Makeup Expiration : Shelf Life Of Cosmetics

Hi there

I have been wanting to do a post on makeup / cosmetic expiration for a while now.  So here are some F.A.Q's that people need to know.

Cosmetics shelf life F.A.Q.

1. Do cosmetics expire?

Yes, as any other products.

2. What are production date, expiration date and PAO?

Production date (or manufacture date) is the date when your product was manufactured. 

Expiration date is the date after which your cosmetic product will be expired and should not be used anymore. .

To clarify how long you can use your product once you opened it, Period after opening (PAO) sign is used. Try finding “open jar” sign with a number followed by the letter M, where number indicates how many months the product can be safely used for after opening. 

3. How can I determine exact expiration date for my cosmetics?

Your makeup will expire as soon as expiration date is reached OR end of PAO is reached.

Basically there are two options:
- Expiration date will be reached first:

- PAO will be reached first:

4. How long can I keep my cosmetics and be in safe?

Generally speaking, you can keep your cosmetics unopened up to 3 years. This is quite general term, and can depend from product and company produced it.
Please note: as soon as you opened it, you should also maintain the PAO.

5. What is average PAO for my mascara (lipstick, gloss etc)?

General period after opening is:
Perfumes, perfume, edp – up to 3 years;
Powders (including blush, eyeshadows powdery texture) – 1 to 3 years;
Foundation in a jar or a cream powder – 1 to 3 years;
Liquid tone means (in tubes or jars with dispenser) – 1 year;
Nail polish – 1 year;
Sun cosmetics – 1 year (but no more than one season);
Lipstick, lip gloss – 1 year;
Pencil (Eye, Lip) – about 1 year;
Skin care products (hydrating cosmetics, wrinkle, eye contour) in a sealed packet with the pump – about a year, in a jar – from 6 to 10 months;
Solid eyeliner and eyebrow pencil – from 6 to 8 months;
Bronzing – 6 months;
Mascara – 3-6 months;
Liquid eyeliner – from 3 to 4 months;
Natural/Organic products – up to 6 months.

Please note that natural and organic cosmetics, which do not include preservatives, can be stored up to 6 months after opening. Reason: absence of preservatives leads to a proliferation of bacteria.

6. How can I determine that cosmetic has been expired / not fresh?

The general rule is simple: as soon as you notice changes in your cosmetics – this means that the shelf life came to the end.
First of all, the smell: as soon as you feel any nasty notes, sharpness or rancidity, trash it.
Pay attention to appearance, texture , or gases have been formed in a tube – the shelf life is out!
It is very easy to determine “old age” mascara – as soon as it is dry, throw it away with no regrets, and in any case, do not try to “revive”.
Nail polish can be considered worthless, as soon as it began to thicken and harden.
Even if the recently purchased cosmetics were in the heat for quite a long time – do not use it anymore.
As a conclusion, if you have any suspicion about the appearance or odour of the product, it is better do not use it anymore. It is recommended to not use cosmetics after any visible changes in colour, texture or odour.

7. What are possible consequences of using expired cosmetics?

In the best case, expired cosmetics just stop doing what it should do; it can change its appearance, smell and colour, or become a sticky or oily.
In the worst case, expired cosmetics can result in skin irritation, dermatitis, allergic reactions and infection.

When Life Happens ......

Hi All

I know that it looks like I have abandoned by blog for the last few months, but it was because “life” got in the way.  I know there should be no excuse because when you start a blog, you make a commitment and you are in it for the long haul.

I have missed blogging.  Every time I think of a topic I would like to blog about, I get a little sad because I know that time is not on my side.  So, I thought I would firstly apologise for not posting regularly like I should be and also explain why.

Firstly being an Accountant is hard work.  I worked overtime in December to make sure that I had a two week break without having to go into work during my holiday.  While on December break, I had a list a mile long, for things that needed to get done (not all of which got done.  Before I knew it, it was time to get back to work.  When I returned to work in January, you can only imagine how much work had accumulated for the two weeks I was off work.  Also, it means that the deadlines must still be reached regardless of the holidays.

My daughter started high school this year (2014), she is 13 years old.  The last quarter of last year was spent following up with schools, going to school interviews with principles, filling out documents which meant taking time off work to do so.   So there was lots of prep for high school to be done in December and January (school uniforms, books etc).  Also xmas itself is soo hectic (shopping, visitors etc.)

The first few weeks of school have been so hectic OMW.   The lists of things that needed to be done was never ending.   The school my daughter is attending has a “Camp-out” for the Grade 8 students every year.  Since the grade 8 students come from different schools, it gives them an opportunity to get to know each other better and familiarize themselves with the school and their teachers.  Since the committee for the camp-out is made up mainly of parents, we got to know each other better as well.  Which means that we are able to build a long term relationship whereby, we could contact each other and support each other and liaise as to whether our kids are on the same page or need help etc.

The Camp-out was held on 7^th of February 2014.  When school started in January 2014, the parents had to attend school meetings two or three times a week leading up to the event.  I just got “voted” on to a committee to help running the camp-out.  I did explain that I was extremely busy at work and would help where I can.  They were hearing nothing.  First I got voted on to the food committee. Which meant planning - working out menus for the kids, grocery shopping, preparing and the list goes on.

Thereafter, I joined the sports / team-building committee as this was up my alley.  We do lots of team-building events at my company, so I had lots of ideas.  I would have lots of input but I would let the leader of the sports committee run with it, since I had to work on the day of the camp-out, although I would be there in the evening.

As the meetings went on, I was being asked to do more and more stuff.  I therefore excused myself from the food committee.  The principle asked me to plan “the Amazing Race” for the kids, which was a two and a half hour event.  It was a solo planning event without the help of the sports committee.  There was lots of work and planning, stuffing envelopes, working out destinations / routes based on the layout of the school, working out clues for the kids to follow.  All of this was done at night while I also brought work home from my day job.  I also had to go to the school on a Saturday to study the layout of the school.  

I produced a 14 page document, a route map, bought the props, made the signs (speed bumps, pit stops etc) with no help.  I stuffed so many envelopes, all while not sleeping for two nights leading up to the event.

My deadline at work was on the same day 7^th February.  I worked overtime, just about finishing my work on the evening of the 6^th February.  I wanted to at least be there for the event that I planned.  I reached the school in the afternoon, just before the event was planned to start (just after the kids finished the water-slide).  I had to set up the school in record time.  I had to place parents at their posts (speed bumps, detours, road blocks, pit stops etc.) and explain to them what they need to do when the teams arrive at their stop.  I thought the kids would have been worn out by the time the amazing race started as their action packed day started on Friday 7^th at 8AM.  Not at all, they took off like a bullet.  It was over-whelming as the kids most of the time, arrived at all the stops at the same time (10 teams), screaming with enthusiasm, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Anyhoo, it was stressful at first.  After the amazing race, I was congratulated so many times for a job well done and for attention to detail.  This was a good feeling for me, especially since I put a lot of time and effort into it.   They definitely want to do it again next year.  The paramedics had scheduled to do a demo with the kids, but had to leave since we could not stop the Amazing race – It was that good!

After my event had ended, it was followed up with a braai and a disco for the kids, marshmallows on the fire, ice creams etc.. the list goes on.  25 parents stayed over at the school watching the kids – meaning another night with no sleep.  The kids refused to sleep, they even had milo at 2AM Saturday morning.  At 5:30am they were rounded up and we took them (made them walk in their now sleepy state lol) to the Umhlangeni River.

This was followed by breakfast on their return and later sign out by parents (Kids had to be signed in the previous morning at registration).  When I got home, I slept for a whole day, only woke up to eat supper, then went back to sleep and woke up Sunday morning.

 I was then asked to join the Finance committee (a subcommittee of the SGB – School Governing Board), which I said that although I was honoured, I don’t want to join if I can’t give my 100% to it, being busy all the time.  The principle was hearing nothing and asked me to please join.  I attended the meeting this week which only adjourned at 8:35 on a workday.  This committee meets about once or twice a month.

On Friday night 22^nd February, the principle held a thank you dinner for all the parents that attended the camp-out, which was lovely and the food was excellent.  There I was asked to please join the SGB (School Governing Body) by another member.  I did not say yes (yet – lol) I know that the SBG members have to manage another subcommittee on their own, and I don’t think I can manage any more work.  Also listening to them speak, there is a timetable of hundreds of events planned for the school year where they require lots of support and planning from the parents.

Its also almost financial year end at work, which means audit prep, stock takes ect.  No rest for the wicked.

I am soo sorry for going awol and also sorry for the looong post.  But I wanted to let you know that life really did get in the way, I was not just neglecting my blog.

Lots of love.

Nats

Time To Purge Again!

So I went through my makeup collection like I always do now and again to wipe down / sanitize my makeup items.  I then evalaute what I have not used in a while and need to give away to someone who needs and appreciates makeup (after I have sanitized it, otherwise I would never pass it on)  Then there are items that are just old or do not look like they can be given to anyone.

So the picture above shows what I am purging/ throwing away.  These are all low end items.  Thank goodness my high end items last forever.  These I don't mind throwing away.
Two gel eyeliners, brown and black (saved these once before in the microwave. They are now dead.
6 blushes
1 Revlon bronzed (this was my HG bronzer the whole of last year)
Eyeshadow trio
Revlon cream shadow quad
2 My Glam eye and blush palettes

Remember using old products on your skin means, break-outs or worse so get rid of them!

Have you ever purged any makeup items? If so leave me a comment and let me know.
Xoxo

Tips For Organizing Your Makeup

I spent the day organizing my makeup.  If you don't have a clear idea in your head how you want to organize your makeup when you start,then it can prove to be difficult . Without an organizational system in place my makeup collection  would be a messy disaster.

 Does this makeup mess look familiar? Lol!

I started with three Hello Kitty draws, which where okay at first, but as your stash grows, they will no longer be appropriate.  Now I keep lipgloss and lipstick in those Hello Kitty draws and a few other odds and sods.
I subscribed to Glambox from December last year to May this year and these have proved to be very useful  in storing my makeup.  Each box has the pink outer box and the black inner box which makes 12 boxes which I use for strorage.  They also stack nicely on top of each other very neatly. I also have two Ruby box subscrition boxes.
I keep like products together for eg. eye products in one box, blush in another and so on.

Now, not everyone has subscription boxes to store their makeup in, so here are some tops for organizing your makeup:

• Take inventory. Before heading to the store to buy supplies, first assess what makeup you need to store and the space you’ll keep it in. This way you’ll know exactly what your storage needs are and what organization supplies you’ll need to buy. Toss anything you no longer use that can take up valuable space.
• Keep your faves at arms reach. There’s no need to keep every product you own on your dressing table or bathroom sink. Organize and keep the products you use everyday nearby, others can be stored away.
• Thing tall. Storage drawers are a good because they grow upward and take up less counter space. Stackable drawers are even better as they can grow with your makeup collection. Plastic drawers are easy to find are are super inexpensive, while acrylic drawers are great because they’re sleek and blend in with any decor.
• Match like with like. Instead of throwing everything in one drawer, basket or cabinet, group your products together. Keep face products (foundation, concealer, powder) in one drawer, blushes/bronzers in another, and so on. This not only keeps things organized, but also saves time when getting dressed in the morning since you will know where everything is.
• Hit the office supply store. Office supply stores are great resources for organizing makeup. Pencil cups and desk organizers are great for stroring makeup brushes, lip/eye pencils, q-tips and cotton balls. Also check out craft stores and discount stores (Everlasting & Osmans) for small baskets, mini glass vases and other storage accessories. Think outside the box and you’ll be surprised at what you find!
• Don’t let drawers go rogue. Letting makeup loose in a drawer is a disaster waiting to happen! If your dressing table has built in drawers, fill them with small baskets and place your makeup in them. For shallow drawers use shallow, narrow baskets, and for deep or large drawers use larger baskets and layer them to utilize all available space. Be sure to measure your drawers before heading to the store so you’ll buy the right sizes.

I hope these tips helped.  I love seeing how people organize their beauty stash, so share your tips and tricks in the comments.

Thanks for reading
xoxo

Time to purge

Most products have expiry dates on them and these dates should be followed.  For products that  do not have expiry dates, there are general rules to follow. 

Old and expired makeup and other products can cause breakouts and infections.

Here is what I purged today:

• Mascara and liquid eyeliners must be thrown out every three months from the time they have been opened (not six months). This is to avoid eye infections or getting lash bugs
•  Three-in-one products that smear germs from lips to eyes and back again must be thrown out timeously.
•  Lip Gloss must be checked up on constantly.  Watch for colour change and smell.
•   Old Liquid foundations tend to separate and smell bad, so ditch these along with liquid concealers. These last about a year.
•  Lipsticks and lip balm can last up to a year but must be tossed if you used them while you were sick.
•  Eyeshadows, blushes and other dry powder products should last two years.
•  Every three years nail polishes must be tossed.  If they start to separate, they won’t do much for your nails when they are in this condition.
•  Lip pencils should last about three years as well, but only because the germs are removed when it is sharpened.
•  Old makeup sponges harbor bacteria.  Unless you disinfect them every few days, using them can lead to breakouts and contact dermatitis.

Purging can be hard to do especially when you think how much money you have spent, but getting ill from using old expired products is not an option.

I felt great after I purged and I have more space now.

Products purged:

7 mascaras

1 liquid eyeliner

Ardell Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator

Four lip pencils

Two eyeshadow primers (1 homemade)

One face primer

One lip gloss

Two lipsticks

Lipstick Lock

Eyelash curlers

1 Liquid foundation

1 Cream foundation

Two powder foundations (empty containers)

Eye makeup remover

Self tan lotion spray

Placenta hair mist

Cell rejuvenating oil (similar to bio-oil)

In an upcoming post I want to talk about how to sanitize different makeup items while in use and which have not yet expired.  This is very important to do and will prevent bacteria and breakouts from happening.

Thank you for reading.
xoxo
Nats

Glamour & Neutrogena

I was at Gateway mall in Durban the other night with a friend of mine and she spotted a board that showed the Glamour magazine 6 subscription for R100!  So we went to check it out.
Glamour magazine normally costs R29.95. With this special offer you get it for R16.67 for 6 months.

That's not all. Once you pay the R100 and fill out your postal details you get the May issue straight away and two free full sized Neutrogena products!.  I received the Fresh Foaming Cleanser 200ml and the Oil-free Moisture SFP15 Facial Moisturiser 118ml. I have used both these products previously .

The cleanser is a makeup remover and cleanser in one. It is hypoallergenic,  soap free alcohol free, oil free, non-comedogenic and dermatologist tested.

The moisturiser provides all day moisture and sun protection.  It is hypoallergenic, alcohol free, fragrance free, non-comedegenic and dermatologist recommended.
I have sensitive skin so this is exactly what I look out for when I buy products.
I love that these products come with a pump.

The cleanser is a makeup remover and cleanser in one. It is hypoallergenic,  soap free alcohol free, oil free, non-comedogenic and dermatologist tested.

The moisturiser provides all day moisture and sun protection.  It is hypoallergenic, alcohol free, fragrance free, non-comedegenic and dermatologist recommended.
I have sensitive skin so this is exactly what I look out for when I buy products.
I love that these products come with a pump.

There is also a competition to win a trip for 2 to the US with Neutrogena. All you need to do is buy any Neutrogena product and SMS the last four digits of your barcode, followed by your name and age, to 33049 and retain your till slip. For T&C's visit www.NewYorkNo1.co.za.

Also in the May's issue of Glamour there is a free book worth R110!  It is entitled "The Man Diet" by Zoe Strimpel.  Hopefully it is a good read and if so I will definitely pass it on to someone who I think needs this.

The remaining 5 issue will be sent by mail to my postal address.  I normally buy Glamour from my supermarket every month so I was very happy to get it at such a discounted price for the next 6 months delivered to me.  Also the full sized free products was the cherry on the cake.
I don't know how long this offer is running for but it is worth checking out.

Xoxo

Hi

Welcome to my blog.  I love learning about new health and beauty tips and would like to share them with you.

xoxo