Makeup does expire — and the products you use around your eyes expire fastest. Mascara should be tossed after about three months, liquid liners around three to six, while pencils and powders can safely last a year or more with good hygiene. In this Tipsy Tuesday, esthetician Nikol Johnson runs through the replacement timeline for everything in your makeup bag and the signs a product has turned.
Key Takeaways
- Mascara: ~3 months. The wand carries bacteria into the tube with every use — it has the shortest life of anything you own.
- Liquids expire faster than powders: foundations and concealers ~6–12 months; powders can go 18–24.
- Pencils outlast liquids because sharpening constantly renews a clean surface.
- Smell, texture, or color changes mean toss it immediately, whatever the calendar says.
How often should you replace eye makeup?
Eyes are the most infection-prone area, so be strictest here. Replace mascara — like your VOLUME UP Mascara — every three months, and never pump the wand, which forces bacteria-laden air into the tube. Liquid liners follow the same short clock. Pencil liners such as the WaterProof Eyeliner Pencils can last up to two years if you sharpen regularly — a quick pass with a Pencil Sharpener before use shaves off the used surface and keeps the tip sanitary.
How long do face products last?
Liquid foundation and concealer are good for roughly six to twelve months — watch for separation, an off smell, or a shift in color, which mean the formula has oxidized. Powders, blushes, and shadows last eighteen to twenty-four months because bacteria struggle in dry formulas. Lipstick runs about a year; if it smells waxy or 'off,' it's done.
What habits make makeup last its full life?
Keep lids tightly closed, store products away from heat and humidity (the bathroom counter is the worst spot), never add water to revive a drying formula, and wash your brushes weekly — a gentle Lux Brush Soap keeps them from re-contaminating fresh product. Dating products with a marker when you open them takes the guesswork out entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my makeup has expired?
Trust your senses: any change in smell, texture, or color — separation, dryness, a sour or waxy odor — means it's expired regardless of age.
Why does mascara expire so quickly?
Each use pulls the wand across your lashes and back into a dark, moist tube — ideal conditions for bacteria. Three months is the safe limit to protect your eyes.
Can expired makeup cause breakouts or infections?
Yes. Old products harbor bacteria that can cause breakouts, irritation, and eye infections like styes or conjunctivitis. Eye products carry the highest risk.
Does unopened makeup expire?
Sealed products last much longer — often two to three years stored cool and dry — but formulas still degrade over time. The clock really starts at first opening.
