How Long Do Makeup Palettes Last

We know it's a tough call throwing away your favorite chroma or lipstick, but abiding by makeup expiration dates is actually incredibly important. Why? Cosmetics tin can trap bacteria, which means replacing them regularly is necessary to try to avert pare irritation, breakouts, eye infections, and styes. Not pretty, correct? According to makeup creative person Ashely Rebecca, "Peel irritations such as rashes, bumps, and burning sensations can occur when using expired products. If you use mascara or eyeliner that'south past its expiration date, you can experience swelling, itchiness, or redness. It's always best to meet a dermatologist immediately if you experience whatsoever kind of reaction." (And it's not only your makeup formulas—bank check out what happened when nosotros tested bacteria levels on makeup brushes).

But here's a caveat: Different the contents of your refrigerator, the use-past appointment on your makeup products relies on the first twenty-four hours you utilise them, not the purchase date. "If you're ever stuck wondering, all products have a small symbol that await like a jar with a number/letter of the alphabet on the inside, ex: 12M. This ways, usually, that a production has a 12-month shelf life upon opening," says celebrity makeup creative person Britty Whitfield. "For makeup, I ever follow what the time frame is in the symbol. The worst possible matter would be to apply an old, oxidized foundation."

So how do yous know when to toss that foundation or mascara? Separation or changes in texture forth with foul smells are dead giveaways the product has gone bad.

While it'south crucial to look out for those telltale signs, it's nevertheless helpful to get a general thought of how long each product is meant to concluding. Proceed reading to learn the makeup expiration dates for every kind of cosmetic, from chroma to eyeliner.

Elnora Turner / Byrdie

Face

Foundation

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation $44.00

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Shelf Life: Six months to one year

Maintenance Tips:Keep your foundation germ-free for longer by keeping your fingers away from the neck of the bottle. Instead, gently drip the formula onto the dorsum of your hand before you lot employ. If you lot notice your foundation starting to separate, it's definitely fourth dimension to toss it.

"Products, where you dip your finger to apply on the peel, are more susceptible to bacterial contagion," says Margarita Lolis, Medico, of Schweiger Dermatology Group. "Lotions with a pump are generally safer and less probable to be contaminated. Products with less preservatives, such as those fabricated for sensitive, have less preservatives and leaner are more than likely to grow."

Liquid Highlight

Benefit High Beam Liquid Highlighter $18.00

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Shelf Life: Half-dozen months to one twelvemonth

Maintenance Tips:While not every bit long-lasting as their pulverisation counterparts, the liquid highlighter tin can last upwardly to one year. Store in a cool, dry identify and opt for a disposable applicator when applicable to maximize its shelf life.

Concealer

Tarte Cosmetics Shape Tape Concealer $29.00

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Shelf Life: Six months to ane year

Maintenance Tips: Like to foundation, concealer can terminal up to a yr. Keep the production out of directly sunlight, avoid touching the awarding with your fingers, and when you notice separation, it's fourth dimension to toss.

Blush and Pulverization

MAC Cosmetics Powder Blush $25.00

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Shelf Life: Ii years

Maintenance Tips: The longest-lasting color cosmetics you lot'll e'er buy, powder-formula blushes terminal around ii full years. "Ideally, from personal experience, powders tin can be extended for longer periods of fourth dimension if you're actively and regularly cleaning your brushes. Otherwise, you're putting old makeup, germs, and skin cells into that pulverization product every time when your tools are dirty," says Whitfield. Always, ever keep your brushes clean!

Foam Blush and Multiple Sticks

Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Lotion $26.00

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Shelf Life: 12 to 18 months

Maintenance Tips:Toss foam chroma and "multiple" sticks (every bit in, products you can utilize on your cheeks and lips) if yous discover a alter in texture.

E'er apply make clean hands when applying whatever production to help go on the tubes and pots sanitary.

Lips

Lipstick, Liner, and Gloss

Nars Lipstick $26.00

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Shelf Life: One year

Maintenance Tips: It'southward time to toss your favorite lip products when yous notice a alter in their texture—whether that means they dry out or they get goopy. Make your favorite red terminal longer by keeping it in a absurd, dry place (non in your hot car).

Eyes

Forehead Pencil and Kohl Eyeliner

Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl Smoky Eyeliner $26.00

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Shelf Life: One twelvemonth

Maintenance Tips: Pencils can last longer than most eye products since they're constantly being sharpened. Continue your liners away from your steamy bathroom to extend their life.

Mascara

Maybelline Volum' Express the Falsies Mascara $eight.00

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Shelf Life:Three months

Maintenance Tips:Replacing your mascara regularly is crucial for avoiding middle infections. Switch out every 3 months (or sooner if you find the formula getting clumpy or starting to smell funny, signaling it's gone bad). And, of grade, don't ever share mascara, as it can cause cross-contamination.

Liquid Eyeliner

Eyeko Line and Define Skinny Liquid Eyeliner $17.00

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Shelf Life:3 to four months

Maintenance Tips: Just similar mascara, don't share your liquid eyeliner—germs are your biggest enemy with this type of beauty product.

The more than moisture the production has—or the closer it comes to your eyes—the shorter its life bridge.

Eye Shadow

Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyeshadow Unmarried $12.00

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Shelf Life: Three to six months

Maintenance Tips: While pulverization shadows can final as long as pulverization blushes (virtually ii years), they should be replaced more than often since they're used around your eyes.

Gel Eyeliner

Stila Cosmetics Smudge Pot $20.00

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Shelf Life: Two months

Maintenance Tips:Unfortunately, a pot of gel eyeliner should only be used for a few months since it easily traps bacteria.

Fragrance

Chanel No. v Eau de Parfum $108.00

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Shelf Life: Three to 5 years

Maintenance Tips: Fragrance is the longest-lasting product in your dazzler routine—by far! Max out your perfume's shelf life past keeping your scents out of direct sunlight. (Some brands, similar Le Labo, even suggest storing them in the fridge).

Smash Polish

JINsoon Nail Lacquer $18.00

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Shelf Life: One to two years

Maintenance Tips:Heat and straight sunlight volition make your polish split and become discolored faster, so store your lacquers upright in a cool, dry out place. There are also tricks to help you lot extend the life of smooth that has gone goopy.