Ever wondered about the shelf life of your lipsticks? How about the shelf-life of the rest of your make up? Do you hang onto things in the hope they last longer? Can you tell when makeup is bad? Do you spit on your mascara wand to make it last longer? Believe it or not, make-up does have a point at which you need to get rid of it if you haven’t used it all by now.

Despite the clever new preservatives and stabilisers that are used in make-up today, makeup has a shelf life just like the food in your fridge, cupboards and pantry.

Most of us aren’t aware that we can be giving ourselves food poisoning with our lipsticks, because we just never think about our makeup as being anything but longlasting. After all, our mother’s never threw out a perfectly good lipstick, blush, foundation or eye shadow.

The difference is that our mothers never owned anywhere near as much makeup as we do today. In fact, our mothers probably used up all their makeup well before any expiry date because they had the essentials of what they needed and that was it.

Today, we can afford to buy the latest seasons makeup colours as often as new ones are released and that’s pretty darn regularly. Whether you’re a fashionista or not, chances are that you have drawers, cupboards or shelves filled with makeup items that you’ve had for quite a while.

Not only is it a good time to get rid of any makeup that is rancid (yes, it smells), but it’s probably also a good idea to throw out a few of those dated items that your newer mature skin can sadly never wear again.

Just like your clothing wardrobe needs to be cleared out every now and again, so does your makeup collection.

The great thing about clearing out old makeup is that you get the chance to really think about what you need to be keeping and what has long ago served its purpose and can now be binned.

So … before you feel tempted to keep some items that haven’t even been opened or used or worse, give them to a friend, niece or daughter. But I want you to think about the consequences of anyone receiving makeup that’s gone bad.

Concealer

Cream and liquid concealer can be used for up to 12 months. With powder concealer, you get 2 years. Unless your skin is perfect. concealer is a makeup item we should all have.

You can’t go past YSL Touche Eclat ConcealerRadiant Touch, 

Foundation

A water-based foundation will last 12 months while an oil-based foundation will be good for 18 months.

A handy tip is if your water-based foundation dries out before its expiration date, add a few drops of alcohol-free toner. You won’t be able to do this for oil-based foundations. If your skin is less than perfect, a good foundation is top of your makeup list.

This one is brilliant … great cover, great colours and a great price. Candid from Revlon.Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Foundation I recommend it to everyone …

Eye shadow

Cream or powder … whichever works best for you with or without sparkle … will last up to 3 years. Whatever you choose, use warm colours. This NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Warm Neutrals palette is excellent. Is your makeup complete with or without eye shadow?

Eyeliner

A pencil eyeliner will last you up to 3 years. They last longer because you’re supposed to sharpen them before every use – sharpening removes the air-exposed portion to reveal fresh pencil. This Benefit Cosmetics Roller Liner is very gentle and does a good job. I consider eyeliner an essential makeup item in order to even walk out of the door.

Mascara

Mascara is the makeup item that expires the quickest. Throw out your mascara after 4 months. If you want to save money on cosmetics, then save it on mascara because it is the item you will have to replace most often. Your vision is precious, so ignore this at your peril. This is one of my most favourite mascaras Maxi Frange Waterproof Mascara

Lipstick

Throw out old lipsticks every 1 – 2 years. Some people say 4 years but either way, if it smells bad, throw it out (a rancid smell means it has spoiled). Lipstick (lip colour) was probably the first makeup to be used. If you store your lipsticks in the fridge, they will last longer (a few months). Try by Terry Twist-On Lip … a wonderful two-coloured lipstick which is creamy and plumps.

Lip liners

Pencil lip liners can last 3 years and like your pencil eyeliner should be sharpened before each use. MODELCO Lip Enhancer Illusion Lip Liner Pencil has been a favourite for many years. A good shape to your lips is an essential for a good makeup; none of us has perfect lips when we crawl across the over 55 line.

As for the tools you use to apply makeup, wash brushes every 2 – 3 months in a gentle detergent (shampoo or with hand soap is often recommended). Sponges should be washed weekly and thrown away at the end of every month.