It’s that time of year again – the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing; spring has sprung! It’s time for out with the old, and in with the new – when it comes to your makeup routine that is. Most women are more than ready to put aside the earthy tones of the winter months to make room for the pastels that are generally a hit when the weather warms up. But before you make the switch, it’s a good idea to spring clean your makeup cabinet to rid yourself of the bacteria-infested eye shadows and foundations of old. Do you know what’s lurking in your makeup bag? And more importantly, do you know when to toss and what to keep? There are a few easy guidelines you can follow to ensure that your makeup is clean and contaminant free.

Follow that Shelf Life

Just like food, most makeup items have a shelf life, and adhering to it through an annual spring cleaning will ensure that the substances you put on your face are safe and healthy. Eye products are usually the biggest concern, since the use of outdated items can lead to potential eye infections. (They will generally not make you blind, however, contrary to what your grandmother used to tell you!) Mascaras should be tossed after three to four months, and cream eye shadows should only stick around for six to nine months. The powder varieties can last longer – up to a year or two in most cases, although some of those colors might go out of style much sooner! Eye liner pencils can last as long as three years, as long as they are sharpened regularly.

When it comes to spring cleaning foundations, you need to see what the base ingredient is in the makeup before you determine the shelf life of your product. If it is water-based, it will only last up to a year, but an oil-based foundation can be stretched to about eighteen months of use. It is also a good idea to replace your concealer every year, and your powder every two years. Powder blushes can also last a year or more, but cream blushes should be thrown out after about half that time. Tanning products and sun screens only work for a season, and then you cannot completely trust their effectiveness any more. Cleansers also usually last about a year.

Lipsticks and nail polishes will last a year, and even longer if they are stored in the refrigerator. Lip liners can go as long as three years. If you notice a color change in any of these makeup products, however, it is best not to use them any longer. You don’t want to take the chance of sporting rust-colored nails that were supposed to be red, and strange-colored lips can be a scary sight indeed! It is also wise to toss items that don’t smell right or have changed in texture or consistency as you spring clean that cabinet.

A general rule that is always wise to follow is, “When in doubt, throw it out.” Toss items that look or smell funny in any way. Keep in mind that these products can begin to harbor bacteria, and you do not want to run the risk of putting those icky germs on your face! Spring cleaning is more than washing curtains and beating rugs. A good check through your makeup supply will keep your products up to date and your skin healthy. Happy cleaning!

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