This week You! talks to renowned beautician Mona J. regarding when to update your makeup bag...
beauty
This week You! talks to renowned beautician Mona J. regarding when to update your makeup bag...
Are you a makeup junkie who just can’t resist buying various cosmetics every now and then? Nothing beats the feeling of applying a new lipstick or trying out the eye shadow palette that you just bought. Right? But gals, what many of us tend to ignore is the fact that beauty products also have an expiry date. Yes, it might be time to part with your favourite lipstick or mascara.
So, coming to the question, when does your makeup expire? In this regard You! talks to renowned beautician Mona J. about the expiry dates of various makeup products. Read on...
Does makeup expire?
If you’re not convinced that updating your makeup bag is that much of a health hazard, you are not alone. According to a study, some women keep their makeup for up to six years after their expiry date, and 70 per cent of women never clean their makeup brushes. “Keeping old products can expose us to harmful toxins and cause serious skin problems like itching, dark patches, skin rashes and acne,” says Mona J.
It is all in the base...
When it comes to the expiry date of base/foundation and concealer, be careful. “The life of your foundation depends on its ingredients. A water-based product will last up to 12 months, while oil-based foundations will make it to 18 months because oil is a natural preservative. The signs are quite visible - when the oils rise to the top and the consistency thickens, it means that it is time to toss away your foundation. Also, while applying you will feel that your base is not giving the required results, it will be uneven, streaky and the finish will be inconsistent,” tells Mona.
“You can prevent your foundation from separating by stashing it somewhere cool and regularly shaking the liquid to mix the oils, purified water and make-up particles together,” she adds.
Blush, eye shades and face powder:
According to Mona J, powder based cosmetics have a longer shelf life. “Powder products don’t contain water, so it’s harder to make bacteria grow. If you notice a hard rim on your powder, then it is time to dispose off your beauty products. Also, my advice would be to not use your powder shadows or blushers more than 2 years,” explains Mona.
On how to protect your powder based products, the expert shares, “Always close your compact or twist the lid shut after use to avoid oxidation, which can change the colour of powders. Make sure to avoid using an emollient or greasy concealer before you apply. Plus, make sure your brush is always clean before each use to limit the amount of oil that ends up in your powder.”
Mascaras:
“Mascaras last up to three months with everyday use and six months with occasional use. Wet environments harbour bacteria, which is why our most-loved beauty product has such a short expiration period. Bacteria also naturally exist on our eyelashes and these germs are transferred from our eyes to our wands and into the mascara. The expiry signs include weird smell and extra clumpy when you apply it,” informs Mona.
The expert advises not to pump the wand very frequently, as it pushes air into the tube, causing it to dry out. Instead, draw it out and twist against the tube’s interior to pick up product. If your mascara dries up, revive with a few drops of baby oil.
Lipsticks and lip-gloss :
More often than not we tend to cling on to our favourite lip colours. However, Mona suggests not using lipsticks more than 2 to 3 years. “Lipsticks don’t hold much bacteria, so it can last for a long time. Although lipstick and gloss are packed with preservatives and essential oils and vitamins to ward off germs, these naturally start to break down after two years. The best way to know if your lipstick or lip gloss has expired is to smell and see if there is a weird stench. Any beading of moisture, smells or chalky texture means it’s time to toss.”
Regarding how you can protect your lip shades, Mona states, “Store your summer hue in the fridge. Keeping lipstick and gloss away from heat slows the breakdown of ingredients. Also, don’t apply lipstick straight after eating - it cultivates bacteria.”
Eyeliners:
When asked about the right time to toss the eyeliner away, the beautician shares, “Three months to three years. Liquid eyeliners have the same bacteria-prone formula and packaging as mascaras, whereas pencil eyeliners have greater lasting power because as you sharpen them you remove bacteria that you pick up from using it on your eyes.”
“The best way to know if your liner has expired is to look for a white film that can’t be sharpened off. Replace it with a brand new one,” she adds.
Beloved brushes:
“Brushes can last a long time if well looked after. When the bristles start falling out, that’s when you know it is time to replace your beloved brushes. The thing is that we don’t take proper care of the stuff that we use. It is important to wash your brushes at least once every two weeks, and try to spot-clean your eye brushes after each use to avoid infections. All you need is warm water, mild soap and a dash of olive oil; give your brush a swirl (the olive oil breaks down the oil in make-up) and rinse thoroughly,” concludes Mona J.
