When to Trash Your Makeup

makeup to throw out after one year: eyeshadow and face makeup

Trash after one year:

Eyeshadow: Wouldn’t an oozing infection just perfectly complement your smoky eye look? No? Well then you’ll want to be careful with any products you’re putting near your eyes.

Powder eyeshadow can last up to a year, but only if you use a clean brush to apply. This doesn’t mean you have to buy a new brush every time you put on shadow. Instead wash your brushes once a week with shampoo or cleanser, or invest in a professional brush cleaner. As for cream eyeshadow, since it’s often applied with your finger (aka a bacteria hot spot), trash it after six months.

Face makeup: If you’re using clean brushes and sponges to apply your foundation and blush, these products can usually last for a year, says Reed Cromwell IV, Director of Global Product Development and Innovation for Anastasia Beverly Hills. To really help keep bacteria out, don’t touch your face makeup with your fingers.