A guide to: Makeup expiration

You didn't know that makeup expires? Don't worry, I know you are not the only one! Too many people are not aware of the consequences of using an expired product on their face or their body. In fact you might have already faced some of them without even noticing this was the cause. Using expired makeup can cause a bunch of skin issues from clogged pores and cystic acne to problems such as serious eye infections. So here is a little guide on makeup expiration for you!

How do I know if my makeup is expired?

1. The colour.

Some products such as foundation, gloss and lipstick slightly change colour when they expire. You should be able to see a tone of orange or yellow in your makeup. I recently had to throw away one of my favourite lip gloss as it sadly expired. When I was going through my makeup collection I noticed that the colour slightly changed into a more orange colour plus there was some kind of tiny bubble inside as you can see in the picture bellow.

Expired lip gloss: slightly orange colour + tiny bubbles  

2. The smell.

If your lip gloss smells like a rotten egg don't ask yourself to many questions; throw it away! The smell of your makeup can change when it expires specially for liquid products. If you find the smell of the makeup you are about to use different to what it use to be before; simply stop using it might be expired already.

3. The texture.

In the same way as the colour and the smell, if you find the texture of your product particularly strange, there is a high chance that it expired.

4. The Label.

Almost all brands indicate the lifespan of the product on their packaging. As you can see in the picture bellow it is represented by a number followed by the letter M (for months) in a small pot. This number is the number of months you can use the product for before it expires. Of course you only start counting when you first open the product as before the first opening any air or bacterias can get into the product.

Maybelline BB cream
I will be able to use the product without any problems during 12 months after 1st opening

Can I still use my makeup even if the date is over?

Well this is totally up to you! I won't recommend using any liquid or creamy product such as mascara, liquid foundation, cream blush, lip gloss etc.. after the time indicated on the product. However if you want to it is at your own risk, but don't forget that it can be very painful and annoying if you get infected! For powder products in the other hand, if you feel like you've been using it without any problem and you haven't notice any difference since you first start using it, it is again at your own risk but it is less likely that you get any kind of issues with them.

I can't find the label on my makeup, how do I know how long does it last?

Well almost all brand will put the label on the product packaging, however I have noticed with M.A.C for example the label is only on the original box and not on the product itself. All product have more or less the same lifespan according to the makeup category, but keep in mind that expiration varies according on the way you use and store your products.

What makeup product should I beware the most of?

Mascara is the product that attracts the more bacterias so it is therefore the makeup product that last the less but it's also the product that causes one of the most painful problems you can have by using expired products. Here is a little guide of makeup products lifespan. Remember: all brand is different this is only an average, some brands last twice longer than others. The lifespan also depends on the way you use and store your makeup!

BB/CC/DD cream: 12months

Foundation: 12months

Concealer: 8-12months

Powder blush: 18-24 months (most of my blush last for 36months!)

Cream blush: 12months

Eyeshadow: 18-24months (some of my eye shadows actually last 36months!)

Mascara: 3-6 months

Liquid liner: 6-12months

Eye pencil: 12months

Lip gloss: 12months

Lipstick and lip pencil: 12-24months

Perfume: up to 10 years

Nail polish: 12-36months

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Lot's of Love,

Anissa.