Toss the Crusty Mascara, No Really!
/To everything there is a season, and so too it goes with makeup. We know these products aren’t cheap and the idea of purging any of it doesn’t feel good, but it might feel better than an eye infection from aged mascara or an acne breakout from dated foundation.
We’ve put together a guide to help you keep track of what products are worth holding onto, and when it’s time to [bedgrudingly] toss and replenish.
A general rule of thumb: If it comes in a pot or a tube, it’s going to have a shorter shelf-life than a pencil or powder. The former is a breeding ground for bacteria, and if you’re not always on top of cleaning your application brushes (cough, cough, what??), then you’re constantly “poisoning the well”.
Powders: 2 years
Mascara: 3-6 months. This is likely our most coveted product, but also the most likely to need replacing. If our eyes are windows to our soul, they’re also easy places to get contaminated.
Eyeliner: 6 months (liquid and gel) -1 year (pencils).
Primer and Foundation: 6 months - 2 years depending on the packaging, but again, pots will go to pot quickest.
Lipstick: Up to 2 years, but toss if the color, consistency or smell changes.