Use It or Lose It!

Hello, my name is Quinn and I'm a product junkie. I love makeup, skincare, nail polish, and hair products and am always researching and purchasing new products. I have quite the collection and am in the process of figuring out the best way to store everything so that every product gets it's day in the sun (and isn't a total waste of money). As I sort through my bounty of treasure and attempt to organize everything, I've come to the realization that I have to let some of my cosmetics go. Not because I no longer want them or have no "need" for them, but for health/safety reasons.

Did you know that cosmetics, hair products, and skin care products expire just like food? Some products actually have their shelf life printed on them in the form of a little jar symbol with the number of months it's good for on it. While that information is really helpful, I find that because I do purchase different products quite often, I have a hard time remembering when I bought stuff and then have no idea if I should keep it or toss it. So I bought some little circular labels and whenever I bring something home, I simply write the month and year on the label and affix it to my new acquisition. I do this for EVERYTHING now, but I had to do a little research to find out how long to keep items that don't come with the handy dandy shelf life info. And now I'm going to share my research with you!

Perfume is good for up to 3 years, and maintains its scent and color best if you store it in a cool, dry place.

Sunscreen is good for 2 to 3 years, but often times there is a shelf life listed on it, so make sure to check it.

Body lotion and Shampoo and Conditioner are good for about 2 to 3 years. Try to avoid getting water from the shower or bath in the containers, as it can breed nasty bacteria.

Deodorant is good for about 2 years before it loses its potency.

Blush, Face Powder, Lipstick, and Lipgloss are all good for 2 years. Using clean brushes and applicators EVERY TIME will ensure that your products do not become festering grounds for bacteria.

Foundation can be used for up to 2 years.

Nail Polish is good for up to a year (but there are different methods you can use to extend the life of your polish if you'd like).

Antiaging and Acne Treatments can be good for between 3 months to a year before their active ingredients lose their effectiveness.

Natural Beauty Products are good for up to 6 months.

Mascara  the shortest shelf life and needs to be tossed 3 months after opening to avoid eye infections.


These guidelines are not gospel; if something looks or smells different or funny, it's always better to be safe than sorry, so go ahead and throw it out. Storing your products in a cool, dry place and ALWAYS using clean and sanitized utensils will increase the longevity of a lot of your beauty necessities. Also, finding somewhere other than your bathroom to store things like makeup brushes and even your razors is a good move over all; the constant steam from bathing can cause those items to spawn various bacterium as well.

I hope you find this informative and helpful. I now have the task of rummaging through my beloved stash, and letting some of my oldies (and formerly goodies) go. Sigh. I guess I can look at it, not so much as letting stuff go, but more like making room for new stuff! Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q