Handy tips
Blush/rouge
Shelf life after opening: Two years for powders, 12 to 18 months for creams.
Tip: After two years, powder blushes dry out. If the product has changed colour, it’s no longer in its prime. Cream blushes have a shorter lifespan.
Eyeshadow
Shelf life after opening: Three years.
Tip: If you accidentally drop your eyeshadow and the powder shatters, The Body Shop’s spokesman recommends that you sweep the powder into a tiny jar. Use it with a brush dampened with water or a vitamin E spritz as an eyeliner or solid shadow.
Concealer
Shelf life after opening: 12 months.
Tip: If you use your fingers to apply concealer, Bobbi Brown’s spokesman advises that you clean your fingers with a toner first.
Eyeliner
Shelf life after opening: Six months (for liquid eyeliner) to three years.
Tip: Pencil eyeliners last up to three years and should be sharpened regularly. Liquid eyeliners, however, should be kept for only six months.
Brushes
Shelf life: Till the bristles start falling off, which varies according to the quality of the brush.
Tip: Lisa Gaynor, the global product head for Colour Cosmetics at The Body Shop, recommends that brushes be washed once every three weeks. Wash them with a gentle anti-bacterial soap and pat them dry gently. To thoroughly dry, either stand the brushes up on their ends or clip them to a hanger and drip dry.
Foundation
Shelf life after opening: Water-based ones usually last up to 12 months while oil-based ones may last up to 18 months. Oil-based ones inhibit microbial activity better.
Tip: Powder-based foundations keep longer than liquid ones. For powder foundations, Marjorie Lee, the training manager for Estee Lauder, recommends that the face be blotted to remove perspiration and excess oil before touching up with the foundation sponge. Sponges should be washed at least once a week to prevent bacteria from growing, especially in Malaysia’s humid weather.
Lipliner
Shelf life after opening: May be kept for up to three years.
Tip: Don’t use a lipliner if you have cold sores. Sharpening your lipliner regularly goes a long way in preventing bacterial growth.
Lipstick
Shelf life after opening: One year.
Tip: If it smells rancid and its colour has changed, you should throw it out. Because lipsticks are made of wax which melts easily, some brands recommend that you refrigerate the tubes at night to make them last longer during the day. The tiny bubbles of moisture that form on the bullets can be blotted off gently with tissue paper.
Mascara
Shelf life after opening: Six months.
Tip: Germs adhere to the bristles of the sticky wand very easily and the pumping action of the brush pushes bacteria back into the tube where moist conditions encourage them to multiply. Mascaras kept for longer than six months after first usage may cause eye infections.
Moisturiser
Shelf life after opening: Usually 24 months, but it’s best to check the ingredient label to see if the product contains organic minerals and nutrients that degrade quickly.
Tip: Moisturisers that come in jars may be used with a spatula to ensure minimal contact with bacteria.
Nail polish
Shelf life after opening: Two years, depending on how often you open the bottle.
Tip: Seal your bottles tightly as the solvent in nail polish evaporates easily. Also, shake your nail polish from time to time to extend its lifespan. Keep away from heat sources as they can decrease the lifespan of the product rapidly.
Perfume
Shelf life after opening: Not more than two years after first use, says Jean Loy, retail manager of perfume boutique escentials. Fragrances are made from natural essences and these organic molecules will start to degenerate over time, warping the original scent.
Tip: Keep the fragrance in a fridge to prolong its shelf life. Throw it away if it changes colour or causes any skin irritation.
Toner
Shelf life after opening: 12 months.
Tip: If your toner is made completely of organic substances, you should use it within three to six months. To extend shelf life after opening, put it in the fridge.
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