What's Growing in your Makeup

We are known for saving our beauty products for so long because it's our favorite product or maybe they discontinued it.  Or maybe we're just to lazy to buy another product.  Or we only wear this for special times like going on a date or for a wedding or something.

Rule of thumb--Most solid products last longer than liquid products.  What I mean by that is your eyebrow pencil over your liquid eyeliner will last longer giving you more time between replacements.

To give you a sense of what to keep and what to toss, I have created a small list of the main beauty products the everyday woman has in their collection.

Another rule of thumb--Bathrooms hold heat and moisture which in turn can get in your makeup causing unwanted bacteria.

Here is the List:

1. Mascara.  Most mascaras will not have an expiration date.  So when you purchase one use a marker and write the date on the tube and place tape on it so it will not disappear.  After about 3 months, mascara tends to dry out and become clumpy.  Even if it doesn't 3 months is long enough.  You do not want an eye infection.
2. Liquid Eye Liner.  Two months.  Solid eyeliners last longer (about a year).
3. Nail Polish.  Most nail polishes will keep color for a year before drying or fading starts to occur.
4. Eyeshadow.  This is one product women will keep for 100 years if they could.  However, I know I will break some hearts but 1 year is long enough.  The reason I say this is because the eye area is so sensitive and with the weather more humid and allergies like never before, we tend to rub our eyes a lot.  If you have creamy eyeshadows, toss after 9 months. 
5. Powder, Foundation, or Blush.  2 years.  Keep an eye out for texture and cacky feeling.  Liquid Foundation (6 months).
6. Lipstick.  12-18 months.  Pay attention to color and texture as well.  After they are not as creamy or the color changes it's time to toss.
7. Sunscreen.  Usually has an expiration date.  Some dermatologist suggest you can use up to a year or 2 after the expiration date.  The date reflects the length of time the manufacturer tested the product but actually for weeks, months, or even years after the expiration date, you can still use that sunscreen and it will work just as good as when you first purchased.  
8. Face Cream.  Creams with a pump limit the amount of bacteria.  You can keep face creams up to a year.  If it is a pump, 6 months is fine.  The same time applies to serums as well.