cause of the vitamin E and castor oil which helps to extend the shelf life (and a natural preservative).
Eye and lip pencils will stay fresh
over a year with continued sharp- ening. You’ll know when it has gone bad if it crumbles.
Skincare & Body WaSheS
Facial cleansers and moisturizers
are good for about six months, un- less these products have acids in them like glycolic acid, salicylic acid and beta hydroxyl acid— then they will have a longer shelf life. Try putting eye cream in the fridge—it makes tired eyes feel alive and it keeps it out of the heat. Quick tip: If you don’t want to keep it in the fridge with your food, get a cosmetic fridge. Check out www.frontgate.com or www.amazon.comand search for “cosmetic cooler.”
Facial toner should be thrown away after one year, but if it has vi- tamin C in it, the nutrients can lose potency before a year.
Sunscreens need to be tossed within a year.
Natural body washes last for six
months.
Brushes should be washed regu- larly, as often as once a week, with mild soap and warm water, or you can use a spray brush cleaner. You can also use alcohol—it’s a little harsh, but it works for emergencies. Good brushes are expensive, so if you want to protect your invest- ment, pick up The Brush Guard (www.thebrushguard.com).
Makeup sponges need to be cleaned after every use. Toss within one to two months, or when the sponges show wear and tear. For longer-lasting sponges, Beauty- blender (www.beautyblender.net) is an excellent choice. Shaped like a teardrop, it’s nontoxic, odor-free, latex-free and lasts up to four months (plus if you send it back they will recycle it for you). You could also try a flock sponge, an inexpensive and produc- tive tool
from Jane Iredale
(www.janeiredaledirect.com) that lasts three to four months or longer.
Nail polish has one to two years, if you see orange or other funky stuff going on at the top and the origi- nal color is, lets say pink…it went bad.
Scent-SiBlity
According to Annette Green of the Fragrance Foundation, your perfume should last
from six
months to a year. Storing it in the fridge does not extend the life of a fragrance. In fact, it can disrupt the balance of the perfume and eau de parfum. However, after- shave and cologne may be chilled.
Sharing iS not So caring
Sharing makeup heightens the risk for infection because it increases the risk of contamination. Don’t do it! And speaking of sharing, how about those testers located at de- partment store cosmetic counters? I used to work at a popular cos- metic counter 15 years ago, and procedures have not changed much. It’s hard to keep your eyes
ADistinctive style 39
on the cosmetic counter when people constantly stick their hands in the makeup and try it on without asking for help. Please be careful at the counters and make sure pencils are sharpened and tools are used when makeup is applied.
Beauty WiSdoM
A little common sense goes a long way: Wash your hands before ap- plying makeup and skincare prod- ucts to prevent the spreading of bacteria, keep lids firmly screwed on and use spatulas (or your kids craft sticks) or Q-tips for products in a jar.
These general guidelines can help keep you safe and give you confi- dence when purchasing and pre- serving products. And remember, like the old saying goes: When in doubt, throw it out—especially if there’s no date.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9738004@N08/ Photo by George Hall
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