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Make up use by dates

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
How long does eye shadow last for? When should I throw it away?

I've got a palette that includes beige, brown, pale teal and dark teal by Clinique. I can't remember when I opened it which probably means it was ages ago. I can't find a suitable replacement though.

I always throw mascara away regularly (especially important as a contact lens wearer).

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Also if anyone can suggest a suitable replacement that would be great :)

    Looking on Make Up Alley it seems this is a product from 2003 but I remember that my friend gave it to me then I kept it unopened for a few years as I already had open eye shadow. It was a gift with purchase that she didn't like.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I was once told that eyeshadow is ok to hang on to for around 2 years i think its the same for lipstick, foundations and concealers around 12 to 18 months but mine never last that long i suppose i am a fairly heavy user of them. Mascara is the dodgy one i was told off for adding water to one that had dried out i believe you should replace every 3 months.
    Having said that i have eyeshadows that must be 4 or 5 years old :shocking:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yeah I think this one might be a similar age.

    I think I'm going to make a spread sheet of dates that I can update when I open new make up so in future I know the age.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    an easier way is to put a little label on them so you know how long they have been open for. I would say 24 months + for eyeshadows/powder blushes/anything else powdery, Lipsticks 12-18 months (because if you use them direct from the bullet they can become a bacteria breeding ground. Mascara like you guys said, its really not something you want to be using after 3 months.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Apart from mascara, I never throw anything away unless it is obviously gross. Even then I try and just scrape a layer of eyeshadow or lipstick off the top to try and get the bad bits off.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I can't believe people throw mascara away I just use mine until it runs out then buy another one, I do use it every day so I'm guessing i don't really have a tube open for months and months. but iv never thrown any anyway and never had any eye infections etc. never knew!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I've always been told that mascara was the worst, because its a liquid (of sorts), and eyes have about the same number of bateria as your nose or vagina...aparently!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Miss_Riot wrote: »
    I've always been told that mascara was the worst, because its a liquid (of sorts), and eyes have about the same number of bateria as your nose or vagina...aparently!

    but it's not like you're sharing a mascara with a whole load of other people, it's only going on your eyes? iv never had an eye infection but if I did I'd throw my mascara away and get a new one but until then I'd rather get my wear out of it! especially as they can be quite expensive. sorry I know you haven't made up the actual rule but I just think it sounds daft hehe.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yeah, I find mine normally dry out after 3-6 months anyway so I'll get rid of them (because nothing is going to really sort out a dried up mascara). It is a little daft in terms of personal use (and even when I use a clean disposable wand everytime), but I woudn't want to keep a mascara much longer than 6 months at the longest.
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