From the first day she applies new lipstick or
inaugurates a new bottle of facial cleanser, every
American woman is headed toward the same dilemma.
How long will that lipstick tube last? Does the
razor you used twice and then forgot about for a
couple months have some life left? When is
cleanser too old to be effective?
Many of us are unsure when beauty products expire - or
even if they do at all. Consequently, we may wind up
holding on to partial bottles and remnants of products
because we're not sure of their usefulness. The arrival
of warm weather is a great time to purge.
Cleaning out old beauty products can be emotionally
cathartic, and spare you from using expired items that
may potentially irritate your skin or that just don't
work anymore. Plus, tossing the old opens up
opportunities for discovering great new cosmetics,
beauty items and skin care products. Here's some advice
to get you started:
Cosmetics
Because cosmetic products are used on some very
germ-laden areas of our bodies, like around the eyes,
nose and mouth, they can breed bacteria. Therefore, they
don't have an indefinite shelf-life. The usable life of
some common cosmetics are:
* Mascara and liquid eyeliner - three months
* Cream eye shadows -- three to four months
* Powder shadows -- six months if you don't reuse the
applicator; three to four when reusing applicators
* Liquid, cream or powder foundation - one year if
regularly applied with a new sponge or puff; six months
if applied with fingertips.
* Cream and gel blush -- six months. Powder blushes -
about a year
Once you've purged old cosmetics you'll be ready to
restock with some of the season's hottest new colors and
products.
Skin care products
Skin care products can also be susceptible to bacteria
growth over time, so if you don't finish a product within
a few months, keep an eye on how long you've had it.
Discard products like moisturizers, concealers and toners
that contain skin nutrients like vitamin C or alpha
hydroxy acids after they've been open for about 12 months.
Those active ingredients can lose their effectiveness
after a year.
Exposure to moisture, air, direct sunlight and extreme
temperatures can all affect the ingredients in skin care
products, so store them in a cool, dry spot out of direct
sunlight. And if a product separates or smells differently
than it did when you first opened it, discard it right
away.
Shaving products
Warm weather means getting a good shave is more important
than ever for anyone who wants to wear shorts, tanks,
miniskirts or bathing suits. Old shaving products, like
razors and creams, not only become a breeding ground for
bacteria, they can also leave your legs looking like
you've been through a battle.
Depending on how often you shave, a razor should last a
couple of weeks or a little longer. A good rule of thumb
is to discard disposable razors when the moisture strip on
top wears off. If a blade is visibly rusty, toss it
immediately. To avoid rust problems, don't leave your
razor in the shower where it will repeatedly get wet every
time someone showers.
Gather up old razors and any leftover shaving products
older than a year and trash them. Then, treat yourself to
a new shaving experience by trying Venus Embrace, a
woman's razor that gives a close, comfortable shave using
five spring-mounted blades surrounded by a protective
ribbon of moisture.
Cleaning out old cosmetics and skin care products can help
you feel and look better this season. Plus, it's great
inspiration to reward your cleaning efforts by trying
something new.
Courtesy of ARA content
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