Even natural, non toxic makeup, turns into toxic makeup after a while.

Correct storage can help a lot, and throwing the product out is the next step. Most women could not tell you how long they have had that shade of eye shadow, or the mascara wand.  Makeup, like milk, has an expiration date. It can sour, go bad, and worse, become a Petri dish for bacteria. Perhaps we can lobby for the manufacturers to put “use before” dates on the labels. Until then, here are some tips.

The next time you are applying make up, look at each thing and write down how long you think you have had it. If you can’t remember, toss it! Here’s some guidelines. Mascara has a shelf life of about four months max.  Most foundations and lipsticks should be thrown away after a year. Powdered eye shadows , blushes and  face powders can last about two years as long as they don’t start forming an oily crust on the surface or discolor. If moisture get to them, it is best they hit the can.

Foundations should be kept away from sunlight and tucked neatly and tightly in a drawer or cabinet.  Moisturizers, too.  Also, make sure to give them a good shaking before you use them.  Do you know the safest way how to put on makeup like foundations and liquids?  Buy them in aerosol or in tubes or with dispense metered applicators. Use disposable sponge instead of your fingers. Tissue, swabs and cotton balls fall apart and absorb too much, which causes the makeup application to be wasteful, time consuming and frustrating.  Leave them in the medicine cabinet.

Tips on how to apply makeup without risking an infection

For the eyes, here are some how to apply make up without causing irritations tips.  Use disposable applicators and never mix colors. Make it a habit to toss the applicators on the first of the month, ever month.  Never put liquid liners near the eye ducts or inside the lower lid.  Every once and a while, rinse that liquid liner tip in hot water and let it dry. You may lose some of the product, but that’s minor in comparison to protecting your eyes. Liner is cheaper that medicated eye drops and antibiotics.  An you’ll look a heck of a lot better without an optical patch over an infected eye.

Another how to apply makeup and keep it clean tip is this – if you use brushes, wash them in mild soap and pat them dry at least every few months. Replace them every year. Yes, we are all guilty of tossing those brushes in the drawer and letting them roll around in who knows what. Keeping the brushes in a baggie is one way to keep dirt, dander and germs off your face.  Many women do not realize one of the reasons their faces keep breaking out is they’re shoving bacteria and viruses into their pores with dirty applicators and brushes.

When it comes to learning how to apply makeup, knowing the safest way to keep your face fresh and clean is of the utmost importance. Too many of us have old, outdated stuff in our makeup bins and drawers. If you haven’t used it in a couple of months, why are you still rummaging through it? And of course, never ever, share, borrow or buy makeup someone else has used. Yeah, we are all guilty of that one!