Face it, you can’t keep your old favorite make up forever! Expired or old cosmetics can lead to health problems and would be damaging for your skin. Yeast, bacteria or fungi may grow on the surface of your cosmetics over time. Check out the simple guidelines to tell us how long make-up actually lasts and tricks to keep them longer.

Your lipstick will last up to two years, some may even last longer. For lip and eye pencils, keep them around for two years. Always store them with the cap on and keep them well sharpened. Now, your mascara, throw it every 3 months. To avoid eye infections, keep it clean and no matter how it smells, part of taking care of your eye requires replacing it every three months. Your moisturizer can be kept for three years. Eye shadow and compacts are good for two years. For blush, two to three years, but if powder based, eighteen months. Foundation usually lasts for a year but foundation with SPF has a shorter shelf life and should be tossed in no longer than one year.

Now that you have learned how long you can keep your make up, discover how to keep them a little longer. Keep your cosmetics in a cool and dry environment, away from direct heat or sunlight. Avoid adding water to your make up that would dilute it. To avoid bacteria to land on your make up, never share it with anyone and avoid using your fingertips to apply it.

As a general rule, if your make up starts to smell funny or stinky, the color or texture doesn’t look right and it has been exposed to prolonged heat, toss ‘em!