I have loose powder that I bought in July 06 I have more than enough left, is it time to buy new makeup?

Question

I change the sponge every other month

Answer 1

I used to work for a major cosmetics company and most cosmetics are designed to stay good for about five years if left unopened. Normally, it isnt until after you use it that you start to have deterioration of the product, mainly due to bacteria growth in the product. A few previous answerers have already given you the basic expiration dates for products, but my advice to you would be to do the following (with everything but mascara and liquid liner which should be purchased new every 6 months or so).
Okay, first take a look at the product; does it have a consistent color and texture? If it is liquid has it separated? If it is loose, is it shaking around in the box easily? For pressed powders, blushes, and eyeshadows, does it have those raised spots where it has been wet? Is the entire surface of the product one uniform color?
Check the smell. Some porducts will smell a little 'off' after awhile and there are some products that you just know the smell of so if it has been sitting awhile, take a whiff.
Mainly use your own judgement. If you are just not sure, it is best to just chuck it and buy a new one, but if you have given it a good looking at, and it looks (and smells) to be okay, then you are in pretty good shape and should have no problems.

Answer 2

No - loose powder lasts a long time in terms of shelf life.

" Mascara
Shelf Life: Three-six months
Mascaras should always be used fairly quickly once they're opened because they're easily contaminated by the pumping action of the brush. This can force bacteria further into the container where the moist, wet environment is ideal for bacteria to thrive.

Moisturiser
Shelf Life: Three-12 months
Moisturisers should be used up quickly, especially ones that contain essential oils and botanicals (check ingredients on the label). The best idea is to buy one moisturiser at a time and use it everyday. This is more important with natural ingredients such as plant extracts that can quickly lose their efficacy after a certain time and go off. Check the use-by date if you're not sure when yours should be chucked.

Foundation
Shelf Life: Oil-Free Foundation (12 months); Moisturising, Cream or Compact Foundation (18 months)
Again, it's a good idea to use foundation quickly. Oil-free ones have the shortest shelf life because they tend to dry out quicker than other types.

Powder
Shelf Life: Two years
Although powder will actually last longer, two years is the longest you should really keep it. After that, it can start to get a bit dry and, in the case of pressed powder, it may not go on as smoothly. This is unavoidable, as powder mixes with natural skin oils left on the sponge. As a general rule, loose powder can last up to three years in the right conditions.

Concealer
Shelf Life: 12-18 months
Stick concealer lasts the longest of any type. You can tell it's had its day when it starts to get dry and no longer goes on smoothly. Liquid based concealers may start to separate or go lumpy when they're going off.

Blusher
Shelf Life: Powder Blush (two years); Cream Blush (12-18 months)
After two years, powder blushers may start to get a bit dry or develop a 'slippery' texture, caused by mixing with natural oils from skin. Also, once the colour changes it's no longer in its prime. Cream blushes have a shorter shelf life because they contain more emulsions, which are less stable and break down over time. However, you'll find you use these more quickly anyway.

Eyeshadow
Shelf Life: Powder Eyeshadow (two years); Cream Eyeshadow (12-18 months) Powder eyeshadows can last for ages because they are mainly pigmented pressed powder. Cream eyeshadows have a shorter shelf life because, like cream blushes, they use emulsions that break down over time.

Eyeliner and lipliner
Shelf Life: two years
Eyeliner and lipliners are the workhorses of cosmetics. They last for ages because sharpening them regularly goes a long way in preventing bacterial growth.

Lipstick
Shelf Life: two years
Lipsticks are generally quite long lasting because of the way the pigment and fat are formulated together. Don't be put off if tiny bubbles appear on the surface - these are just moisture drops and can be wiped off. Lipgloss Shelf life: 18 months because it is formulated differently.

Fragrance
Shelf Life: 18 months-two years
Fragrances carry little risk of becoming contaminated because they usually contain alcohol, which is a natural preservative. (NOTE: I find that the higher quality perfumes last much longer than 2 years if stored properly out of sunlight and with the cap on)

Makeup will last longer safely if you clean your tools (brushes, applicators, sponges). And never share makeup. Dirty tools and sharing will contaminate your makeup with bacteria."

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/5909

Other links: http://www.sitagita.com/view.asp?id=8120
http://www.mag4you.com/health/Shelf+Life/4369.htm

Answer 3

I read it somewhere that the liquid makeups (or anything that is NOT dry) only last for 6 months including that fact that we don't know how long the stores kept them on their shelves. Powder ones should last at least a year...but again we don't know how long it was kept at the store you purchased it from. If I were you, I'll keep using it until July and buy a new one.

Answer 4

Wow! thankyou! just what I was searching for. I tried looking for the answer on the internet but I couldn't find them.

Answer 5

yeah makeup goes bad

Answer 6

no why waste it if it still work then keep on useing it use your money on eyeshadow or lipgloss