Eyeshadow
Shadow is tricky because it is being used on an open part of the body -- the eye. If it is powder and you are using clean brushes to apply, then you are safe to hold on to them for up to a year. To keep brushes clean, wash about every week with a mild shampoo or cleanser or you can buy a professional blush cleaner. If you're using your finger to apply a cream eyeshadow, toss it after six months.
Bath oils and shower gels
These are usually formulated with "natural oils and other natural ingredients [which] are more prone to oxidation and hydrolysis, thereby shortening the shelf life of the product," says hair and scalp expert Philip B.
Sunscreen
The "active ingredients will remain effective for 12 months, if kept in a cool place," says Jennifer Taylor, creator of Smart Girls Who Surf. But, she warns "when you leave your tube of sunscreen on your towel, or in your car, it heats up [and] not only does it change the viscosity of the formula, but it affects the active ingredients (especially [the] chemicals) and may cause them to be less effective in preventing sun damage." Telltale signs that your SPF has expired: it's turned from white to yellow, it smells "medicine-like," or starts to come out runny, says Taylor.
Face makeup
Foundation and blush can typically last up to 12 months as long as you are using clean brushes and sponges to apply them, says Cromwell. Keep your fingers out of your makeup to keep bacteria at bay.
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 =)
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.
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!
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.
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Older comments
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 EricaC123 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