Have you ever wondered if that mascara you bought last year will still be okay to use?

• Each product must display a use by date, like with foods. 
• When purchasing products, always check that you have enough time to use it up before it’s past its use by date.
• Don’t leave your make up sit in a hot humid area, as this will rapidly decrease its shelf life.

Keep lids on at all times, even when you are dashing out the door in a hurry. 
Ensure make up and other products don’t dry out or get contaminated. 
Dirty make up brushes are a major cause of contamination. Keep this in mind next time you have your make up applied or tested on you in the department or make up store. Don’t be shy to ask them how they clean their brushes in between clients etc. to help prevent cross contamination. 



We all have our favourite perfume, but as they say variety is the spice of life. I like to have a few different perfumes but notice that throughout they yes they change in colour, scent and sometimes even consistency. Some appear thicker with time. Floral scents are past their best after about eighteen months. Where as light citrus based perfumes start to deteriorate in as little as six months.

Nail polish can last for years as most brands contain formaldehyde, which preserves them.

Always keep them in a cool place and ensure the lit is replaced firmly at all times. 

In general hair care lasts twelve months. If out of date you will notice shampoos will not lather up properly. Hair masks tend to become stickier than normal and begin to harden when they are past their use by date. 
With lip-glosses, I tend to opt for squeezy tubes rather than wand applicators, as it is more hygienic and less likely to become contaminated.

Most lip-glosses will last for up to twenty-four months. Lipsticks last between twelve and twenty-four month. Store your lippies in the fridge to help preserve them. 

Eye shadows last for up to two years. Their smell changes dramatically when they are ready to be thrown out. 
This is an important one, mascara! Make sure you use your mascara within four months, and if you don’t, as much as it kills you, throw it out!

Mascara wands are breeding grounds for bacteria, and bacteria is something you do not want in or around the eye area. 

Foundation last between twelve and twenty-four months depending on the quality of it and how well you store it. Mineral powder lasts up to two years. Being a natural based product with inhibitors, it has a longer shelf life than most products. 
Sunscreen should be used within a year of opening.

Never ever scrimp n save on sun protection. 

Having being opened, face cleansers may be used for up to one year. Face moisturiser may be used for up two years. 
Body products tend to last quite some time. Having being opened body wash will be fine to use for eighteen to twenty-four months. Body moisturiser can last for eighteen to twenty-four months. Body toning / firming products (i.e. firming serums or gels) can be used up to twelve to twenty-four months after being opened.

Luckily for self confessed product junkies like myself we can try and test the latest of everything, knowing that we have plenty of time to use them up. I must admit, I never have this problem as I never have products go bad before using them. I guess that’s why they call me the beauty queen!