Longevity of your makeup

I was watching Steven and Chris on TV the other day and the beauty expert, Thea Mitchell, was there to talk about the longevity of our makeup. It is quite surprising. Well, to tell the truth...I was shocked. Here's what she said:

Makeup should be kept in a cool and dry environment. This means we shouldn't be keeping it in that bathroom shelf. You know that bathroom is full of a lot of warm, damp heat. You might want to consider keeping all of your basic makeup in a pretty basket in your bedroom, where you can easily transport it into your bathroom.   

Also, you shouldn't allow your makeup to sit in your car where it could freeze or melt. This can breakdown the particles within it and cause the consistency of the product to be off and not work as it should.

How can you tell if it is time to throw away your makeup? The best way is by actually smelling it. If lipstick or a cream product begins to smell funny, it is time to toss it. If after shaking a bottle of nail polish or foundation and it doesn't smell or look right, it is also time to toss them.

How long?
Cream Based- 6 months
Powder Based- 18 months
Mascara- 3 months
Lipstick- 12 months
Applicators- 4 Weeks

Mascara - Mascara should be replaced every three months, no matter how it smells. Never share your mascara with ANYONE! Repeat. NEVER SHARE YOUR MASCARA WITH ANYONE! People have gotten eye infections this way - it's not pretty! Also, never "pump" your mascara - you're just pumping air into the chamber, which dries it out faster.

Eye and Lip Pencils - Don't share these either (actually its a good rule of thumb not to share makeup at all!) Keep up to three years - sharpen often and toss if they become smelly or crumbly.

Lipstick and gloss - Once again, no sharing! Will last up to two years but the "stay-on" formulas dry out quicker.

Powder cosmetics (like blush, eyeshadow) - Up to 18 months, but toss if its cakey, stinky or you can't pick up color.

Foundation - This depends a lot on the product. If it's water-based, toss after a year. Oil based, about a year. If it has SPF in it though, it has a shorter shelf life so no longer than a year. Once again toss if stinky.

MAKE-UP DOS
Washing your hands before applying. 
Not sharing makeup. 
Not adding water or saliva to dilute makeup. 
Keeping cosmetics in a dry area, away from direct heat or sunlight.

If you're still unsure about a product, here are some warning signs that will tell you if it has expired: 
The product's smell has changed. 
It has been exposed to prolonged heat. 
There is an obvious colour or textural change. 
Mould is evident.

Source: www.cbc.ca/stevenandchris/2009/03/how_long_does_makeup_last.html

After watching the show, I went straight to my bathroom (I know, I have to find a new place to store my makeup) to do a cleanup but couldn't recalling when I first used such or such product. 

Well, if you're like me, don't despair. Here are few tips to get us more organized:

1) label your products (indicate the date you bought the product)

2) keep a makeup diary: write in a notebook the start using date, end using date and the product manufacturing date for budget planning and making sure you don't use it past the date. Also, you keep track of how long each stuff last you.

3) I wouldn't suggest you writing the information on the bills because after awhile, the ink fades away.

I can hear you...you're probably thinking that's troublesome and a waste of time...but I think it's a very good habit to take. 

Gotta go throw away this 3-year-old eyeshadow...but can I keep my mascaras?!