Make-up~~Purge or Save? Splurge or Save?

Sorry, this is a long post...

I was going through my make-up the other day in an attempt to get rid of stuff that hasn't been used in a while. I always knew that make-up had suggested shelf life timeline so with this in mind I headed to the Internet to find out what shelf life make-up does have. I figured this would help me clean out my make-up even faster. And it sure did.

In my search I came across some really good info . As well as a little advice on what products it's better to splurge on and which it's better to just go the cheap route. It all makes sense.

I thought I would share it, a lot of  us don't realize that make-up has suggested time frames for use.
And P.S-if you have make up that is from the the last decade (you know who you are!), without a doubt, get rid of it! That's just the right thing to do for so many reasons!


Concealer: Splurge. Concealer requires premium ingredients in order to provide the best effects on the skin. Poor quality may run the risk of caking, creasing, or lead to difficulty blending the product into skin. Also, the shelf-life of concealer can last up to two years for stick or powder varieties (one year for liquid concealer), so your money is able to stretch for a longer time.

Foundation: Splurge. Since foundation entails full-coverage application, it’s best to seek out those that avoid harsh ingredients that can damage skin. Most designer makeup brands are hyper-aware of the problems that low-grade ingredients present and more drugstore brands are starting to follow in their footsteps.

While drugstores offer a greater variety of raw-ingredient products than in the past, department stores and designer names provide the greatest assortment in foundation hues. This fact alone pushes foundations into the splurge zone.

If you find the right hue in the drugstore brand however, forget the splurge and go for the save. There's no added value in overspending on a designer brand if you have the right color in drugstore product if it's a natural formula, which many drugstore brands are these days.

Eyeshadow: Save. While pigmentation plays a big part in choosing whether to opt for designer or drugstore cosmetics, makeup’s spoiling cycle does as well. Eyeshadows are recommended for a maximum lifespan of only three months, meaning that you’re likely to be wasting money on $28 eyeshadow palettes.

Big drugstore brands like L’Oreal, Maybelline, and Revlon have developed affordable eyeshadows with generous pigmenting to help ease the blow on your bank account.

For those with sensitive eyes, just go with hypo-allergenic drugstore brands. Don’t be fooled that the higher end dept. store brands are better for this. Hypo-allergenic is hypo-allergenic. High end hypo-allergenic is not any different or better. You’re throwing your money if you are splurging on eyeshadow.

Eyeliner: Save. Eyeliner is known to have a life of only three months, due to its close proximity to the eye’s mucous membranes, which can easily transfer bacteria. Many drugstore names have developed formulas very similar to that of designer cosmetics, so this is another product that consumers can save money on.

Same for this product for people with sensitive eyes. Save your money, just make sure it’s hypo allergenic and buy it from a drugstore. Paying over $10 for eyeliner is just throwing your money away.You probably won't finish it before it's shelf life expires and if you truly have sensitive eyes, you should never use eye make up after three months anyways.

Blush: Splurge. Due to its longer shelf-life (one to two years), blush is one of those makeup marvels that women can freely indulge in. Color pigments and quality are also imperative when selecting blush, as it requires a lot of blending upon application.

Lipstick: Save. With so many formulas on the market, from matte finishes to glossy bases, lipstick at a designer quality can easily be found at your local drugstore. Further, this cosmetics product offers the greatest hue variety so finding a great color for less is more than a possibility.

Mascara: Save. Above all, mascara has the shortest lifespan, of only two to three months. Much of its quality degrades due to frequent exposure to air, which causes its formula to dry and crust. Additionally, it often is a breeding ground for bacteria due to its usage near and--if you’ve ever poked yourself with a mascara wand--in the eye area.

And again, go drugstore hypo allergenic on this if you have sensitive eyes. There are many drugstore brands that offer it and hypo allergenic is hypo allergenic.

With these factors in mind, determining what type of makeup to buy at a department store versus a drugstore is made much simpler.

*And also, you should replace or clean your make-up brushes every 3 months or so. They hold bacteria as well.*

So even if you don't wear a lot of make-up or wear it very often, this is good info. Spending $28 on a eyeshadow justifying that it will last you a long time isn't the best idea. It shouldn't last you forever...only a few months before it's putting you at risk for exposure to bacteria. Ewwww...bacteria. On your face and around/ in your eyes...who wants that?


Do you have old make up hanging around in your bathroom? Do you mind spending a lot of money of on makeup? Do you have old stand by brands you have used for years? How log has it been since you cleaned out your make up bag or your medicine cabinet for that matter?