Do You Know Your Makeup Expiration Dates?

April 17, 2009

I have made a pact with myself. Clothes in my closet that haven't been worn in over a year are either going to charity or going up for auction on eBay. And as for my stash of makeup, it's time for a little spring cleaning, too.

As much as I want to prolong the life of that perfect shade of lip gloss, there's probably just too much of a chance that little critters have taken over. Not cool. So, when it comes to your own beauty stockpile, do you know when it's time to say goodbye to certain items? Take my quiz to find out.

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35 Comments

vanityx0kills 2 years 45 weeks

Ah, 2/5. I've had a lot of my makeup for about 2 years. I should throw some stuff out, haha.

Nelly M 3 years 46 weeks

2/5 I did awful :( I read somewhere that you should recycle mascara after 6 months, so it was wrong info i think ;)

Nelly M 3 years 46 weeks

2/5 I did awful :( I read somewhere that you should recycle mascara after 6 months, so it was wrong info i think ;)

zuke 3 years 51 weeks

I usually don't follow these. They seem to vary on where I read them, too. No wonder I was confused!

4 years 1 week

dis freikn quiz wuz stupied!i dint kw it wuz a grade!!!!i though t it was just a oppinion!!god dern!i made a freikn 0 out of 5!0.0!!OMG~

hartsfull 4 years 1 week

lol This figures! I rarely wear makeup! I have stuff from forever ago!

go4it 4 years 4 weeks

i'm sorry, i have to say i think the dates are a way for cosmetic companies to sell more product. i don't wear makeup daily, so i find it totally unnecessary to replace products as often as they recommend. Bacteria grows in everything, and it is most likely there after the first time it comes in contact with your skin, etc.

dragonlady920 4 years 4 weeks

Meh, I only got 2/5. Seriously, the only thing I really try to keep up with is the mascara. Everything else, not so much. I have some eyeshadow from high school that's okay. I spend way too much money on that stuff to toss it out next year!

Beeyewti 4 years 4 weeks

Some of my best nail polish was discontinued last century (c. 1998). I stockpiled the shades, and still get compliments.Then again, I scored 0/5! ;-)

Beeyewti 4 years 4 weeks

Some of my best nail polish was discontinued last century (c. 1998). I stockpiled the shades, and still get compliments. Then again, I scored 0/5! ;-)

Pistil 4 years 4 weeks

Hah, I'm pretty sure I have nail polish 10+ years old. I agree with tossing old mascara, though, for the same reason you shouldn't share it: germies.

greenapplelover 4 years 4 weeks

Wow I overestimated every answer on that quiz. Good think I don't wear too much makeup...

aimeeb 4 years 4 weeks

Pfft I rarely follow these guidelines.

Haethre 4 years 4 weeks

5/5, yes! I really don't think the shelf-life thing is a marketing ploy for those of us who use products regularly. The only thing that could possibly be stretched is eyeshadow, but I think everything else gets kind of goopy and laden with bacteria! better safe than sorry, especially for those of us with sensitive skin/eyes.

Lynn1 4 years 4 weeks

One year for nail polish- ridiculous!!

Nadia24gv 4 years 4 weeks

My covergirl lipgloss says 36 months right on it. Three years wasn't even an option. :(

Calimie 4 years 4 weeks

There's just no way I'd use a mascara in just 3 months. I don't have sensitive eyes so I'll use them until they get weird (or dry up).

la dee da dee 4 years 4 weeks

2/5 yikes! i except for mascara its nice to know htat most last about a year! that's a good investment!

MargaretheH 4 years 4 weeks

omgoodness. 0 out of 5. seriously? I need to weed out my bathroom asap.

simoneymonie 4 years 4 weeks

wow. completely wrong. completely.

nygurl 4 years 4 weeks

nail polish has a shelf life of only 1 year? really? i have some i've hold on to longer and they're perfectly fine.

karrots 4 years 4 weeks

I sorta agree, i think it's a ploy for consumers to buy more. Of course, we have to be careful to clean our brushes every week. I do toss them out once they change consistencies or their color or smell. I just put my own max life on my products! Like 6 months or one year max for mascara. But if I see a change in consistencies, I throw them out. I buy good, expensive products and I expect more from them.

karrots 4 years 4 weeks

me n myself 4 years 4 weeks

1/5, i thought all cosmetics have long selflife, i just knew this, it means all should be tossed..

soapbox 4 years 4 weeks

I have a sensitivity to old mascara. I remember when I was on vacation, I misplaced mine and had to use my moms. Her mascara was about 6 months old and it irritated my eyes to the point where they were red and puffy for a good hour. On another occasion, I borrowed a friend's mascara during a make up emergency and the same thing happened 2 hours after. Turns out her mascara was 4 mos. old. So now, I toss mine out at the 3 month mark.

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