Ditch and Make Up

So much for a bank holiday! I had been envisioning a day where I could while away a couple of hours outside on a lovely sunny afternoon. But no, the heavens opened and dictated that I stay indoors and spring clean my room from top to toe.

I didn’t get too far. I realised that just organising my dressing table drawers was going to be a mammoth task. For I possess far too many potions and lotions, far too much for a girl to handle.

I’m quite certain I don’t need them and yet I cannot seem to throw anything away; particularly when it comes to make up.

But like food, all make up products have their own expiry dates. And so I’ve done a little investigation as to when it is the best time to ditch the make up. Hopefully this might encourage me to part with at least some of my beauty belongings.

When to throw out your make up

Upon opening a liquid foundations and powders, they will last for one year and no more.

Cream eye shadows can last between six to twelve months, whilst powdered eye shadows have a longer shelf life of one year plus. The same rule applies to blushes.

Mascara has the shortest lifespan of all, lasting only three months at a time. This is due to the pumping action of the mascara wand. The extra supply of air causes the mascara to dry out (and flake). It also leaves it susceptible to growth of bacteria. So it’s always best to discard your mascara products on a regular basis to avoid getting eye infections.

If you sharpen your eyeliners regularly then it can last for three years (just as long as you haven’t come to the end of the pencil). Keeping your eyeliners sharp will ensure bacteria cannot grow on the tip of the pencil.

And as for lipsticks, there are some discrepancies as to when to throw it away. Some experts say that lipsticks can last one year but others say four years. So while they fight it out, we should go by the sniffing rule. Yes, smelling is a very good way of testing your most of your products! If they don’t smell very good, then you know it’s time to bid that lippie adieu.

There you go. I don’t know if that’s going to help me with my makeup hoarding problem but it’s a start in the right direction. So here’s to a tidier dressing table!