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