The other day I found a lipstick in my makeup drawer. From high school. It was Mary Kay and an amazing frosty pink, which I LOVED…but um GROSS THAT I STILL OWN THIS LIPSTICK. This got me to thinking about exactly how long you’re really supposed to keep your makeup; I mean, I get it – sometimes we get attached to certain beauty products, when they are fantastic, but it’s actually pretty important to make sure that you don’t use these products for too long because they build up bacteria and you can actually really get sick (e.g. eye infections!). Here’s the general rule of thumb:
- Foundation: 6 months (or if you can literally see it being weird, then a new bottle even sooner)
- Powder: 2 years, as long as you clean your brushes! (see below)
- Makeup brushes: once a month (use a baby shampoo or mild bar soap)
- Eyeliner: I’ve read a few different opinions on this. Some say 3 months but others say you can use it down to the nub as long as you sharpen it with every use, which cleans it and keeps it fresh
- Lipstick: 2 years (yes, I’m totally guilty at a good TEN years! Yuck!) It’s also recommended that you cut off the edge with a razor blade to keep it fresh
- Mascara: 3 months or after ANY eye infection
