Ballerific Beauty: How Often Should You Buy New Makeup?

While you take a day off to relax and start your spring cleaning, you might as well re-organize and toss away old products in your makeup bag. Even though you may have a favorite brush, or that concealer you’ve been hanging on to “just in case…” you should throw them away to prevent eye infections, skin irritation and bacteria build up.

Makeup isn’t required to have an expiration date on the packaging, so keep track of the dates after you’ve opened products using a sharpie. Don’t be lazy when it comes to your favorite products. If you notice a foul smell from your lipstick, dry mascara, or broken brushes, toss them out.

Your powders and bronzers typically last you the longest compared to anything else. They can stay in your makeup bag for up to two years. Powder and bronzers don’t contain any water and oil based ingredients, but if you notice a darker change in the colors or the powders become too cakey, buy a new palette.

Eyeshadow can last just as long as your blush, powders and bronzers. If the eyeshadow is being used consistently, take note that bacteria build up can happen — especially if you apply eyeshadow using your fingertips instead of a brush. Not following proper hygiene with your eye shadow can lead to eye infections (not a cute look). After a year of using a cream based eyeshadow, it’s recommended that you toss it out.

Your foundations, primers and concealers can be kept for up to 6 months to a year. After using these products consistently and applying the makeup with dirty finger tips, brushes and sponges can cause your foundation to spoil overtime. Once your foundation and concealers start to separate, smell funky, or change color, toss them away to protect your skin. When you’re applying concealer use the back of your hand so you aren’t touching the blemishes and dipping your brush back into the concealer bottle; which actually adds bacteria into the concealer.

Lipstick and lip gloss don’t last very long because they are oil based products; which leads to uneven tones in the colors. Liquid based lipstick and glosses last you for up to three months, non-liquid based up to 6 months. There’s a few things you’ll notice when it’s time to replace them:  If you notice the lipstick is too dry or it has an odor, it’s time to let it go. It doesn’t hurt to clean your lipstick once a week with a makeup wipe, cleaning off the outside layer removing any bacteria build up. If you’ve noticed your lipgloss is excessively sticky with an odor, toss it away.

Makeup brushes can last for a long time depending on the condition you keep them in and how often you keep them cleaned.  It’s important to clean your brushes at least once or twice a week, with an anti-bacterial cleanser, depending on how often they’re being used.  Makeup sponges should be thrown away when you notice pieces are peeling off and when the concealer begins to stain the sponge. Once your brushes and sponges don’t work as well as they did when you purchased it, throw it out.

Lastly mascara and liquid eyeliner should be thrown out after three months. Pencil eyeliner can be used for up to one year. The only way to keep your pencils clean is by sharpening and storing them in a cool area, but make sure you’re keeping your sharpeners disinfected and cleaned as well! If there is a foul smell or change in color get rid of the pencil to prevent an eye infection or bacteria build up. I myself am guilty of pumping my mascara to get more product before applying it… Though it causes a significant amount of air to get trapped inside the liquid allowing bacteria to grow inside the mascara and liquid eyeliner tube. Once your liquid eyeliner and mascara begins to dry out or has a bad smell, buy a new set.