Most of us have at least one makeup product that has been sitting in a drawer for much longer than we would like to admit. Unfortunately, cosmetics do not last forever. Once opened, exposure to air, moisture, fingers and applicators can affect a product’s texture, performance and cleanliness.
Expired makeup may dry out, separate, change color or develop an unusual smell. Products used around the eyes deserve particular attention because they come into contact with a sensitive area.
Here is a practical guide to cleaning out your makeup bag, along with some of Beauty Plus Salon’s best-selling cosmetic products.
Check the PAO Symbol First
Before following a general timeline, look for the small open-jar symbol printed on the packaging. This is the Period After Opening, or PAO, symbol.
A jar marked “6M,” for example, indicates that the product should generally be used within six months of opening. The manufacturer’s instructions should always take priority over a general makeup-expiration guide.
Write the date you opened a product on its packaging or add a reminder to your phone. This is especially useful for products that look nearly identical from one purchase to the next.
Liquid Eyeliner: About Three to Six Months
Liquid eyeliner has a relatively short life because its applicator repeatedly travels between the eye area and the container. Replace it promptly if the formula becomes dry, streaky, clumpy or develops an unusual smell.
The Nicka K Artliner Eyeliner Pen features a precise brush tip for creating thin lines or more dramatic definition. Keep the cap closed securely after every application to prevent the pen from drying out prematurely.
Never add water, makeup remover or another liquid to revive dried eyeliner. Introducing moisture can affect the formula and contaminate the product.
Gel and Pencil Eyeliner: About 12 to 24 Months
Traditional eyeliner pencils generally last longer than liquid formulas, especially when they can be sharpened. Retractable gel pencils should still be monitored carefully because the product is repeatedly applied near the eyes.
Nicka K 24hr Waterproof Eyeliner offers smooth, waterproof color for creating everyday or dramatic eye looks. Keep the cap tightly closed and avoid sharing the pencil with anyone else.
For a sharpenable pencil, removing the outer layer with a clean sharpener can help maintain a fresh application surface. Replace any eyeliner immediately following an eye infection rather than waiting for its normal expiration window.
Lip Gloss and Lip Gel: About Six to 12 Months
Lip glosses and gels are repeatedly exposed to the lips through their applicators. Over time, the formula may become thicker, stringier or less comfortable to wear.
Nicka K Lip Gel Watermelon Lip Therapy Tube is a Beauty Plus Salon best seller that provides a glossy lip-care option in an easy-to-use squeeze tube.
Replace lip products when the scent, taste, texture or color changes. If you apply a gloss while you have a cold sore or another lip infection, it is safest to replace the product afterward.
Lipstick: About 12 to 24 Months
Traditional bullet lipstick generally lasts longer than gloss because it contains less water and does not have a wand that returns to the container.
Even so, lipstick should be discarded if it develops an unpleasant smell, becomes unusually dry or changes texture. Avoid keeping a discontinued shade indefinitely simply because it is difficult to replace. Buying several backups only helps if you can use them before their quality begins to decline.
Store lipstick away from direct sunlight, hot cars and humid bathrooms. Excessive heat can soften the formula and shorten its useful life.
Mascara: About Three Months
Mascara should be replaced more frequently than most makeup. Its wand collects material from the lashes and returns to a dark, enclosed tube, creating an environment where contamination can develop.
Do not pump the mascara wand in and out of the container, since this pushes extra air into the tube and may cause the formula to dry faster. Never add water to thin old mascara, and avoid sharing it with anyone else.
If mascara begins flaking excessively, smells unusual or causes irritation, replace it immediately—even if it has not reached three months.
Lash Serums: Follow the Package Directions
Eye-area treatments should be handled with the same care as mascara and liquid liner. GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum is another product featured among Beauty Plus Salon’s top-selling cosmetics.
A lash serum’s usage period can depend on its size and the manufacturer’s directions. Keep track of when you opened it, apply it only with clean hands and never share the applicator. Stop using any eye product that causes unexpected redness, swelling or irritation.
Foundation and Concealer: About Six to 12 Months
Liquid and cream complexion products typically last between six months and one year after opening. Pump bottles limit direct contact with the formula and may remain fresher than open jars or products with doe-foot applicators.
Watch for separation that does not disappear after shaking, changes in color, an unusual smell or a texture that no longer blends smoothly. Keep your fingers out of jars whenever possible and use a clean spatula or applicator instead.
Powder Makeup: About 12 to 24 Months
Pressed powder, blush, bronzer and powder eyeshadow generally last longer than liquid and cream formulas. However, brushes transfer oil, skin cells and other products onto their surfaces.
Replace powders if they develop an unusual smell, visible discoloration or a hardened surface that repeatedly prevents product pickup. Avoid using powder products with wet or dirty brushes unless the formula is specifically designed for that technique.
Makeup Brushes and Sponges
Makeup brushes do not have a universal expiration date. A quality brush can last for years when cleaned properly, but it should be replaced when the bristles begin shedding, fraying or losing their shape.
Wash frequently used complexion brushes at least once a week and eye brushes every one to two weeks. Allow them to dry flat so water does not collect inside the ferrule and loosen the adhesive.
Makeup sponges should be cleaned after each use and replaced more frequently than brushes. Toss a sponge if it remains stained, develops tears, changes texture or smells musty.
Signs Makeup Should Be Replaced Immediately
Do not wait for the suggested expiration date if you notice:
- A sour, rancid or otherwise unusual smell
- Separation that does not improve after shaking
- A noticeable color or texture change
- Mold or unexpected spots on the product
- Burning, itching, redness or irritation
- A damaged container that no longer closes properly
- A product used during an eye or lip infection
A makeup-bag cleanout does not need to be complicated. Check your products every few months, clean your tools regularly and keep track of when frequently used cosmetics were opened. When something looks, smells or feels different, replacing it is usually better than trying to make it last a little longer.
