Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping and finally the sun has decided to show face, which can only mean one thing – spring is in the air. The new season is the perfect time to clean up and de-clutter the house but also acts as a timely reminder that your beauty stash may also need an overhaul.
Beauty can be a dirty business and it almost always slips under the radar when it comes time to clean. However, it turns out that foundation you should’ve biffed ages ago, that favourite mascara you can’t face replacing and those make-up brushes you’re too lazy to clean, may be doing more harm than good. Taking the time to spruce up your beauty essentials will not only lengthen the life of your favourites but also help keep your skin bacteria free.
We consulted the experts for the lowdown on the shelf life of our favourite staples and tips for keeping our beauty tools in pristine condition.
Do beauty products expire?
In a relatively unregulated beauty market like New Zealand where expiry dates are not mandatory, it’s difficult to distinguish when a product should be given the toss. The fact of the matter is that they do expire and continued use could cause a whole host of problems from bacterial infections and breakouts to redness and rashes.
Clint Dowdell, global brand ambassador at Nude by Nature, says to look to the Period After Opening (PAO) symbol for guidance – a small open jar with a number and the letter ‘M’ in it. This symbol indicates the number of months the product can be safely used for. “It’s important to make a note of when the item was purchased in order to assess when a replacement is necessary,” he cautions.
Dowdell recommends adhering to the below guidelines as a general rule of thumb:
Foundation: 6-12 months. Handy tip: powder formulas are less likely to become contaminated so generally last longer than liquid foundations.
Try: Nude by Nature Natural Mineral Cover Foundation
Lipsticks and glosses: Six – 12 months
Eye make-up (mascara, liner and eye shadow): Three months - these have the shortest life span as the risk of infection is high in the eye region.
The above aside, “if in doubt, throw it out,” suggests Dowdell. “Always look out for a change in texture or smell,” he adds.
So, what about perfume?
Unlike make-up, the shelf life of fragrance isn’t quite as clear cut. Some scents can go off in under a year whereas others can pack some pretty decent mileage – it all depends on the alcohol content, base notes and storage. When it comes to longevity, perfumers recommend keeping fragrance out of direct sunlight and storing in a cool, dry place such as a lingerie drawer or bedside cabinet. The best way to assess perfume expiry is through a smell test – if it smells different from its original form it’s most likely off.
Cleaning tips and tricks
The dangers lurking in an unsuspecting beauty bag are alarming; with the average bag containing approximately six different types of bacteria – all which could be significantly reduced through regular cleaning. Dowdell recommends cleaning your brushes at least once a week, depending on your skin type, how regularly you use them and what you use them for.
- Run your brushes under lukewarm water to remove residual product build-up. Take care to avoid fully submerging the brush in water as this can cause bristles to separate from the body of the brush.
- Once the water runs clear, put the brushes into a bowl of warm water with a squirt of gentle shampoo or professional brush cleanser. “Opt for a simple, preferably paraben and sulphate free formula if using a shampoo,” says Dowdell. “Don’t use one designed for coloured hair as this will be too strong,” he adds.
- Massage the mixture into the bristles for about one minute then rinse out.
- Squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible then reshape as needed and leave to try. It’s important to let your brushes dry naturally so they retain their shape. It’s best to leave them on a flat surface with heads hanging over the edge of a table.
Brushes aside, don’t forget to clean your other beauty tools especially those used around the eye like eyelash curlers and tweezers.
Storage
When it comes to lengthening the life of your beauty staples, storage is key, advises Lidean Erasmus, boutique manager. “Humidity and heat can see cosmetics deteriorate faster, particularly those with active ingredients,” she says. Erasmus advises storing products in a cool and dark area and take extra care not to leave liquid formulas in the car for long periods of time.
Try: Fleur - Hanging Washbag or MOR
