It’s important to revamp your wardrobe time and again. And when we say wardrobe, it also includes stuff like makeup. Makeup products always smell good, so it’s really difficult to figure out whether they are right for you at any given point of time.
It’s not just home stuff like food which has a shelf life. Similarly, your beauty products expire faster than you think. Just because they look good and all new, doesn’t mean you can use them for a very long time. Add to that, culprits like humidity and moisture in your shelves and it’s bound to expire a lot sooner. Here’s a guide on how long each makeup product lasts. And if it’s time to toss your makeup, we have a list of popular replacements as well.
List of Makeup Expiration Dates
1. Lipstick/Lipgloss – 2 years/1 year
Lipsticks are long lasting, much better than other products. A well-stored lipstick will last for up to two years. But lip gloss lasts only for half the time, that is – about a year. And due to the liquid content, there’s more chance of bacteria developing after that.
And don’t forget to give lipsticks/lipgloss a miss if you are sick else you will leave germs behind.
Maybelline Superstay Lipstick
The best lipstick in vogue right now is the Maybelline Superstay Lipstick which has a matte finish and is extremely popular on the runway in many fashion shows. Nykaa is offering it at a discount of 20%. You might want to check out more discounted makeup products at the Nykaa stores as the Holi Sale is going on.
2. Eyeliner – 6 months to 1 year
Liquid eyeliner means constanly dipping a brush into the bottle, which is why it is more vulenerable to bacteria. Since eye health is very important, a well maintained liquid eyeliner cannot be utilized for more than 6 months.
Lakme Absolute Liquid Eyeliner
Eyeliner pencils last a little longer at one year since you constantly sharpen it, doing away with bacteria. Try the Lakme Absolute Liquid Eyeliner which has a quick dry formula and defines eye contours beautifully. It’s priced at Rs.333 at Nykaa.
3.Blush, Eye Shadow and other powders – 2 years
Powders are resilient and when well maintained, will last you up to 2 years. If you notice change in colour or smell before that, just toss it away.
The L’oreal Nude Pallete
The L’oreal Nude Pallete( Rs. 1,399 on Koovs) of eyeshadows is definitely a must-have for working women and will help you look fresh faced.
4. Foundation – 6 month to 1 year
Foundations are water based and will not last too long. They are a healthy breeding ground for bacteria and should be maintained with care. Since you might use it on a daily basis, hopefully, they should be used up by one year as they are expensive to go by.
Lakme 9 To 5 Weightless Mousse Foundation Beige Vanilla
Try the Lakme 9 To 5 Weightless Mousse Foundation Beige Vanilla(Rs.431, Purplle) if you are out for longer hours.
5. Mascara – 3 months
This has the shortest shelf life of all your makeup products. Because you use the tube every single time, it gets infected with germs easily. Toss away yours when it is three months old. Even if you don’t, it starts getting clumpy so you wouldn’t want your eyelashes looking messy.
Maybelline Volum’ Express Mascara(Rs.400 at Nykaa) is a bestseller and we recommend you to try it out.
6. Nail Polish – no fixed upper limit
Bacteria don’t grow inside the harsh chemicals of your nail enamel, hence, it is safe to use for a long time. Storing in the refrigerator prevents it from getting thick. Our recommendation is that you use it up within a year for best results.
Go for the Lotus Herbals Natural Shades if you want to try something different. (Rs.120) and you can order from their website.
This chart is a keeper and helps you remember and on when you can toss away old makeup.
