Just like anything else, makeup doesn't last forever. Although you'd like to get every penny you spent on your makeup products, keeping them for too long just isn't a good idea. If you use very old makeup products, they might not work as well as they used to. Using old makeup might also cause irritations and infections. Certain makeup products last longer than others, so it's important to be able to tell when your makeup has gone bad.
Foundation
Liquid foundation should be thrown out after six months because it will start to go on unevenly as the oils rise to the top of the bottle. Bacteria can also start to grow inside the bottle because you constantly dip your fingers and brushes in it. Powder foundation, on the other hand can last up to two years because there is no water for bacteria to grow.
Mascara
After three months, it's time to say bye to your mascara. Your mascara will become more clumpy and chalky, making it more difficult to apply. There will also be more bacteria breeding in the mascara tube because it's dark and wet inside.
Lipstick
Although you will probably use it up in much less time, lipstick can last up to two years. After a couple of years, lipstick will no longer look creamy on your lips. If the lipstick is a long-wearing formula, it won't even last two years because its ingredients will evaporate more quickly.
Eye shadow
If you love purchasing a lot of eye shadows, you will be glad to know that powder ones can last up to two years. This is because they don't have any water, making them less prone to bacteria. But older eye shadows might not perform as well as newer ones; it might be more difficult to pick up pigment with your brush.
Take the time to go through your makeup bag every once in awhile to see what you have to toss out. Doing this will prevent you from getting any nasty infections.
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