Spring Cleaning Your Makeup

We all know that makeup expires but many of us are guilty of using makeup that is past its expiration date. The question is do we need to throw out our favourite makeup when it reaches the expiration date? The answer is not as black and white as it may seem.

There are a few things to consider:

Is it opened or sealed?
How is it stored?
What is the makeup?

All expiration dates are guidelines once the product is opened. Makeup can last up to 3 years if it is stored unopened in a cool, dry environment. Despite the bad rap that preservatives sometimes get, they are crucial in makeup to prevent bacterial growth and preserve shelf life. The only makeup that doesn’t need some kind of preservative is pure mineral products like Rageism’s Mineral Powder Foundation and Highlighter Powder. These products are dry inert powders and therefore bacteria simply cannot grow. All other makeup products need preservatives so they can be used safely and last longer. How can you tell if your makeup should be tossed out? Ask yourself these questions before you use your older products:

How does it smell? If it smells strange or rancid – toss it.
Have the colours faded? If they have oxidised or faded – toss it.
Have powder products clumped together? Yes – toss it.
Have cream products separated or is there a change in texture? Yes – toss it.

Generally, we recommend that the shelf life of your opened products will look like this:

Mascara has the shortest shelf life of all makeup products. We recommend that you replace your mascara every 3-4 months. It can easily harbour bacteria and you don’t want nasty bacteria near your eyes!

Of course, good hygiene is the key to keeping your makeup fresh and bacteria-free for as long as possible. Always wash your hands before you apply your makeup and clean your brushes regularly. We recommend that you clean the brushes you use the most frequently, once a week. It’s always handy to have backups of your most favourite brushes so that you always have one to use when the other is “in the wash” so you aren’t tempted to put off washing it! Never mix your makeup products with water or saliva as it can cause bacterial transfer, and avoid sharing your makeup. Lastly, regularly spring clean your makeup supplies and throw out the old and expired products so that you always have the freshest products on hand.

Sending love to you all, and remember you’re beautiful at any age. xx

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