When to Toss Your Makeup

Makeup can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus. While some products have expiration dates on them, there are many newer products with more “natural” ingredients, including preservatives. These may have a shorter antibacterial window of time.

These are my personal preferences with my own makeup with one caveat – I wash my brushes and change my sponges every two weeks.

Starting with a freshly cleansed skin palette, meaning cleanser, activating tonic, nutrient serum, eye and lip cream, and moisturizer on, here’s what I do from the base up:

• Concealer – I use Cream Concealer, apply with washed fingertips / sponge blot – every three months.
• Veil / Foundation – cream form, apply with washed fingertips / sponge blot – every three months.
• Mineral Powder Protection – applied with brush – every three months.
• Blush (powder) – applied with brush – every three months.
• Eye Shadow (powder) – applied with brush – every three months.
• Eyeliner (pencil) – applied directly to skin, sharpen pencil weekly, every three months.
• Mascara – different from the above, applied with brush that is placed back into closed mascara container. Old eyelashes, lint, bacteria and oils are placed back into container with wand. One to three months.
• Lipstick – applied directly to lips, leaving skin oils, bacteria, on surface of lipstick or gloss brush. One to three months. Tip to keep cleaner, use after tooth-brushing or cleansing lips.
• Nails – manicure/pedicure tools autoclaved and not reused in between clients, disposable pedicure bath liners.

When in doubt – throw it out!