Before we get started on our makeup organization series, we want you to do a little pre-game prep. This first step we like to call “toss it or keep it”.
With daylight savings upon us, we can make the best of it getting dark at 4pm. Kidding (only slightly). Get comfy, get your binge-watching shows on queue, grab a handful or two of that leftover Halloween candy and get ready to get rid of some makeup (perhaps shedding a few tears in the process)!
Start with anything that is EXPIRED! Yes makeup, like food, expires. Not only are the ingredients perishable, but once they are exposed to air and the bacteria that is EVERYWHERE (including your beautiful face)! It creates a bacteria growing party, not unlike the petri dishes from your microbiology class. Oi! Because of this, expired cosmetics can cause skin irritation and eye infections. Don’t feel too bad if you have been hanging on to some makeup a little too long, you are not alone! A study from Stowaway Cosmetics and Poshly found that 89 percent of women hoard old makeup “just in case.” Additionally, less than 1 in 5 replace their mascara within the recommended three months. Before you do that walk of shame with your old mascara, look around because you are in good company. We all get it! Maybe you found THE perfect shade and it was discontinued. Maybe you splurged on something you don’t quite have the budget to replace. Maybe its sentimental. Or maybe you just can’t remember WHEN you bought it. If that is the case, having an efficient makeup organization system will help you utilize the makeup you have, cutting down on the hoarding of makeup, where you end up with 6 different half used black eyeliner pencils. Nod if you have been there too. If you keep your makeup tidy, i.e. no broken pieces of shadow, clumpy gloss, or lipstick that has a funky smell (yes that happens, thanks bacteria), you can bet that you are getting rid of it before it expires. If you aren’t sure what the timeline for tossing it is, we have made an easy reference chart for you below! Copy it to your phone, pin it or print it out and keep it with your makeup.
*A hint on keeping track of purchase date: while there are several options, I like to do a couple of annual and seasonal shops. For instance, mascara needs to be replaced at least every 3 months. BUT the unopened mascara has a shelf life of 2 years! So for me, I stock up on 4 mascara (I usually purchase more because I go through it faster for my own personal replacement preference) during my favorite mascara sale, which happens annually. Then I mark on the box what the purchase date was. I get one out at a time, every 2-3 months. Easy peasy.
You can also keep track in your Evernote or other digital files, by emailing yourself, or even keeping the hard receipts in a file folder. Still others like marking the product with a sharpie or paint marker the date of purchase. Lots of ideas. No excuses.
If you are unable to afford the replacement cost at their expiration date, I hate to say this as we are of the mind that your cosmetics are the BEST place to splurge, especially since they go on your skin, but you need to find a more cost effective solution. It might only be temporary, but it is your health! I get it- that cheapo mascara might not volumize and lengthen your lashes like you want but neither will pink eye. So replace and save your pennies and ask Santa! We could (and should) do a whole post on beauty on a budget, as well as when to buy your favorites for the most bang for your buck so we will stop there.
So ladies and gents (yes gents! Because we know makeup is NOT just for the ladies) lets do a quick toss of the expired, the broken, the just.not.loving.it (in fact get your girlfriends together, sanitize the heck out of those non-favs and see if you all can make them better homes with someone else. Ha) and lets make room for our perfect space. The space that is easy, beautiful, efficient and makes us WANT to get ready, whether we have 15 min or 50!
XoXo- M&D
Carrie says
This is great… I may not stick to the exact expiration but I do clean out my makeup at least 2x a year!
Good job for already cleaning out your makeup bag on the regular!!!
I’ve been needing to go through and purge out my old makeup. I have such a hard time parting with products….so strange. Thanks for the tips.
Trust me…. we ALL do thats why this guide is a great reminder that bacteria can grow even in the prettiest product after a while 🙂 Glad this helped.
Blogging Mummy says
I actually don’t really clear out my make up bag, i use mine all well within the time scales. prob because though I don’t have that much. I only have the usually foundation, mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow and blusher. Thank you for linking up with Blogging Mummy at #anythinggoes
Way to go! You have a totally functional makeup “capsule”! I love that, that’s what I try to keep in my diaper bag for the day to day. Although I eliminate the blush and eyeshadow and just use a multiple that does double duty and add an eyebrow pencil 🙂 I still find my timeline on my mascara fluctuates a lot. Thanks for hosting the link up! Can’t wait to see who joins next week 🙂
I had no idea about these expiration days and now I should probably go through and get rid of a good number of products. Thanks for this info, it was definitely not something I’ve ever done before(And should probably get rid of the high school eye shadows I still have)
Bree Hogan says
Ooooh! What a handy little guide to have in the bathroom to remind me when to part ways with my different cosmetics. Thanks for sharing!
www.caravansonnet.com says
What a great and handy guide!! Thank you so much for sharing with us!!
Shann says
Love the print out. I need to go thru my make up and purge. Thanks for the reminder.
Ariel @ Keys to My Life says
Love this! For the longest time I had no idea makeup expired and was one of those girls who kept everything I got. I just recently cleaned out some stuff, but I think it’s time to do it again!
I was always wondering about how long to keep certain makeup. This is great and will be used tons, because I can never remember.
Kelly @theinspiredparent says
Great list - I need to get better at getting rid of things - I definitely hold onto make-up longer than I should!
I am really naughty when it comes to throwing out old make up. In fact, I celebrate if I have made something last a long time! This is really handy and I’m thinking of doing a clear out based on this post so thanks for the tips!
Lottie xx
http://lottielamour.co.uk
I love this post! I totally needed this I don’t buy makeup often so I actually have a lot to go through. Thanks for sharing 🙂
kristinacamille.com
lvkc66.com says
I love the toss it list, i rarely wear make up so i waste it alot, thank u for the guideline on when to toss it
Cassy says
you can extend the life of mascara by putting one or two drops of lavender essential oil in your tube right when you buy it. great for eyelash growth as well 🙂
www.mommyneedsavodkabreak.com says
My eyes are sooooo sensitive, so I am pretty good at tossing mine on time. I’ve noticed that *most* mascaras have a slight change in smell at about 2 months - so I toss it as soon as I notice that, even if it’s a little early! So much better to replace it then deal with watery itchy eyes and that odd smell!
This is a great reminder to sort through my makeup bag at regular intervals. Thanks for putting all of this wonderful makeup information in a helpful chart! I really appreciate it.
Spring cleaning is here and this is the perfect time to declutter some old makeup. Thanks for the reminder and sharing your guide!
Kari says
I am the worst at throwing this all out. But, I’ve also never had any issues. I find some products I don’t really even use by the time I’m supposed to be cleaning it out.