“Um, I bought that in high school…”

Yes, I kid you not, that is actually what a client told me when she pulled an eye pencil out of her bag during a makeup lesson, and, suffice it to say she graduated high school in the eighties. “Well, you said bring all your makeup. And this is it”, she regaled, as we started our time together. When we are in a makeup lesson, we discuss lots of things, including the current makeup in your kit and when it was purchased. ALL MAKEUP HAS A SHELF LIFE. ALL MAKEUP HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE. While different types of makeup have different expiration dates depending on ingredients as well as usage, to try to remember all of them is impractical. I find it easiest to suggest to most of my clients to simply throw away any remaining makeup one year from purchase.

Mascara will last for a shorter period time, but it is also used more frequently. Throw mascara away after 3 to 6 months.

Powder-based formulas of foundation, like the La Bella Donna foundation that I carry at my boutique, have a longer shelf life. Especially mineral-based powder foundations, because they are inorganic.

I tell all my clients that part of being in the makeup game is embracing the true fact that we have to throw away makeup, even if it has not been completely used. The simple truth is that the industry gives you more makeup in a container then you are likely to use in a year. Especially if you like to change up your look. The amount of eyeshadow that you might use in a year is very tiny normally compared to the amount that is in the containers. Portion control is not in makeup manufacturer’s lexicons! It’s simply because the actual amount that you use is so small, that you would not want to purchase a container of it. It would be difficult to even make one, and it certainly wouldn’t be as attractive and appealing!

There are ways to make sure that your makeup stays as clean as possible, and therefore, lasts for the whole year. Keep it away from water and moisture. Don’t infect it, or keep re-infecting it, with dirty brushes! (Brushes should be cleaned once a week!) If you do develop some sort of infection, such as pinkeye, don’t use your makeup and don’t put a brush in it that you used on your eye. There are also cosmetic sprays that can disinfect makeup. Many makeup artists use these sprays, for example, with their kits, to ensure bacteria-free makeup in between clients. And using a sharpener on pencils, whether they be eye pencils or lip pencils, actually keeps the pencils free of bacteria, while at the same time helping to make the application of the pencil much more satisfying! When traveling with makeup and brushes, keep the two separate. Combining makeup containers and brushes in the same bag, will serve only to dirty both of them very quickly. The same goes for storing your products at home. The use of canned air (like the kind used to clean computer keyboards), is also a wonderful way to clean up powder-based makeup throughout the year.

Keeping makeup clean and bacteria-free, as well as “fresh”, that is… less than a year old, will only serve to enhance your looks and improve your makeup practice!