Toss it or Keep it?
by Jennifer Holder
If you are a product junkie like me then you probably have lotions,
creams, tubes of lipstick etc that have been sitting in the same spot untouched
for several months or even years. You know the items that you just had to have
but then forgot about after the thrill of buying it wore off.
This article is
intended to be used as a guide for product junkies everywhere to know when a
product should be thrown away or kept around for a little while longer.
Everything has a shelf life including our make-up and all other potions and
lotions. But there are things you can do to lengthen the life of your products.
1. Keep your products out of the bathroom this includes any prescriptions or over
the counter medications too. Humidity can affect the life of all products.
2. Keep away from extreme temperatures including direct sunlight which could
change the color and fragrance.
3. Do not share any products unless they come in
a pump bottle or new applicator for each use. Bacteria can build up and shorten
the life of your product. Or worse cause you to get an infection.
Lotions and Creams Separation after sitting for a while means the product should
be tossed. Smell is also an important factor. If the products smell changes in
any way that is a good indication that it has expired. Toss it!
Foundations,
moisturizers etc all have a shelf life of about a year after opening as long as
they are stored properly. If you notice any change in consistency or fragrance
it’s a pretty safe bet that it is no longer good. If you still have that cover
up from when you went to prom do yourself a favor and Toss it!
Fragrances If
stored properly away from heat and cold your favorite scent can last 3 to 5
years. It is a good idea to store fragrances in a cool dark area such as a
jewelry box or drawer.
Powders All types of powders including blush and eye
shadow have a pretty long shelf life as long as you use a new or cleaned
applicator with each use. Have you ever seen someone’s powder compact with a
dark film on top? That is an accumulation of oils from the skin that have been
trapped in the puff and then absorbed into the powder. Yuck! Avoid this by
either washing your applicator regularly or buying a bag of applicators at a
dollar store and use a fresh one each time you apply your powder. Powder brushes
for loose powder should be cleaned at least once a week to keep your powder
fresh.
Pencils Pencils have a pretty long shelf life because every time you
sharpen eyeliner or lip pencil you are exposing new product. It is a good idea
to sharpen your pencils at least once a week to remove any contaminants. Do not
let your pencils get wet and then dry out again. This may cause mold to form.
Lipsticks and glosses Bacteria does not thrive on wax based products so these
types of products tend to last quit a long time about 1 to 2 years. If you
notice “beading” on the surface of your lipstick this indicates that it has been
exposed to heat or is aging. Check the color and consistency and if it appears
to have changed: Toss it! Lip glosses with wand applicators should never be
shared because bacteria can get trapped inside the container. To be on the safe
side replace these types of glosses every six months.
Mascara and Liquid
Eyeliner The MAX shelf life for these kinds of products is 3 months!! Do
yourself a favor and label your mascara’s and liquid eyeliners with the date
that it was opened on the package somewhere. Your eye area is one of the most
sensitive parts on your body. You do not want to take any chances of getting
some sort of infection. It is also a bad idea to share these types of products
too. When you use mascara or liner do not pump the wand, this cause air and
bacteria to get trapped inside. Instead wipe the sides of the tube to pick up
color.
Products like the ones mentioned in this article can make you look and
feel you’re best but it is important to know that it is not a good idea to keep
these types of things for an extended period of time. I would suggest you do a
“spring” clean of your make-up bag every three months or so. Then go shopping
for new products! You deserve it!
About the author: Jennifer Holder is an Independent AVON Representative and a
Stay at home mom with two children. She can be contacted by email at
avonjen@yahoo.com
or by visiting her website at http://www.youravon.com/jenniferholder where you
can also find more great tips and advice on health and beauty.
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