When to Toss Your Makeup | Makeup Expiration | Guidelines to Makeup Life Span

I am finicky when it comes to hygiene, makeup organisation and anybody touching my makeup for two reasons:  hygiene & longevity!

And to be honest I do not abide by the regular discarding rules that I often read on Pinterest or in magazines. I have been extra concerned with my makeup since I started stockpiling on requisite products.

I will lose my mind, If I am made to discard a high-end lipstick merely after few uses. I am not only sharing how to sanitize and when to discard makeup but also how you can get best out of the money you've invested. [Right, there I said it.:D]

But before everything else, I would like to mention that I never touch up makeup (ever) except for lip balm. And if I would, I'd keep a separate compact/lipstick in my bag that has to be sanitised every weekend. The nuisance I create definitely puts everyone off but who cares, I save some zits there, you see?

1] Store Your Makeup in Cool and Dry/Dark Place

Opaque Makeup Drawers are ideals for storage, since light exposure can alter the

texture/colour/consistency. When I say Cool place, I don't mean refrigerator. And away from humidity. Humidity is the real reason why fungus develops on oil-based makeup products. Avoid direct sunlight on your vanity, if you use clear or open storage make sure you keep them covered.

2] Shelf Life (SL) and Period After Opening (PAO) 

SL is often mentioned on the package in bold and is well-known. Some brands also display PAO on the bottom of the product. Indian brands or certain brands sold in India do not label PAO symbols, for instance, I have attached a picture of Maybelline Lip Polish with the missing PAO.

3] Sanitizing Makeup Every Month

I am a finicky and no amount of sanitising would ever convince me. But once in a month, I take out all my makeup to disinfect them, have a small talk over teatime and, of course, put them to sleep with a lullaby. =) Sometimes, I go overboard and disinfect the inner rims, outer package and clean all the fallouts and make them shiny new.

For instance, If I am running out of time, I would just sanitise the makeup I have used in past few weeks. I keep them rolling till I am bored.

4] Using Q-tips, Spatulas and Lipgloss Wands to Extend the Life of Your Makeup

When I got hold of my 10-15 liquid lipsticks, I made sure I refrain from using the wand directly on my lips. So, I got these disposable wands to apply the lipcreams and liquid lipsticks so that I get the liberty to stretch the PAO of my liquid lipsticks. Also I use Q-tips or spatulas to take out moisturisers, scrubs or anything with tub packaging. [ I saved all those Barbie pink spoons I got from Baskin-Robbins :D]

5] Do Not Keep Your Products Exposed For Too Long

Even if you have been taking all the measures of not letting any aliens in your makeup, if you are keeping them open and exposed for too long that could just impair the taken measures. At times (not always), I disinfect the pumps of foundations ( hello! you dirty MAC match master mouth! *. *) with a sanitising wipe to just get better sleep at night. *rolls eyes*

That is one of the things that drive me insane: dirty pumps without caps.

6] For Cream Products and Concealers with Wands 

I personally avoid buying cream based face products because they should be tossed within 12 months (if unmentioned on the package), making sure that you don't dip–undip unclean brushes doing rounds from your cheeks to pan. Concealers with wands are probably time-saving but the wand is unhygienic. It is better to discard such products after 6 months of PAO. And if you'd be covering zits or blemishes, it is always great to use a brush.

I think I have covered all my significant actions into a blogpost, but I still have a few things I'd like to mention—the products that I discard on time are mascara and eyeliner. Infested or spoiled mascara/eyeliner can lead to stye or infection. Rest all the liquid makeup product's usage can be stretched until the texture changes/oxidises/alters.

How to Sanitize Lipsticks:

Dip the bullet (only the bulbous part that comes in contact with the lips) into Dr Spirit and then wipe away on clean tissue.You can also sanitise your lip pencils.

How to Sanitize Compact Powders/Blushes:

Transfer rubbing alcohol/Dr Spirit into a spray bottle and spray some alcohol on the surface. Wait for the surface to dry and then brush off the upper layer with a clean brush.

Following these certainly does take a lot of effort and you don't have to the rigid follow rules, if you look after your makeup.