I recently had a clear out of makeup and found some products which I know have been kicking around for more than a couple of years…or, err, maybe since I was at school.
I’d recently bought a labeller for a few pounds (mine is Motex via eBay) to use for organising things in our new house, but I thought I’d also put it to use on my makeup collection. Most cosmetics in the EU are labelled with with an expiration date of sorts, but it is usually just an ‘open pot’ symbol to suggest the life of the product once it is opened. This is great if you have a brilliant memory and can remember when 12 months is up, but I don’t – and it’s also fair to say my makeup collection has grown a bit in the last year, making this even less likely.
So I’ve started to label new products with their opened date to remind me when their number is supposed to be up. It’s very quick to do and, whilst this doesn’t mean I’ll throw them away after that time, at least I’ll know to keep an eye on them and maybe use them up a bit quicker or pass them on to someone who will.
Here’s a rough guide to the lifespan of products. A quick Google will show you these numbers are fairly inconclusive so, as with food, I rely more on my common sense than what the label says. If it smells bad, doesn’t look ‘right’ or the texture has changed it is going in the bin!
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65 Comments
I really think I should start doing this :/
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brilliant idea and great informative post, thanks meg! xx
Great post Meg! This is really useful! x
Great idea with the labels, I’ll have to see if I can pick one up on ebay x
I really enjoyed this post- its super informative :] x
brutalfashionandbeauty.blogspot.co.uk
A great idea! Will definitely be doing this.
http://anishaxoxox.blogspot.co.uk/
Like you said, it’s more common sense as this varies from product to product – I know that it depends on the way you apply it (eg., foundations that use a pump will last a lot longer than those without as very little to no air gets in). Really helpful post, thanks for the reminder!
Gosh, I didn’t realise mascara only lasted 3-6 months! *shamed face*
Great post, Meg. Thank you!
http://www.jocannon.blogspot.co.uk
ooops i have some mac lipsticks older than my little girl :O x
http://lavishlolasbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/
That is such a good idea, and really informative so thank you
It has put me in the mood to go home and be ruthless with my make up! x
great post! i just hoard makeup cos i hate throwing things away, im trying to do a tyle of one-in-one-out method now though!
Great idea! Just goes to show that so many people have so little idea about expiration dates – myself included! Might have to take a leaf out of your book on this one and get myself one of those gadgets.
http://www.anarrangementofnotes.wordpress.com
This is a great post Meg. Great idea to get a label machine to label things with expiration dates! I might look into that myself. xo P.s. I wish you all the very best for your new home, I hope the move goes swiftly and you settle in quickly
xo
I think it’s great that you mention this theme, it’s so important, especially with cream products. My MAC Paint Pot in Painterly just went off
I’ve got makeup (not mascara or foundation) that I’ve had for at least 10 years, and have never had any reactions to it – and still works ok??
great post Meg, so informative and such a great idea!
x
I need to do this……..x
That is such a great idea, but I never through my makeup products aways unless they are completely used up, I know that it’s bad but I’m just way too lazy. Lovely post :)x
This is a really good idea. I always forget when I open my things
xxxx
A Scholar Life
What a fab idea meg!! Jesus, I think I still have makeup lying around from when I was like, 13, eek!!
Think I’ll definitely invest in one of these
xx
oo I loved this post thanks meg
really informative I dread to think what used to be in some of my make up bags! Ive gotten a bit better in the past year or so though! xx
this is such a good idea. probably should have a clear out myself!
http://studsanddreams.blogspot.co.uk/
That’s a really great idea! I should start doing that. I can’t really rely on my memory since it’s a bit on the fritz lately haha.
http://bittenglam.blogspot.ca
This is such a good idea! However, If I did this, I think I would label it with the date its time is up rather than the date you bought it, then you could see more easily when you need to get rid of it?
Just a thought? Such a clever idea!
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This is such a good post, definitely going to bookmark this
So helpful!
xx
http://crookedteethxo.blogspot.co.uk
Great post, i’m definitely going to have a go through my collection and throw out a load of old products!
http://helenrambleson.blogspot.co.uk/
I have one of those things, no idea how to use it though! X
What a handy post! – floralprintgirl.blogspot.co.uk
3-6 months for mascara?! I think I have some sorting out to do xx
Great post! Could you maybe tell me the direct link to the labeller?
I definitely have some make-up at the back of my draw which needs to be sorted or chucked. Great idea and thanks for sharing. I’m off to staples to get a labeller haha.
I checked through all my products not long ago too – I had to throw away so many lovely body butters because I’ve just forgotten I had them! Such a shame. Labelling the date is such a good idea
x
very good post I’m actually going to look into a labeler but i know that I’m gonna go crazy and label everything hahaha taking a screenshot to save this
very good post I’m actually going to look into a labeler but i know that I’m gonna go crazy and label everything hahaha taking a screenshot to save this
Wow this is super organised and a really informative post xx
Such a good idea but I’m worried i’d get addicted to labelling things! haha x
I recently cleaned out my makeup & beauty products stash, but I am pretty sure I still have nail polishes that are open waaaay longer than 2 years!
Such a good idea to clean out! I just wrote a post on this too
This was so useful!
Great post and a great idea! Makes me want to sort out my makeup stash now and have a bit of a clearout I think! x
http://wewereraisedbywolves.blogspot.co.uk/
Such a helpful post! I think I’m going to print our this picture and keep it with my makeup xx
http://alicesstylenotes.blogspot.co.uk/
Ahh I’ve still got makeup from years and years ago, just can’t bare to say goodbye! haha this is so useful! x
jodieolivia.blogspot.co.uk
This is such a helpful post!
It’s just a real bummer that make-up expires so fast!
Xx. http://la-petite-demoiselle.blogspot.be/
Such a helpful post! I really should do this, i get the feeling i have has some of my make up waaaay to long. Ops.
Thanks!
Anna
http://opshopaholic.blogspot.co.nz/
Nice idea! I think I’m going to use this!
Fab post! Must start labelling products too, I have no idea how old some of my makeup is :s
xx
ramblingsofabeautybird.blogspot.co.uk
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Great post! I never really think about expiration dates on my makeup (except mascara, I’m pretty meticulous about that!)…I might have to have a scour and see what I need to throw out!
http://www.thoughtfulsunday.blogspot.co.uk/
xx
Oooh i love Motex labellers. I used to own one but had to hide it as i started to label everything i owned.
Totally helpful post. But i’m not sure i can throw away anything. Maybe there should be a program dedicated to The Makeup Hoarder Next Door. I might be my only chance of fame.
Jules x
http://flabbyface.blogspot.co.uk/
this post has been so helpful! will stop me from hording products too xx
Really good post!
thebeautymist.blogspot.com
Great idea! Although I hate knowing that I might have to throw out a product before its finished, seems like such a waste lol
Thanks for this post Meg! I am terrible at throwing out make up even though I am mindful of the fact that they have expiration dates. Sometimes I’ve spent a lot of money on a product and I can’t bear to throw it out, especially because I have quite a large make up collection that means it’s not very likely that I’ve used something up in a few months xx
such a good idea! I’m a definite product hoarder! x
Hey so I always read this but I never comment. Not real sure how to do this… uh…
I love this post. It’s so important to maintain fresh makeup. People don’t realize that it makes such a difference to skin health, especially if you’re prone to acne and stuff!
I use all-natural/organic skincare and makeup thanks to my esthetician friend, and the expiration is shorter (because of all-natural ingredients) but it changed my skin like crazy.
I’ll give you a link to look at. Please review! Seriously, I’m desperate for an all-natural makeup review. I feel so alone now that I’ve abandoned NARS and MAC. Everyone reviews just those brands, it feels like!
http://www.glymedplus.com/store/index/category/44/healthy-skin-makeup
but yeah, I’ve always loved your blog! xox
Brilliant idea, Meg. I just usually keep things until they look or smell off. Then I toss them.
Good idea! X
Great idea with the labels! I hope you don’t mind, but I saved the expiry guidelines pic on my laptop, just for my own use! x
Thats such a cool idea! Makes the makeup packaging look personalised too. The image with the legnth of time a product lasts is really helpful too.
getbeautyblogging.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you, this is really helpful!
Thank you, this is really helpful!
Such a good post. Time to get my clean freak on x
http://www.beautyrambles.com
Hi! Can I use your image with the makeup guidelines on my blog? I will credit you! Thanks!
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