A Beauty Tip You Can Use...

Recently I shared with you a story about using bad (expired) makeup. I had a small jar of eye wrinkle cream in my makeup drawer. After cleaning out the makeup drawer, I decided to keep the eye wrinkle cream (an expensive brand) and use it all up. So after washing my face that evening I applied it around my eyes. By time the next morning arrived, my eye lid had PUFFED UP and it was red, tender and swollen up! I looked like I had some type of contagious disease!!! It was embarrassing and I was miserable for days!!!

The moral to the above story is DON'T use OLD MAKEUP. 

Toss it out, when in doubt.

Since makeup/beauty products have a limited shelf life, let's NOT take chances when it has expired.

BEAUTY TIP: use a permanent marker and DATE your new makeup containers when you add them to your drawer....

Need makeup tips for the summer heat? Check out this posting at MissusSmartyPants.com

How Long Makeup Lasts...and when to pitch it!

Ever have a nasty eye infection from using expired makeup? I have. It was pretty bad too.

I got said nasty eye infection from an eye cream that was suppose to "smooth fine lines and crows feet". Well, whatever. I ended up with a pus-inflamed red eye lid that looked like I had something contagious! I stayed home for DAYS people! If I would have seen someone like me (Cyclops) walking around town... I would have gathered up my small children and ran the other way--FAST!!!

The point is, don't take chances with makeup (especially anything that goes near your eyes). When it doubt--toss it out! I've always tossed questionable left-over food and milk past the expiration date without hesitation.  But, I guess sometimes a gal just has to learn things the HARD WAY! LOL!

I found this cool info-graph telling you when to toss it OUT!

WHEN IN DOUBT...TOSS IT OUT!!!

Beauty Product Have a Limited Shelf Life

Beauty products have a limited shelf life, so chances are lots of what's in our makeup drawers and bathroom cabinets has long expired!

TIP: use a permanent marker and DATE your new makeup when you add it to your drawer.

Eleven makeup products & how long they last:

1. Concealers. Up to 12 months.

2. Powders. 2 years.

3. Cream & gel cleansers. 1 year.

4. Pencil eye liner . Up to 3 years.

5. Eye shadow. Lasts up to 3 years. TIP: dark eye shadow can double as an eyeliner. You'll need an fine eyeliner brush for this. Get the brush a little damp w/ water and dab into the eye shadow (dark gray, brown or deep jewel-tones work great). Work the brush into your lash line focusing on the space between your lashes, and then sweep the eye shadow just above your lash line.

6. Brushes. Wash them every 2 months in a mild soap

7. Sponges .Wash weekly and throw out monthly

8. Foundations. Water-based foundations will last up to 12 months, oil-based will last up to 18 months.

9. Lipstick. 1-2 years. However, if it smells rancid, throw it out.

10. Mascara. This product doesn’t have a long shelf life: Throw out after 3 months. Don't pump the wand in and out because you will expose the mascara to the air and dry it out faster.

11. Nail Polish. Up to 12 months, depending on the quality. TIP: when brand-new dab a little vaseline on the inner rim to keep it clean and easy to seal.

OPI Color: Sand in My Suit

Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants
http://www.missussmartypants.com/index.php?route=common/home

When to Toss the Makeup

Is your makeup drawer crammed full of too many cosmetics? Most of it you don’t use--but keep “just in case”. It’s time to let go of the clutter and have only what you need.

This week let's pitch the old makeup!

This week toss out any old makeup you haven’t worn this last year and start 2011 with a clean and organized makeup drawer.

Beauty products have a limited shelf life, so chances are most of it has long expired. TIP: use a permanant marker and DATE your new makeup when you add it to your drawer.

Eleven makeup products & how long they last:

1. Concealers. Up to 12 months. 

2. Powders. 2 years. 

3. Cream & gel cleansers. 1 year. 

4. Pencil eye liner . Up to 3 years. 

5. Eye shadow. Lasts up to 3 years. TIP: dark eye shadow can double as an eyeliner. You'll need an fine eyeliner brush for this. Get the brush a little damp w/ water and dab into the eye shadow (dark gray, brown or deep jewel-tones work great). Work the brush into your lash line focusing on the space between your lashes, and then sweep the eye shadow just above your lash line. 

6. Brushes. Wash them every 2 months in a mild soap 

7. Sponges .Wash weekly and throw out monthly 

8. Foundations. Water-based foundations will last up to 12 months, oil-based will last up to 18 months. 

9. Lipstick. 1-2 years. However, if it smells rancid, throw it out. 

10. Mascara. This product doesn't have a long shelf life. Throw it out after 3 months. Don't risk an eye infection by keeping too long. Also don't pump the wand in and out because you will  expose the mascara to the air and dry it out faster.

11. Nail Polish. Lasts up to 12 months, depending on the quality. TIP: when brand-new rub a little vaseline on the inner rim to keep it clean and easy to seal.

1. Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants  

http://www.missussmartypants.com/