Wednesday, July 13, 2011
5 COMMON EXCUSES FOR NOT THROWING AWAY OLD MAKEUP
(AND HOW TO FIX THEM)
1. You say: I don’t remember when I bought it, but this blush doesn’t have an expiration date on it. So, I can still keep it!
Reality: Yes, makeup does expire – even if it doesn’t say so. If you live in Europe, EU requires expiration dates on cosmetics, however, for us Americans, most products don’t even have the same regulations. Still, there are a couple of ways that you can find out when your product could expire.
- One is by finding a ‘batch code’ on the packaging box. A batch code usually looks unrecognizable containing letters and numbers (i.e., “0ZA25”). You can go on CheckCosmetic.net where you type in the batch code and locate the expiration date of the product. The website does not include all brands, but they do list popular makeup brands like, MAC, L’Oreal, and even NYX.
- Two is by looking at this little symbol of a jar with a number in the middle. This symbol is usually located on the back of the product. The number indicates the number of months that this product will expire from the day you bought it (i.e., 24 = 24 months from now, the foundation will expire). This symbol isn’t as accurate as the batch code but more or less, it’s still something.
2. You say: Yeah, the lipstick does taste kind of funky, but the expiration date says it’s okay to keep using it.
Reality: Wearing expired makeup damages the skin since you may be prone to infections from those yucky germs. Even if the expiration date doesn’t say it has expired yet, it’s better to be on the safe side when the product has an off colour/texture or tastes funky. Keep track of expiration dates by marking your makeup of when you think they will expire. The marked up date will constantly remind you on when to toss away that makeup. Yes, it makes the packaging look ugly, but your face will thank you.
3. You say: I love this blue eyeshadow colour, maybe I’ll use it when the right occasion comes up.
Reality: If you haven’t touched it (let alone remove the plastic packaging), then maybe you really don’t love the blue colour. If you’re not certain on whether or not you’ll be using that particular item, you should definitely throw it away. Prolonging the tossing will just make you feel guiltier and possibly keep even more items on your shelf just because you ‘might use them.’
4. You say: This mascara costs a fortune! Throwing it away is like tossing cash into the trash.
Reality: You’ll probably end up spending even more money on buying storage for your old cosmetics than the cosmetics alone. Also, if you get an infection, taking a trip to the dermatologist will cost way more than that Dior mascara. So, you’re actually saving more money when you’re tossing away that old makeup. Yay!
5. You say: I can’t throw it away – this is my favourite eyeliner!
Reality: Combining all the above excuses, you just can’t seem to part way with your favourite eyeliner or other favourite beauty product. Though we like to say certain products are our favourites, makeup companies come up with new items almost every three months! It’ll be hard to try new products if you keep that old eyeliner of yours. Even the adage rings true for makeup, ladies, “out with the old, in with the new.”
______________________________________________________________________________
SHELF LIFE OF COSMETICS
What happens when the beauty product doesn’t even indicate a little numbered jar or batch code? Don’t fret, here are some general tips that can guide you on when to throw away that makeup. (Remember, these are just rules of thumb, meaning that these are general guidelines on when makeup normally expire). (Source)
- Powder: 2 years.
- Foundation: 6 months
- Pencil Eyeliner: 2 years (remember to sharpen every so often!).
- Gel/Liquid Eyeliner: 3 months
- Mascara: 3 months
- Lipstick/gloss: 2 years
______________________________________________________________________________
ALTERNATIVES FOR OLD MAKEUP
Feeling a bit disheartened when throwing away makeup? You don’t need to follow the conventional way. Here are a few alternatives that might make you feel better instead of tossing it straight to the trash.
1. Recycle old makeup.
Thanks to the Return to Origins Recycling Program, you can recycle any empty cosmetic packaging (regardless of the brand) to Origins and they will help you recycle it. In addition, if you’re a MAC lover, swap six (6) empty MAC containers to get a free MAC lipstick (colour of your choice)! Click here to see the program. So, empty away the liquids, creams, etc. and feel good about yourself while also benefiting the environment.
2. Create beautiful pieces of artwork.
Since applying makeup is considered a beauty art form, why not transfer that art form to paper? Use your old makeup as ways to produce art on paper, whether it may be to draw or paint with mascara, blush, and yes even concealer! Karl Lagerfeld’s been known to use Shu Uemura nail polishes to draw sketches and Hong Kong Beauty Guru, BeautyQQ often uses old makeup to draw portraits.
______________________________________________________________________________
(AND HOW TO FIX THEM)
1. You say: I don’t remember when I bought it, but this blush doesn’t have an expiration date on it. So, I can still keep it!
Reality: Yes, makeup does expire – even if it doesn’t say so. If you live in Europe, EU requires expiration dates on cosmetics, however, for us Americans, most products don’t even have the same regulations. Still, there are a couple of ways that you can find out when your product could expire.
- One is by finding a ‘batch code’ on the packaging box. A batch code usually looks unrecognizable containing letters and numbers (i.e., “0ZA25”). You can go on CheckCosmetic.net where you type in the batch code and locate the expiration date of the product. The website does not include all brands, but they do list popular makeup brands like, MAC, L’Oreal, and even NYX.
- Two is by looking at this little symbol of a jar with a number in the middle. This symbol is usually located on the back of the product. The number indicates the number of months that this product will expire from the day you bought it (i.e., 24 = 24 months from now, the foundation will expire). This symbol isn’t as accurate as the batch code but more or less, it’s still something.
2. You say: Yeah, the lipstick does taste kind of funky, but the expiration date says it’s okay to keep using it.
Reality: Wearing expired makeup damages the skin since you may be prone to infections from those yucky germs. Even if the expiration date doesn’t say it has expired yet, it’s better to be on the safe side when the product has an off colour/texture or tastes funky. Keep track of expiration dates by marking your makeup of when you think they will expire. The marked up date will constantly remind you on when to toss away that makeup. Yes, it makes the packaging look ugly, but your face will thank you.
3. You say: I love this blue eyeshadow colour, maybe I’ll use it when the right occasion comes up.
Reality: If you haven’t touched it (let alone remove the plastic packaging), then maybe you really don’t love the blue colour. If you’re not certain on whether or not you’ll be using that particular item, you should definitely throw it away. Prolonging the tossing will just make you feel guiltier and possibly keep even more items on your shelf just because you ‘might use them.’
4. You say: This mascara costs a fortune! Throwing it away is like tossing cash into the trash.
Reality: You’ll probably end up spending even more money on buying storage for your old cosmetics than the cosmetics alone. Also, if you get an infection, taking a trip to the dermatologist will cost way more than that Dior mascara. So, you’re actually saving more money when you’re tossing away that old makeup. Yay!
5. You say: I can’t throw it away – this is my favourite eyeliner!
Reality: Combining all the above excuses, you just can’t seem to part way with your favourite eyeliner or other favourite beauty product. Though we like to say certain products are our favourites, makeup companies come up with new items almost every three months! It’ll be hard to try new products if you keep that old eyeliner of yours. Even the adage rings true for makeup, ladies, “out with the old, in with the new.”
______________________________________________________________________________
SHELF LIFE OF COSMETICS
What happens when the beauty product doesn’t even indicate a little numbered jar or batch code? Don’t fret, here are some general tips that can guide you on when to throw away that makeup. (Remember, these are just rules of thumb, meaning that these are general guidelines on when makeup normally expire). (Source)
- Powder: 2 years.
- Foundation: 6 months
- Pencil Eyeliner: 2 years (remember to sharpen every so often!).
- Gel/Liquid Eyeliner: 3 months
- Mascara: 3 months
- Lipstick/gloss: 2 years
______________________________________________________________________________
ALTERNATIVES FOR OLD MAKEUP
Feeling a bit disheartened when throwing away makeup? You don’t need to follow the conventional way. Here are a few alternatives that might make you feel better instead of tossing it straight to the trash.
1. Recycle old makeup.
Thanks to the Return to Origins Recycling Program, you can recycle any empty cosmetic packaging (regardless of the brand) to Origins and they will help you recycle it. In addition, if you’re a MAC lover, swap six (6) empty MAC containers to get a free MAC lipstick (colour of your choice)! Click here to see the program. So, empty away the liquids, creams, etc. and feel good about yourself while also benefiting the environment.
2. Create beautiful pieces of artwork.
Since applying makeup is considered a beauty art form, why not transfer that art form to paper? Use your old makeup as ways to produce art on paper, whether it may be to draw or paint with mascara, blush, and yes even concealer! Karl Lagerfeld’s been known to use Shu Uemura nail polishes to draw sketches and Hong Kong Beauty Guru, BeautyQQ often uses old makeup to draw portraits.
______________________________________________________________________________
Labels: makeup
written at 11:58 AM
