Beauty Editor’s Note
According to the calendar, spring has finally sprung. When the seasons change I often think about refreshing, renewing, and tossing many things, among them, my expired beauty products. I thought I would revisit a topic I previously touched on in my January 2022 post “New Year New Beauty: 3 Tips to Get Started.” You might want to bookmark this post for future reference. Happy spring! Try something fresh and new! Dana
Table of Contents
“Generally if properly stored in a cool, dry place most unopened and completely sealed makeup should last 2 to 3 years”
~Healthline
Cosmetics
Mascara
3 Months: It is very important to keep your eye makeup hygienic as possible. No one wants an eye infection. When you pull the mascara wand out of its tube you should hear a popping sound. If you don’t, that means that too much air has gotten into the product and could potentially lead to bacteria growth. Air can also dry mascara out a lot faster. If you buy your mascaras in sets, they can last unopened 12 to 18 months.
Eyeshadow/Eye Pencils
6 Months: If you ever have an eyeshadow palette break on you, I know it’s heartbreaking but I recommend that you throw it out. It’s too much paperwork to put it back together and that allows for more bacteria to grow.
Lipsticks/Glosses
6 to 9 Months: If they have a funky rancid crayon smell throw them out immediately.
Foundation/Blush (cream version)
9 Months
Foundation/Blush (powder version)
9 to 12 Months: According to Mayo Clinic Health System, powder makeup can last up to 2 years if stored properly without any moisture. See the link provided at the end of the post for more details.
Skin Care Unopened
2 Years: Upon opening it you may have 6 months to a year tops. Products containing active ingredients like aha/bhas, retinols, retinol derivatives, and hyaluronic acid can get stronger or weaker based on the age of the product once it’s opened. So please be diligent in this area as well.
Hair Care Products
Shampoo/Conditioners
2 to 18 Months: This guide is for non aerosol products.
Dry Shampoos/Texturizing Sprays
These are aerosol-based products and can tend to last a little longer because they’re not exposed to air as much according to hair.com.
Styling Products For Hair Unopened
3 Years: After opening, one year.
Final Thoughts
These guidelines should be helpful to you when cycling out your beauty products. It is very important to pay attention to expiration dates on products and take note of them.
You will have more longevity in your products if you store them properly. I am not a fan of keeping makeup in the bathroom. For one it’s not a good idea and secondly it is exposed to moisture. Store your makeup in a cool dry place. I have storage closets and containers where I keep unopened products. I always say I have a beauty store and people may come to me to find out if I have certain things lol.
Remember nothing lasts forever except maybe fruit cake. Unopened makeup can possibly last a year, maybe up to three years, that is if it is stored properly.
Develop a labeling system so you can keep track of when you opened a product. For example, high contrast tape used with a shopping marker bump dots or braille, whatever works for you.
Beauty products can be an investment for some people. I recommend a good foundation if you are a foundation wearer or an equivalent like a BB / CC cream. Try things in sample sizes first to get a feel to see if you like them regardless of what product category it fits into. Spend your beauty dollars wisely.
Related links
By Dana Hinnant, Beauty Editor
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Connecting With Dana Hinnant
- dhinnant@bolddblindbeauty.com
Connecting With Bold Blind Beauty
Author Bio
Dana Hinnant, a Washingtonian native, whose journey into the beauty industry began 20 years ago after receiving her B.A. in Hearing and Speech Sciences from the University of Maryland in 2000. She received her aesthetics training at Von Lee International School of Esthetics in Baltimore, MD.
Dana started as a local makeup artist and events coordinator with Alluring Looks, Inc. in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Her articles were featured in local publications such as Pose Magazine and Yndigo newsletter. In the mid-2000s, she was a volunteer instructor with the American Cancer Society’s Look Good…Feel Better program, which landed her an esthetician position at an area day spa.
Over the past several years, Dana has worked with various non-profit organizations and small businesses. During her tenure as the President of the Health and Wellness division of the National Federation of the Blind DC affiliate, she utilized the platform to provide salon safety tips and skincare advice throughout the community. She was a consultant with the Ecumenical Health Council in Port Towns, MD doing beauty and wellness presentations at area churches and events.
In 2019, Dana received the Maryland Association of Community Service Award for Volunteer of the Year due to her community engagement work for The Arc of Prince George’s County. In addition, she also received the Volunteer of the Year award for 2020 from The Arc of Maryland. She is a member and an ambassador with the Professional Beauty Association. Dana is one of the co-owners of Capitol Collective Consulting LLC which launched in April 2021.
Image Descriptions
- Header and additional image are both assorted makeup products, cosmetics, and beauty tools on white backgrounds.
- Author bio photo is a headshot of Dana wearing a black scoop neck top under a black jacket. She has glowing caramel colored skin and short dark hair.