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How Long is Makeup Good for | Makeup Brush Cleaning | Keep Makeup Fresh

Makeup at Gifford- Risley
If you are like me, you have a vast collection of makeup. 

The problem with our beloved makeup is, it doesn't stay good forever. Some items actually have a very short shelf life once they have been opened.

Opened, used makeup can be vulnerable to bacterial growth even though the product contains preservatives. Mascara is most notorious for having a short shelf life. I'm surprised how many people don't realize this.

I had a client come into the salon to have her makeup done. She brought her own mascara for me to use on her. I asked her how old her mascara was. She wasn't sure but said it was at least a couple years old. 

In the trash it went! 

There was no way I would use possibly contaminated mascara on her. It could cause an eye infection. 

Where does mascara contamination come from?

Mascara contamination comes from bacteria, fungi, or Demodex mites from your own self that enter the mascara tube each time you apply the mascara. Most mascara contains water that bacteria can use and begin to multiply. Plus, microbes love the dark environment of the mascara tube.

It is important to keep your makeup as clean as possible as you use it to prevent microbe contamination extending its shelf life a bit longer.

In this post you will find, 
💄a list makeup types and shelf life after they have been opened. 

 💄 a guide to keeping your makeup brushes clean. Clean brushes = healthier makeup.

💄more tips to keep your makeup fresh and clean.

I added some Amazon affiliate links to help you find my favorite products. I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for using them!💋 
How Long is Makeup Good for after opening?

Makeup Shelf Life

Mascara: 3 months after opening

 Cream Blush and Cream Eye Shadows: 6 months after opening

 Concealer: 12 months after opening

 Liquid Foundation: 12 months after opening. Foundations in airless pump bottles will stay fresh longer since they stay very clean without fingers and air touching them.

 Lipstick: 12-18 months after opening

 Lip and Eye Pencils: 3 years (sharpened regularly)

 Powder Shadows and Face Powders: 2-3 years after opening

So How Long is Unopened Makeup Good For?

In general, unopened makeup should stay good for about 3 years. After that, it may start to breakdown, the color may change a bit, and the product may separate.
makeup brushes

Makeup Brushes Care

Makeup brushes can be made of animal hair or synthetic materials. Animal hair brushes used to be the holy grail, but synthetic materials have improved tremendously becoming the desired material for makeup brushes in this cruelty free, vegan, animal friendly world we live in.  

Vegan makeup brushes can be made of synthetic materials such as Taklon, nylon and polyester. Vegan brushes are easy to clean, hold their shape well, are hypoallergenic, and are more affordable than animal hair brushes. 


The following makeup brush cleaning procedure is for all types of makeup brushes.

Your brushes should receive a shampoo about once a week.

You can also use a daily makeup brush cleaner for quick cleaning.
Daily Brush Cleaner
Daily makeup brush cleaner

This elf Daily Brush Cleaner will give your makeup brushes a quick disinfection between uses. Only $5.00 on Amazon!
Ingredients: Alcohol, Water (Aqua), Fragrance (Parfum)


Brushes that were used for liquid or cream makeup should be wiped clean after use. That would be lip, liquid eye liner, foundation and concealer brushes.  

How to Clean Makeup Brushes

Use Mild Soap
 Use a makeup brush cleaner, gentle shampoo or a liquid soap to wash your brushes. It can be an anti-bacterial soap but it is not necessary. The soap will lift oils, makeup and microbes off of the bristles so the can be rinsed away.

elf brush shampoo
elf Brush Shampoo
This effective vegan, cruelty free makeup brush shampoo is a great price! $5.00
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide MEA, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Chloride, Methylparaben.

The Makeup Brush Washing Technique

Use very warm water to wet your makeup brushes.

Apply some brush shampoo to the makeup brush.

Use your fingers to gently work the brush shampoo into the bristles of the makeup brush and lather it up.

Rinse the makeup brush well with very warm water to remove all the brush shampoo. Use your fingers separate the bristles to allow the water to flow through all the bristles. 

It may take more than one shampooing to remove all the makeup residue.

Do not soak your brushes in water. Metal parts may be prone to rust.

 Pat Dry
Pat the makeup brushes dry with a cloth or paper towel and give them a shake to flick excess water. 

 Reshape
Reshape your makeup brushes with your fingers and let them air dry.  

Alcohol Dip
If you have rosacea or suffer from Demodex mite infestations and you want to insure that your brushes are truly mite free, you can dip them in alcohol after shampooing them. The shampooing should remove the mites hiding in your brushes but using a little alcohol will be sure to kill off any fugitive mites. In vitro studies have shown 100% alcohol kills Demodex mites in minutes. You can easily purchase 99% alcohol.

Pour some isopropyl alcohol in a small bowl.
After shampooing and patting your brush dry, dip it in the alcohol.
Allow the excess alcohol to drip off.
Reshape the brush and let it dry.


More Tips to Keep your Makeup Fresh:

Make sure your hands are clean when applying makeup.

Always use clean brushes, cotton swabs, and sponge applicators when dipping into your cosmetics to help keep them clean.

It is especially important to replace your mascara every 3 months because it is so easily contaminated.

Consider using disposable mascara wands to keep your mascara super clean.

If a lipstick or any other cream or liquid makeup doesn't smell right, toss it. Bacteria may be growing and/or the oil ingredients have gone rancid.

Do not store your makeup in anywhere in bathroom. No bathroom vanity, no bathroom closet, and no bathroom medicine cabinet. All the moisture in a bathroom is not good for keeping your makeup fresh.

Store your makeup in a cool dry place in closed container, in a drawer, or in a cabinet. A closed container would be a makeup case, a makeup storage box, or a makeup bag. 

Take advantage of the start of a fresh, new year.  Go shopping for some brand new makeup!



        Have a Beautiful Day! 
xo
Jill
Licensed Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Makeup Artist

PS: Thanks for using my amazon & direct links💋
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. That keeps my blog running and supports the care of animals in need!😸



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