Makeup has a long history, even reaching back as far as the Zhou dynasty in the year 1 BCE. And at various points in history, both men and women have worn makeup. Makeup was seen as a status symbol in many cultures.
Today we wear makeup for many reasons. And if you're passionate about makeup, it's not hard to quickly end up with a cluttered area. Clutter can create an environment that's not only a source of stress but a health hazard as well.
Keep reading to learn how to declutter your makeup and make sure you're staying safe and healthy.
Step One: Create a Makeup Decluttering Plan
Your goal is to cut down on your clutter, which always means setting boundaries to help you make smarter decisions. Your first boundary is to toss everything that's expired. Your second boundary is to remove any type of makeup you haven't used in over a year.
Makeup Expiration Dates
3 Months
Mascara
1-2 Years
Liquid eyeliner - 1 year
Eyeliner - 18 months
Foundations - 1-2 years
Concealers - 1-2 years
Perfume - 2 years
Polish - 2 years
Up to 3 Years
Pencils
Lipstick
Lipgloss
Powder
Bronzer
Up to 5 Years
Lipbalms
Nail polish remover stays good permanently.
What to do with expired makeup
It's best to recycle the containers. If you do, pour all the excess makeup into a jar, use it to create a fun piece of art, or find somewhere you can safely dispose of it. Do NOT go crazy on cleaning the containers, just dump the bulk of it out.
Next, you can:
Contact the manufacturer or company you purchased the makeup from to ask if they have a recycling program
Check with your local recycling program
Skip all the hassle and visit Terracycle.com where you can join their free (and EASY) recycling skin and hair care packaging program.
What To Do With Makeup You Aren't Using
If it's either slightly expired, slightly used, or never used, there's a great chance you can donate your makeup to a worthy cause! Donating is a great idea if you bought the wrong kind of makeup or spent a lot of money on an item you realize you'll never use.
Make sure you know what the donation site is willing to accept before you send anything.
Expiration Date Schexperation Date
Should you continue using makeup if it's expired? In many cases, you can use your makeup after it's expired and nothing will happen. But, if you do choose to play Russian roulette with your makeup (no judgment, been there), you should at least know these two facts.
Makeup doesn't work as well when it ages because the ingredients begin breaking down
Bacteria begin to grow which can lead to infections of the eye
Also, if you keep your makeup in your bathroom, just remember it's a total germ-fest in there. Especially given the extra heat and humidity found in that room.
Keep Going!
Organizing and decluttering makeup or anything else isn't always easy. Even when you have firm boundaries, it can be hard to make decisions and even harder to keep yourself motivated.
Remember that you deserve to look and feel your best, no matter what! And that means surrounding yourself with everything you need to feel supported.
If you're still struggling, that's okay, you probably just need a little extra support like a decluttering coach. That's why I'm here. Contact me today to schedule your first online session!