How long is your makeup good for?

Although you may think that your mascara is good as long as it comes out of the tube, it probably isn't. When it comes out clumpy and flakes off its time to kick it to the curb.

It is best to toss out old makeup before it gives you an eye infection or makes you break out when it didn't a month ago. Below is a guideline for how long each item of makeup lasts.

• Mascara should be kept no longer than 3-6 months. I replace mine every 1-3 months depending on which brand I am currently using. If it starts to flake, change odour, texture or colour it is time to toss.
• Oil-Free and Cream Foundations should be kept no longer than 12 months. When they start to thicken, change colour or odour they have gone bad.
• Concealer is good for 12 to 18 months. It is time to toss them when they change colour or thicken.
• Powder should not be kept for longer than 18 months. When the texture changes when it is applied or the colour changes it should go in the trash.
• Blush & Bronzer are good for 18 months. They are powders that is not applied to your eyes. Toss once they change texture when applied, the dry out or the colour is off.
• Cream Blush is good for 12 months. When the texture, colour and odour change it is time to toss.
• Eye shadow is good for 18 months. Toss once it becomes dry, application is harder and the colour changes.
• Eyeliner is good for 12 months. It has gone bad then the texture, colour or odour has changed. Be sure to sharpen before every usage to cut down on bacteria picked up from application.
• Liquid Eyeliner should be tossed after 6 months. The liquid is a hotbed for bacteria as it is exposed to the air and your eye.
• Lipstick/Lip Gloss is good for 18 months. Time for the trash when the taste, odour or stickiness changes.
• Lipliner is good for 12 months. Sharped after each use. It should go in the bin once it changes colour, texture or odour.
• Nail Polish should be tossed after 12 months. It starts to change colour and separation is harder to mix back up.
• Perfume is usually good for 2 to 3 years if stores in a cool dry place, such as a dry basement. Time to toss them when the scent changes and goes off.
• Sunscreen is usually good until the expiration date on the bottle. The expiration date is for the SPF, when it expires the SPF is not guaranteed to work.

You don't want to be applying to your face something that has bacteria growing in it or is rancid. The last thing you want is to give yourself a terrible infection over a $22 eyeliner or mascara.