GENERAL FAQ: Shelf-life of cosmetics

[Prinsesa]

I just got an eyeshadow - Black Tied that had the code:

A94 -_-
So its the first batch, September 2004. So uh..I tried it and there's really no difference -_- Do I toss it or what?

 

[Heiaken]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prinsesa I just got an eyeshadow - Black Tied that had the code: A94 -_- So its the first batch, September 2004. So uh..I tried it and there's really no difference -_- Do I toss it or what?

I'd say that if it feels and smells the same as new e/s them it's safe to use it

 

[justtobenaked]

great to know

 

[User27]

People throughout this thread asked about fluidlines. You'll be able to tell when they're going downhill because they start getting dried out and seperate from the sides of the jar. Instead of trying to save it, I just replace it then. That stuff is hell to battle once it starts drying out....clumps on your brush and goes on atrociously. I swear I clamp my paint pots and fluidlines to the point my fiance has to open them for me sometimes.

The person that mentioned being a collector, I feel you 100% because I end up buying long enough to forget what I own and have eyeshadows I've never even used. I'm now trying to limit what I buy so I actually use what I own before everything starts to expire.....I allow myself only $150 a week for cosmetics so I can actually start to USE it all then have it sit looking pretty.
I fell off this week but only because I was buying for friends and family too.

 

[mern]

150 A WEEK.. wow... ahha I do about 300 a month and I thought that I was a crazy lady!

Id LOVE to see your collection!

 

[goddessella]

and here i was thinking i was the only freak who hates tossing very slightly used but really old makeup..

i tossed several baskets of make up 2 years ago.. but mind you these are verrrryyyy old and non mac.. i just recently discovered mac (like last january..) i know.. been living under the mythical rock, so to speak..

now im going go the smells the same, looks the same, feels the same route as everyone else..

 

[sunshine16]

Only thing i have to add is please ladies, don't keep your makeup in your bathroom! It's the worst room in the whole house to keep it, it would be better in your kitchen or anywhere for that matter.
The steam and heat in your bathroom is going to break down your products so much quicker.

 

[sleep2dream]

Hi !
I'm new here, I've spent many hours reading this awesome forum and here's my first post (I'm French, so I'm sorry for the mistakes).

I wanted to know if for lipsticks, there is a huge difference between unopened and unused ; if a lipstick was opened just in order to check if everything was ok (something bought on eBay for instance), does it mean that I still have to use it up very quickly or it will smell rancid ?

Thanks in advance, I haven't found any answer for this question...

 

[xx_princess_xx]

thanks for this thread, but considering how expensive MAC cosmetics are i dont think i would throw out my products every 6 months, i mean i don't know anyone who can finish MAC pigments that quick or even ever, i think iv had some of my pigments for over 5 years.

 

[franken_stein]

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on this. I am really wanting to get Sephora's Lash Stash. But I feel like even if you're not super-careful about throwing old makeup away, mascara is definitely one thing you SHOULD be careful about. It's just really easy for bacteria to grow on those wands and inside the bottle.

But there's just noooo way I'm using up all of those mascaras plus the ones I already have in three months. I wonder if the chances of infection or whatnot would be lessened by the fact that I'd be using those mascaras less often because of having so many. Anybody have any tips or thoughts?

 

[AshleyTatton]

Use them one at a time, it's 3-6 months from when you crack them open.

 

[BebeGirl123]

This was extremely helpful.

 

[mariakyle123]

wow, this is very helpful.

 

[ILoveMakeup84]

Do you know whats the shelf-life of MSF's? Since some of them are like from 2005, are they safe to use?

 

[ittybittylizzy]

This is some really good info.
Thank you.

 

[WhatWouldJoanDo]

just open one at a time ... it's timed from when it's opened that you need to throw it out

But there's just noooo way I'm using up all of those mascaras plus the ones I already have in three months. I wonder if the chances of infection or whatnot would be lessened by the fact that I'd be using those mascaras less often because of having so many. Anybody have any tips or thoughts?

 

[WhatWouldJoanDo]

In the news:

Did you read today's msn health?

[h=1]Germs lurking in old makeup: It isn't pretty[/h]
today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41972842/ns/today-today_health/

 

[ElvenEyes]

Having worked in cosmetics and a pharmacy I was aware of shelf life. A lot of people really don't. Back in the late 80's the FDA was trying to get something passed that cosmetics would have to be labeled with an expiration date, but it didn't pass. Maybe because a lot doesn't expires as quickly until you use it, though just browse through a drugstore and you can see foundations and nail polishes separating. Using old lipstick and glosses can give you lip fungus. Eye makeup can give you very nasty infections. Nailpolish or nail cremes can give you nail fungus. And so it goes on and on. Be wise in buying. I love collecting. I love using my stuff. I keep track of when I buy it by taking photos of a haul and keeping them in my Beauty folder. The 2nd week of April is when I change out my mascara. My foundation gets used long before it expires, so no problem there. Same with UD, concealer, powder blushes. I rarely finish a l/s or gloss before it is expired, but I just buck up and toss the stuff and see it as an opportunity to get something new or revamp my collection. I don't use creme shadows and painterly pots only once in a while. I could live without them if necessary. I will never get through all my e/s either, but at least I will have a lot of fun wearing them and trying out different looks and brands for the next year or two before toss time comes! 365 days in a year is a lot of makeup fun!

 

[WhatWouldJoanDo]

My eyeshadows and other products have expiry dates: for example, on my NARS eyeshadow it say 24 M ( 24 months) after opening .... the jar printed on cosmetics tells you how long after opening. See this wikipedia link for images and information:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Period-after-opening_symbol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Period-after-opening_symbol

Hope that helps everyone!!

Having worked in cosmetics and a pharmacy I was aware of shelf life. A lot of people really don't. Back in the late 80's the FDA was trying to get something passed that cosmetics would have to be labeled with an expiration date, but it didn't pass. Maybe because a lot doesn't expires as quickly until you use it, though just browse through a drugstore and you can see foundations and nail polishes separating. Using old lipstick and glosses can give you lip fungus. Eye makeup can give you very nasty infections. Nailpolish or nail cremes can give you nail fungus. And so it goes on and on. Be wise in buying. I love collecting. I love using my stuff. I keep track of when I buy it by taking photos of a haul and keeping them in my Beauty folder. The 2nd week of April is when I change out my mascara. My foundation gets used long before it expires, so no problem there. Same with UD, concealer, powder blushes. I rarely finish a l/s or gloss before it is expired, but I just buck up and toss the stuff and see it as an opportunity to get something new or revamp my collection. I don't use creme shadows and painterly pots only once in a while. I could live without them if necessary. I will never get through all my e/s either, but at least I will have a lot of fun wearing them and trying out different looks and brands for the next year or two before toss time comes! 365 days in a year is a lot of makeup fun!

 

[zewzeq]

It's funny. I noticed that symbol on some of my stuff but didn't know the meaning of it. I just checked my powder and it says 24m. I finish my powders pretty fast tough.
I usually use my makeup until it goes bad. I have a 3-4 year old eye pencil and never got an eye infection because of it.