Insider Blog

Many of us have been using our time at home to do some deep cleaning—chances are, your living space and closets are very clean. But have you cleaned out your makeup collection yet? If not, it’s time for a little beauty detox.

Below, we’ve provided some useful tips on how long makeup lasts once opened, which you can use to determine which products to keep or toss. Getting rid of makeup can be a bittersweet task, but you’ll enjoy the results: a streamlined beauty collection and more room in your makeup drawer. Once your beauty detox is complete, you’ll feel organized and refreshed. Not to mention, you’ll be perfectly prepped to update your makeup collection.

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FOUNDATION & CONCEALER
Period after opening: 1 year.
Can’t remember when you opened that foundation that’s been sitting in your makeup drawer for ages? Chances are, it’s time to throw it out. Foundation and concealer—typically in liquid form—last about a year once opened before they can start to grow bacteria. You also might see the formula begin to crack and separate, which means it’s time to let it go. Powder foundation and solid concealer can take a bit longer to accumulate bacteria than their liquid counterparts, so they’ll last a bit longer. Did you toss that old foundation? Add fmg Cashmere 24 Hour Foundation to your beauty supply. This all-day foundation provides 24 hours of comfortable, breathable wear and comes in 30 matte shades to suit a wide range of skin tones and undertones.

MASCARA
Period after opening: 3-6 months.
A few months after it’s opened, mascara will start to dry out. Like other liquid makeup, it can accumulate bacteria, which can lead to potential irritation and infection. If you have sensitive eyes, we recommend switching out your mascara every three months. However, if your mascara still glides on smoothly and doesn’t irritate your eyes, it can last you up to six months. The same holds true for liquid eye liner—it can accumulate bacteria quickly and should be tossed out around the same time as mascara. Did your favorite mascara dry out? Replace it with Avon True Color Love at 1st Lash Mascara, a nourishing lash-hugging formula that delivers a flawless flutter.

EYE LINER & EYESHADOW
Period after opening: 1 year.
Opened eye liner pencils and eyeshadow can last much longer than their liquid counterparts. Since solid and powder makeup take longer to build up bacteria, you don’t have to worry about it drying out. However, if you’re a big fan of colored eye makeup, you might want to toss it a bit sooner than your neutrals. Brightly-hued cosmetics change in color over time, and will likely last less than a year once opened. When you notice your purple eyeshadow or green eye liner fading, it’s time to replace it. Did your colorful eye liner lose its vibrance? Update your eye makeup collection with fmg Glimmer Cream Eyeliner, available in richly pigmented hues like Starry Night Blue and Emerald.

LIPSTICK
Period after opening: 1 year.
Many lipsticks not only stay on all day, but they also have a long period after opening. You can keep opened lipsticks for up to 2 years, and then toss them, as they can start to grow bacteria that can cause skin irritation. Once again, your liquid lipsticks will have a shorter lifespan once opened (probably 1 year max), as the liquid formula will crack and dry out. Did your liquid lipstick crack and separate? Treat yourself to Avon Mattitude Liquid Lipstick to give your pout a high-impact matte finish that lasts for hours.