“When Should I Throw Away ...” (Spring Clean Your Beauty Products the Right Way!)
Tarrah Bouts
I know you have wondered about this! In fact, we are occasionally asked by some of you “How long is this good?” Or “When should I replace….” And then we get into our bathroom, and we forget that we asked, Googled, looked it up on Pinterest; until, we open that product and are forced to use it, questioning ourselves all the while…. “Has this expired?”
I’m doing something a little different with this blog post! Sure, I’m going to break some things down for you, but I’m also going to be giving you a challenge! So print this out, grab a Sharpie, and let’s get to it! (Challenge is at the end, if you know this info and want to skip ahead!)
“How long is it ok to use_______”
· MASCARA
o 4-6 months, UNLESS, you’ve recently had an eye infection! If that is the case, toss it now, and start with a fresh tube once the infection has cleared!
· LINERS (Lip and Eye)
o 12 Months, UNLESS you’ve had an eye infection, or a recent cold sore! Do not risk cross contaminating and continuing with that type of infection!
· FOUNDATION
o This has had some debate, so I am going to give you two answers depending on what you use!
o Regardless of the formula, I would say 12-18 months is a safe window!
o This time is IF you are keeping your sponges, puffs, and brushes clean!
o CAVEAT: Mineral Powder foundations can last between 18-24 months, since no water is present, and looking at what they are comprised of!
· LIPSTICKS, STAINS, GLOSSES
o 8-12 Months, unless you’ve had a cold sore.
· EYESHADOW & BLUSH
o 2 Years. Be attentive to cream based shadows & blushes between 12-18 months, though. They may go bad more quickly.
· HAIR CARE
o 1-2 Years, UNLESS, you are using an Organic product.
o Many times, Organic products contain no preservatives, which help stabilize the product and slow the growth of molds and bacteria.
o If your hair care is Organic, and it most likely stays in your hot, steamy bathroom, it will most likely need tossed at the 1 year mark!
o If using an oil based hair product, and it is simply separating, try shaking the product before dispensing into your hand! If the product is still really separated or smells rancid, looks chunky, it’s time to go!
· SKINCARE
o If you have not gone through a skincare product in 12 months, then you either do not need it, OR you are using it wrong! (Read about Product Use a little bit in this blog for some guidance, or send us a message/email!)
o Treat BODYCARE products in the same manner!
Are you ready for the challenge? There are 2 things that I see happen a lot, and I am guilty of myself! First, we forget, “When did I open that product?” For this, I suggest keeping a Sharpie marker in your bathroom or vanity drawer, and make a habit of putting the month and year on the newly opened package! You will be amazed at how attentive you can be to your product usage, and how much easier it will be to part with items when they reach their expiration date!
If you are like me, I find myself having a hard time throwing things away, when I can’t truly recall when it was opened! I think to myself “Surely that can’t be that old? If it’s not then I am throwing money away!” And then the mom/spending guilt comes into play, and I hold onto it! Not good! But when you know 100% for certain, that that product has hit its expiration date, you will be able to toss with confidence! Plus, you can determine if you used it enough to warrant purchasing another, or if you should look for something new! (As a side note, active ingredients in your product will lose their effectiveness when they reach expiration! So even if your product doesn’t “look bad or smell funny,” it may not be working for you anymore!)
And finally, the CHALLENGE! Print this blog or take your smart phone or laptop where your products are stored. Go through the list format I made for you above. Pick up each product, and Marie Kondo that baby, while you also ask yourself “How long have I probably had this?” And then trust your gut! Make a list or snap a photo in your phone of what you truly want or need to replace. Maybe it’s time for a new foundation altogether. Or is it time to update your skincare routine? Now is the time to take action! Then Sharpie those new products that you bought to replace the old with! It’s called Spring Cleaning for a reason, but this is an activity that you could do at the start of each new season! Once you are finished, you should be able to follow up in 10 minutes or less, 3 months from now! Are you ready for this?