Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Make-Up Shelf Life~ Renee Arnold

Makeup does not last forever. It might be hard to believe, but there does come a point when your makeup stops being effective and can do more bad to your face than good.

For example, mascara should never be kept more than two or three months. When the brush is used and put back in the tube it collects bacteria that lingers there and then is put back in contact with your eye the next day. Lingering bacteria can cause pink eye, redness or itchiness. If you develop any of these symptoms, makeup artist Pati Dubroff recommends throwing away all of your eye makeup that has come in contact with your eyes since the redness started, and if your eyes are still irritated two days later, see an eye doctor.

Foundation should be replaced at least once a year unless it's unopened – then you can hang onto it for a few years. Keeping foundation and using it for too long can reverse its effects, causing skim breakouts.

Eye shadows and eye liners stay good for about three months. These too can cause bad eye irritation if the bacteria comes in contact with your eyes because it has lingered for too long.

Lastly, makeup tools can last for years as long as they are still in good shape and not fraying. To keep your brushes in good condition, you should cleanse them every two weeks using a gentle shampoo and letting them dry upright. Cheap makeup sponges should be pitched after two uses because the little sponges suck up too much makeup and are home to bacteria pits. Disgusting right?

Now that you're aware, use these tips to make sure your makeup is helping you, not harming you!

Photograph property of Lilies Among Thorns Magazine. Photograph taken by Abby Whear.

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