothing, and I'm doing it right :)

by Flicky_95 Monday, August 15, 2011 at 01:41AM Report as inappropriate

I do this myself. I thought I was weird for organizing my makeup but it really does help. Especially when on the go:)

by iluvmybee Friday, August 12, 2011 at 08:56PM Report as inappropriate

These are very useful tips!!

by zelda_nneka_abadom Friday, July 22, 2011 at 09:58AM Report as inappropriate

To store brushes I purchased a small vase for a dollar and colored rocks to match my room to keep them safe and in style :)

by Lacindap15 Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 04:00PM Report as inappropriate

This information makes it so easy to follow. Nice, thanks!

by MissPurple Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 12:17PM Report as inappropriate

good thing to remember.

by vanillasummer Monday, July 4, 2011 at 10:13AM Report as inappropriate

My god, I didn't even imagine a lot of products actually expired. It had only come to my attention after a sunscreen I've been stashing for about 4 years turned into a greasy, yellow mess. It's kind of difficult to throw away all the things that begin to expire, but I will begin to do so if that helps me get better skin and hair!

by EnkaOwakura Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 01:34AM Report as inappropriate

I'm always kind of hesitant to throw out my beauty products, since I keep meaning to replace them and I keep forgetting to. My makeup certainly doesn't seem expired, anyways.

by liliofthevalley Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 06:50PM Report as inappropriate

Good thing I read this - I've had this one eye shadow palette for over a year now!

by katiespeaking Friday, June 3, 2011 at 06:13PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for the schedule for different products. It makes sense.

by alictasia Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 07:37PM Report as inappropriate

Good to know, thanks for the tips

by Madrigaliv81 Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:44PM Report as inappropriate

yeah...its sure hard to tell

by judyangel101 Sunday, May 8, 2011 at 01:53PM Report as inappropriate

The question I have, especially for eyeliner and mascara, is: "How can I tell how long it's been sitting on the store shelf?" If bacteria's that big of an issue the should have easily visible expiration dates.

by krycekov Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 12:28PM Report as inappropriate

Throw drugstore makeup sponges away after one application? Ridiculous. No, they probably won't hold up well after being washed, but there's no reason to throw them away after a single use. Maybe after a week or two. I definitely throw away mascara every three months, or more often if the consistency changes, but other products do not need to be thrown away as often as they claim (especially powder products).

by LipglossandSpandex Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 10:47PM Report as inappropriate

Thank you for the tips!

by PorcelainHeart Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 08:18PM Report as inappropriate

If you paid $24 in a 'Dream' once in a lifetime purchase mascara and use it some 4 times a month like me, no way in heck i will throw within 3 months nor actually does any of my friends...maybe lower class mentality to which i belong very proudly, but i like to get the bang for my buck

by debjosh Monday, April 11, 2011 at 05:16AM Report as inappropriate

helped a lot OMG.

by yckitsmary Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 04:30PM Report as inappropriate

I agree with Mitsy. I think it's just another way for manufacturer's to get women to spend MORE money on their products. I throw things out if they smell funny or lose the consistency they had when first purchased. And I definitely don't agree with the nail polish thing. I've had some of my nail polishes for 2 years and they're still just as good as when I first bought them. I guess it depends on where you store them (and I never heard of putting them in the refrigerator to extend their shelf-life). I keep mine in the drawer of my nightstand and it seems to be working. And another thing, who's shampoo sits around for more than six months? Usually a bottle of shampoo lasts me 2 months and I don't even wash my hair daily. If you've had the same shampoo for 6 months you clearly aren't washing your hair too often! The best way to ensure your shampoo doesn't "go bad" is to buy 1 shampoo bottle and use it up. Next time you buy shampoo buy a different brand then the first one. It's not good for your hair to always use the same shampoo. You shouldn't have 20 different shampoo bottles in your bathroom. It's a waste of space and more importantly MONEY!

by lisa2683 Monday, April 4, 2011 at 11:53PM Report as inappropriate

eh this kind of helped...

by doana_marcellus Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 09:24AM Report as inappropriate

I keep everything I don't use regularly in the refrigerator and most stuff lasts for years. We do use a cream or some such for something specific. As for eye shadow, I hardly use it since I now use a lighter shade of foundation as eye shadow and don't use a color.

by MaraWayne Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 04:04PM Report as inappropriate

I'll also disagree with the nail polish and shampoo rule. Nail polish can last a very long time (I'm still using some I've had for several years) and shampoo can be mixed w/water to make it go farther. I do that esp. when the bottle is almost empty. I've never had a bottle of shampoo go bad.

by Mitsy Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 12:08PM Report as inappropriate

I sold Avon for a number of years & I've owned 100's of beauty products (makeup as well as cologne). I can tell you for sure that not all makeup goes bad as quickly as the manufacturers would like you to believe. I've never even followed the rule about keeping mascara only 3 months or whatever the time allowed is. I use it until it dries up or runs out. If something smells funky & you know it's old, sure get rid of it, but otherwise, manufacturers have just figured out a way to get you to spend more $. Don't buy into that. I've personally decided to not buy anymore beauty products until I've used up some that I have now. That's the best advice I could give anyone on beauty products. Use it up and it won't be wasted or spoil in the process.

by Mitsy Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 12:00PM Report as inappropriate

This was really helpful, also good to have a "legit" reason to buy new goodies!

by Janaer Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 11:33AM Report as inappropriate

This was so helpful! It's true too, as I look at my products and can tell what needs to go.

by falconlight08 Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 11:27AM Report as inappropriate

I didn't know most of this, I am glad I read it and will keep track of my makeup in the future.

by liliofthevalley Monday, March 28, 2011 at 06:23PM Report as inappropriate

Good for a guideline but I can't see it being "set in stone". Smell and texture are always the first indicators for me.

by keatonkat Monday, March 28, 2011 at 11:12AM Report as inappropriate

Good read!

by volta Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 12:28AM Report as inappropriate

i though it was very informative

by judyangel101 Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 07:17AM Report as inappropriate

This was very helpful! Thanks

by Shee Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 12:23AM Report as inappropriate

Great information, I thought it was better to buy in bulk but I guess not if it sits around and goes bad...

by RoleModel Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 11:01PM Report as inappropriate

Very helpful!

by MidnightCowgirl Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 05:18PM Report as inappropriate

I didn't realize my beauty products expired. I'm going to have to be more diligent about keeping tract of this. Thanks for the helpful info.

by muellsrus Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 05:15PM Report as inappropriate

i never knew how short a lifespan mascara had. and il be sure to keep my sunscreen off my towel since thars where i normally have it at the beach.

by KelseaT Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 04:38PM Report as inappropriate

Decent tips but 1 I've had Sally Hansen polishes last for 3 years with minimal clumping and who freezes nail polish? That'll just break the glass and you'll have polish all over your freezer.

by CliniqueLover Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 02:15PM Report as inappropriate

I don't know if I belive all of these. Throwing away nail polish after 6 months? OPI polish says 24 months on the container.

by Mysterylady Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 08:56AM Report as inappropriate