It's the beginning of another year and as echoes of "Out with the old and in with the new" mark the occasion, it's time to put your beauty assemblage under the microscope. If expiry dates, mould and the occasional lump in last year's mascara don't faze you, consider this: Germs and micro-organisms growing on expired or contaminated cosmetics and it's utensils can lead to serious skin infections, unsightly finishes and a serious lack of space.
Of course, deciding whether to save or toss a favourite beauty companion (like your trusty broken-in loofah - never mind the mould) can be difficult. But protecting your health and leaving room for more should always take precedence. To save yourself the anxiety, make the cleaning out of cosmetic drawers and bathroom cabinets a habit for your skin's sake. So fill yourself in on how to tell if various cosmetics and utensils are destined for the bin - with or without the help of expiry dates. And, before you let the bleakness of the aftermath get you down, make a list to stock up for the coming year!
Make-up, no matter how expensive does not last forever. When a product is opened, misuse and age overloads it with bacteria. Once you've identified those colours that have passed their prime - and ones that have long expired - here are some things to consider.
Liquid Foundation
Life span: Two to three years
Letting go: Separation of oil and water content, change in smell, colour and texture. The product may not spread as fluidly as before and clumps may appear.
Verdict: If you need foundation, use oil-free ones as they provide sheer and natural finishes when applied with a damp sponge. Otherwise, skip foundation altogether and use a light-based concealer instead. In any event, check if they're 'non-comedogenic' - these don't clog pores.
Powder Blush
Life span: Three-plus years
Letting go: While liquid formulations contaminate easily, powders manage to remain relatively bacteria-free. But, once it starts to crumble or change in colour, chuck it.
Verdict: Throw it out anyway. Liquid blush is much more blendable, dewy and natural!
Powder Foundation (both pressed and loose)
Life span: Three-plus years
Letting go: Similar to blush, the crumbling, change in colour and glazing (oils from face make it shiny, hard to pick up) of powder foundation mark its expire.
Verdict: A good powder sets your make-up, creating a shine-free and even complexion. Invest in a new one.
Mascara
Life span: Three to four months
Letting go: The shelf life for eye cosmetics is more limited due to the sensitivity of the area. Discard mascara when it becomes dry and clumpy or if application causes irritation and redness.
Verdict: Opt for the more natural approach with clear, conditioning and clmup-free brow and eyelash gel.
Eyeliner (pencil/kohls)
Life span: Two to three years
Letting go: Dustiness on the nib, change in smell, and crumbling of the nib at the slightest pressure are signs of expire. Any further usage may cause tiny blisters on rim of eyelids.
Verdict: Sharpen pencils to remove contamination or dust before each use just to be safe.
Liquid Eyeliner
Life span: Six to twelve months
Letting go: Note any change in smell, dryness ans crustiness of eyeliner when applied.
Verdict: Old liquid liner might be used to turn (un-popped) pimples into moles. Otherwise, lose it!
Lipstick
Life span: Two to three years for regular lipstick, but eigthteen months for 'moisturizing formulas.
Letting go: Melting, rancid smell and difficult application.
Verdict: You're better off with SPF-armed ones. In the meantime, gather unwanted and broken-off sticks to be reused. Mix with other colours and petroleum jelly before placing it in a beauty palette (those with lids) to form a customised collection.
Nail Polish
Life span: Four to six months
Letting go: When nail polish goes bad, it thickens, making it unable to spread well on nails. You'll also find yourself having to dip wands and shake the bottles more often during application.
Verdict: Before chucking out gunk-ridden nail polish, consider dousing its remains with thinner for a new lease of life. Add in small amounts to polish, shake and test before adding more.
Utensils
As essential tools, beauty utensils are constantly submerged in the job and later exposed to free radicals in the surrounding air, so throw them out at the slightest hint of expiration, before they contaminate your personal space.
Sponges and Puffs
Life span: Replace every six to eight weeks
Letting go: Stock up when sponge's corners begin to look tattered or when you find it difficult to remove excess make-up residue.
Verdict: Wash and store sponges in their own small plastic container in your make-up bag after every use.
Make-up Brushes
Life span: Eight to twelve months
Letting go: With regular use, the bair on make-up brushes may become coarse, making even application challenging. If conditioning doesn't work, forget it.
Verdict: Do not use bleach, it will only eat away at the bristles.
Loofahs
Life span: Six to eight months
Letting go: It's best to throw loofahs out when moulds appear, before it spreads. In extreme cases, loofahs may get slimy - don't wait that long.
Verdict: As the only plant known to be raised and used as a sponge, loofah sponges will last longer if washed and allowed to dry weekly. Clean your loofah by rinsing it in clean water and then soak it in a solution of bleach and water before drying it in the sun.
Body Care
Skin care products aim to rejuvenate and cleanse, but solutions that go bad - when not properly sealed or applied with dirty hands - cause just the opposite to take place. Some items misbehave more than others.
Sun Care
Life span: A year or so, depending on how often it's used
Letting go: Sun care products can go bad quickly and e unusable the folllowing year because of the fact that we use them outdoors, on the beach and near the sea. With sand-encrusted lids left open, they are likely to get dirt in them.
Verdict: Try using spray-on sun block or sun sticks for easier application and less chances of contamination.
Deodorants
Life span: One to two years
Letting go: Very old fragances can also go bad. This is especially so for non-atomiser versions, because the liquid content often comes into contact with your skin during use.
Verdict: Switch to dry-sticks. Not only do they last longer, but they also leave a silky, powdered after-effect instead of the wet, sticky ones that liquid deodorants are infamous for.
Moisturizers
Life span: One to three years
Letting go: Old moisturisers may display a separation of oil and water, faded colours or a change in smell.
Verdict: If your moisturiser isn't light-weight and water based or doesn't contain SPF20, purchase one that does and store it in the fridge. This ensures a longer shelf life and an added boost to your morning or night regimes.
Toners
Life span: Three-plus years
Letting go: Most toners contain alcohol, a bacteria-inhibitor, and are usually scented and clear. Should its scent change, cloudiness occur, or solids gather at the bottom, throw it.
Verdict: Applying toners with cotton wool minimises contamination both on your skin and in bottles.
Cleansers
Life span: One to three years
Letting go: Foaming solutions tend to last longer than non-foaming ones. With that in mind, note for changes in smell or cloudiness of content (if in a see-through bottle) and facial rashes.
Verdict: To prevent confusion, contamination and product waste, be religious with your cleansers and use them to the last drop. This will save you both money and your skin the trouble of having to grow accustomed to different cleansing solutions. Pointers to shorten clean-up time - the sooner it's over, the faster you can head to the shops to re-stock!
You should spend some time examining and sniffing everything else; if anything appears off, toss it. It'll also be wise to mark the month and year bought on remaining containers - and subsequent purchases - with a waterproof pen to make your job easier next time round. If you have not used something in the past six months, it's unlikely you will again, so chuck it.
