NATURAL BEAUTY
INSPIRATIONAL BEAUTY COACH AND AUTHOR SHELLY BALLESTERO
TELLS YOU
HOW TO GET GORGEOUS INSIDE AND OUT |
 |
WHEN BEAUTY GOES BAD: HOW TO SPRING-CLEAN YOUR MAKEUP CABINET
According to the FDA, cosmetics aren’t required by law to have expiration dates. Old makeup is a breeding ground for bacteria, and yet how many of us have mascara or lipstick or even foundation from years ago? Even though health-conscious companies are voluntarily adding expiration dates to their packaging, a product’s safety may go bad long before the designated date if it hasn’t been stored properly. In fact, cosmetics that are exposed to high temperatures or sunlight or are opened and examined by consumers prior to purchase may substantially deteriorate before the expiration date. All makeup starts out with a little bacteria in it from the get-go. Then once you open it, airborne bacteria swarms in. Add the bacteria from your hands and an applicator, and you’ve got a war against your aging makeup—even though it’s got preservatives in it to stave off the infiltration (and sorry, germs still get in no matter how gentle and clean you are when using it). It’s a losing battle. (As a side note, I only wear makeup made with plant-based preservatives.)
How long can we keep our cosmetics and skincare products, and is there a way to extend their shelf life to protect ourselves from infections like pink eye and skin breakouts?
Here’s the beauty breakdown:
Liquid foundation lasts three to six months.
Cream foundation can last four to six months. Foundation in a
pump dispenser will last a little longer because it is less exposed to air than jar foundation. If foundation has a higher percentage of pigment, such as mineral powder makeup, then you have a year to two years. Quick tip: Use a disposable applicator and the front of your hand as a palette.
Concealer has a shelf life of six to eight months, sometimes more depending on the ingredients.
Powders, including eye shadows and blush, last one to two years.
Mascara lasts for three months. Never pump your mascara, as air just pushes back into the tube. Clean your wand with tissue every couple of days to help prevent clumping.
Lip gloss and
lipstick have a shelf life of one year.
Eye and
lip pencils will stay fresh over a year with continued sharpening. You’ll know when it has gone bad if it crumbles.
Facial cleansers and
moisturizers are good for about six months, unless these products have acids in them like glycolic acid, salicylic acid and beta hydroxyl acid—then they will have a longer shelf life. Try putting
eye cream in the fridge—it makes tired eyes feel alive and it keeps it out of the heat. Quick tip: If you don’t want to keep it in the fridge with your food, get a cosmetic fridge. Check out www.frontgate.com or www.amazon.com and search for “cosmetic cooler.”
Facial toner should be thrown away after one year, but if it has vitamin C in it, the nutrients can lose potency before a year.
Sunscreens need to be tossed within a year.
Natural
body washes last for six months.
Brushes should be washed regularly, as often as once a week, with mild soap and warm water, or you can use a spray brush cleaner. You can also use alcohol—it’s a little harsh, but it works for emergencies. Good brushes are expensive, so if you want to protect your investment, pick up The Brush Guard (www.thebrushguard.com).
Makeup sponges need to be cleaned after every use. Toss within one to two months, or when the sponges show wear and tear. For longer-lasting sponges, Beautyblender (www.beautyblender.net) is an excellent choice. Shaped like a teardrop, it’s nontoxic, odor-free, latex-free and lasts up to four months. You could also try a flock sponge, an inexpensive and productive tool from Jane Iredale (www.janeiredale.com) that lasts three to four months or longer, or the Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge (www.target.com), which also lasts three to four months.
According to Annette Green of the Fragrance Foundation, your
perfume should last from six months to a year. Storing it in the fridge does not extend the life of a fragrance. In fact, it can disrupt the balance of the perfume and eau de parfum. However,
aftershave and
cologne may be chilled.
Sharing makeup heightens the risk for infection because it increases the risk of contamination. Don’t do it! And speaking of sharing, how about those testers located at department store cosmetic counters? I used to work at a popular cosmetic counter 15 years ago, and procedures have not changed much. It’s hard to keep your eyes on the cosmetic counter when people constantly stick their hands in the makeup and try it on without asking for help. Please be careful at the counters and make sure pencils are sharpened and tools are used when makeup is applied.
A little common sense goes a long way: Wash your hands before applying makeup and skincare products to prevent the spreading of bacteria, keep lids firmly screwed on and use spatulas or Q-tips for products in a jar.
These general guidelines can help keep you safe and give you confidence when purchasing and preserving products. And remember, like the old saying goes: When in doubt, throw it out—especially if there’s no date.
REFERENCES
Medical College of Wisconsin (
www.healthlink.mcw.edu and
www.healthlink.mcw.edu/article/975513403.html)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health (
www.4woman.gov/faq/cosmetics-your-health.cfm#3)
Sephora (
www.sephora.com)
| Pick up a copy of Shelly’s book Beauty by God: Inside-Out Secrets for Every Woman ($10.87, www.amazon.com). |
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Shelly serves as an inspirational beauty coach, aesthetician/makeup artist and beauty expert columnist for CBN.com, Beautiful One Magazine
, Christian Women Online, Sheer Balance and On Course
magazine. She is also the author of Beauty by God: Inside-Out Secrets for Every Woman. Shelly’s career has ranged from subtle face makeovers to painting bold murals on buildings. She is a graduate of the prestigious International Academy. Shelly also holds certifications as a nutritional consultant and herbalist, and she’s a graduate of one of the top makeup schools in the industry, Joe Blasco. Shelly lives in Florida with her husband, Angelo Ballestero, and their two sons.
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