Tippin Thursday: When It's Time To Say Good-Bye

Everything has an expiration date, even your make-up and skincare products.  Here are some general guideline to help you know when it's time to let it go:

The general rule of thumb is that if any of your cosmetics or skincare items being to look like this:

*product separation

*sour or odd odor

*change in texture-uncommonly thick, grainy or watery

it's time to give it the toss.  But something's last longer than others, so here's are some ways to know when things have gone bad or if there's still some life left:

*Lipsticks and other products that don't contain water, like powders, powdered eyeshadow, concealer, and pencils that can be sharpened, can last two years or even more, but definitely keep a close eye on them and throw them out if something funky is up.

*Mascara has the shortest shelf life of all cosmetics.  NEVER keep an open tube for more than four months, and toss it out immediately if it develops a weird odor or color.

*For liquid or gel eyeliners, lipglosses, cream shadows and iquid or cream foundations, it's pretty much the same four month rule.  Because of the "water" factor in them, they can potentially become a breeding ground for bacteria, so it's time to say buh-bye after four months.  Foundations can last up to a year if you keep your fingers away from the bottle.  Instead, pour a little bit out onto a sponge or onto the back of your hand and apply with a foundation brush.

*Multi-use products, like 3-in-1 sticks and creams, can spread germs from lips to eyes and cheeks.  Wipe the surface clean before switching areas and toss after 6 months.

*Cleansers and moisturizers often contain fatty acids, which can go bad fast!  Kick 'em to the curb after 6 months.

*A good way to give your make-up a longer life is by using clean brushes and keeping your fingers away.  A quality brush will last you years if properly cleaned and stored.  Brushes should be cleaned at least once a month in a warm water and shampoo solution.  I've found that clarifying shampoo works best because it deep cleans without stripping the fibers.  Some brushes will need to be cleaned more often depending on how often they're used and what they're used for, like concealer and foundation brushes-they can get gunked up faster, so should be cleaned more often.  To dry, lay a towel flat and roll up one end inward, then lay your brushes with the handles on the rolled end, bristles tiled at a slightly downward angle.