Do you still have the eyeliner you were wearing the day your husband proposed to you? Still hanging on to that tube of lipstick Aunt Fern gave you when you were six? Oh no, honey! Some don't know that cosmetics DO have an expiration date, and they expire quicker than you'd think. WHEN IT DOUBT, THROW IT OUT. If, before it's expiration date, any of your makeup changes drastically from it's natural shade, developed a rancid smell, or changes consistency in a major way, throw it out! NO makeup item (cheap, or expensive) is worth risking health issues. Check out the list below as a reference to when to toss your products and re-purchase.
Mascara: 3 months, TOPS. You can keep your mascara from during before it's expiration date by NOT pumping your mascara wand in and out of the tube. This exposes your product to outside air, which in turn kills it faster.
Eyeliner: A pencil liner, when sharpened regularly, can last you up to three years. You should toss your liquid and cream eyeliners after just 3 months.
Eyeshadow: We can salvage our powder shadows for three years! Our cream shadows should meet their (trash can) demise 3 months after purchase.
Foundation: You'll be glad to know an oil based foundation can keep for 18 months. A water based needs to be trashed after 12 months, though.
Powder: Pan, and lose powder will stay good up to 2 years.
Blush & Bronzer: Powder cheek products can last 2 years. Creams should be thrown out in 18 months.
Concealer: Keep concealer for up to a year. Ask for one every birthday, and you should have no problem re-stocking your fave!
Lipstick: Keep those sexy reds, and friendly nudes, for 2 years.
Lipgloss: 18-24 months. Keep an eye out for the above-mentioned signs to make sure you aren't using a rancid gloss.
Lipliner: 3 years!
Nail polish: 11 or 12 months. An expired nail polish is very easy to spot, so just check your older polishes regularly.
I've found a few sure fire ways to make SURE your makeup is in the trash by it's expiration date. One, you can place a sticker, with the date you purchased the product, somewhere on the container -- along with that, add how long the specific item is supposed to be kept. Two, you can simply write "Throw away: DATE HERE" in the same manner.
Hope this helped any questions you may have had about expiration and use-by dates in regards to makeup. Any questions? Have anything to add? Just drop me a comment. :)
