When to say adios – or not – to old make-up

I don’t know about you, but there are days when I like to go make-up free.  I don’t even put any creams on!  Why?  Because I want my skin to breathe.  The same goes for my nails; when I take the old nail polish off, I wait a day or two before putting other nail polish on.  Our skin, including our nails and hair, breathe.  There are very small pores that regulates temperature, sweat and so on.  It is important to give our whole skin (yes, our faces and nails too), a time to just breathe; without anything clogging the pores.

Nevertheless, I am sure 99.9% of my ladies’ readers love cosmetics.  In a recent magazine article, it was noted that cosmetics have expiry dates.  I am no expert, but I assume that it depends on what is in the brand, that will determine how long you can use it.  Nonetheless, it was still an interesting article, as it gives you an idea (more or less) of how long it is ok to use your cosmetics.  Here are a few of these tips.

Lipsticks should only be kept for between 12 – 18 months.  If you store it in your fridge then, according to those who tried it, it will last longer.  In warm environments it can separate and/or become a home for bacteria.  Foundations, concealers, cream blushers and contouring sticks are also fine to use between 12 – 18 months.  If it is an oil-based product, you will often find the oil rising to the top as it gets old.  This too, can be affected by heat and cold.

Eye products are said to last between 3 – 12 months, depending on whether or not it is powder- or cream based (eye shadows) and liquid or gel eyeliners.  Mascara is a tricky one, as it can become dry.  Face and body moisturisers, sunscreen and nail polish last between 1 – 2 years; again, it depends on ingredients and, in the case of nail polish, can become thick.  Fragrance usually lasts between 3 – 5 years, depending on the composition of the fragrance.  For fragrances to last longer, make sure to keep it in a cool place, away from light.  If you only have a few drops left, add it to your body lotion or hand cream; instead of throwing it away.

My dear readers, by now you most probably are worried about those products, that you have for longer than mentioned above!  Before you throw everything away, look at it first and/or try a little bit on a small area on your skin.  If the mascara has gone completely dry, then you can either throw it away, or keep the brush and use it to comb your eyebrows (of course you have to clean it first).  What about the other things, like blusher or eye shadow?  Instead of throwing that in the dustbin, you can crush it into a fine powder, add some clear nail varnish and voilà!  Some new, interesting nail colours!

Some left-over shampoo?  Use it to rinse out your underwear or wash your hands!  Toner past its date?  Use it to clean your mirrors and mirror compacts!  Lipsticks gone dry?  Why not melt it in the microwave (carefully) and then add some Vaseline.  The result?  Tinted lip balm!  No idea what to do with your old eye- and/or lipliners?  Use it as a crayon; to sketch or draw! 

Whatever you decide to do or not do, with your old cosmetics, make sure to not use it when it is irritating your skin or eyes.  When in doubt, throw it out!  Otherwise, recycle and reuse it in a new, different way.