Make Up Shelf Life

One necessity in the world of beauty is make up. Most people (not just women ;P) use it. It doesn’t matter how much you use, whether it be the simple eyeliner and foundation or the whole get up. But while we wear make up carefree, we still have to be careful.

The main topic of this post, when we should throw out our make up. Your mother may have warned you not to share mascara or lip glosses with your friends. The reason for this is after a while of using our make up, bacteria begins to grow in it.

Moist cosmetics are more prone to this (ex. mascara) because bacteria like to grow in moist environments. I remember my 5th grade science class, we had to create mold, so we took bread, mixed it in water and put it in a dark cabinet. Hence, mold forms. (That does NOT mean mold will form in your mascaras.. but you get the idea.)

This is the same case with make up. The reason you are told to put your make up in a cool dark place is the sun destroys preservatives in make up that helps fight off bacteria. So I went online and found a few websites to find out.. What is the shelf life of our make up? When should you throw them out and what you should look for to find out if your make up has gone bad.

I’m going to list the make up in alphabetical order:

Blush and Bronzer: 2-3 years
Blush (Cream): 12-18 months
Brushes: Wash regularly (Lay flat to dry)
Concealer: 12-18 months
Cream & Gel Cleansers: 1 year
Eyeliner (Liquid): 3-6 months
Eyeliner (Pencil): 2-3 years (sharpen regularly)
Eyeshadow (Cream): 12-18 months
Eyeshadow (Powder): 2-3 years
Foundation (Oil based): 18 months
Foundation (Oil free): 1 year
Fragrance/Perfume: 18-24 months
Lip Gloss: 18-24 months
Lip Liner: 1-2 years (Sharpen regularly)
Lipstick: 1-2 years
Loose Powder: 3 years
Mascara: 3 months
Moisturizer: 3-12 months
Nail Polish: 1-2 years
Powder: 2-3 years
Spongers: Wash weekly, replace monthly

Or just check out this article.. picture:

That is pretty much it! Some of it differs depending on how often you use your make up, the cleanliness of your fingers/brushes/sponge. For example, when applying mascara, if you tend to pump the mascara, you are letting air and bacteria into the tube, causing it to dry out quicker. Some quick tips to figuring out if you can still use your cosmetics and to keep in mind;

1. Different consistency, for example if its dried out. If its completely changed consistency, it’s probably no good.
2. Smell. Usually you can tell if something goes bad if it smells, same with cosmetics. But that doesn’t mean just because it smells it’s bad. Mascara can sometimes have a distinct smell as its natural smell. But if it smells different after a few months.. It might be bad. The same with lipstick. If lipstick goes bad, it has a distinct smell.
3. Color changes, ex. faded or dullness. If its faded, its probably worn out its working days, or its dried out.. but in either case, it should probably be tossed.
4. If you get an infection from a cosmetic or develop a reaction to it.. STOP USING IT. If you accidentally apply it ON an infection, your best bet is to toss it and buy another to prevent the germs from spreading.
5. Wash your brushes and sponges with a nondrying cleanser. Or buy a brush cleaner!
6. Throw out nail polishes if it’s dried out or clumpy. An alternative to this, which doesn’t work if its already dried out, is nail polish thinner.
7. Avoid sticking your fingers in creams, etc.. Especially if they’re not clean..
8. DO NOT SHARE MAKE UP!
9. Avoid adding water to liquid cosmetics. Water can still contain bacteria and you might end up changing the consistency. (I know some people add oil to their mascaras if its clumpy.. But eh..)
10.  Stop pumping your mascara!

I know these tips seem.. pretty obvious and simple. But it’s the simple things people avoid! I’m sure you’ve shared your chapstick or mascara with someone in some point of your life. Heck, I’VE even done it! But.. it’s always better safe than sorry, right?

Happy New Year! Resolutions?

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone! It feels like the more we move on in the future, the more things we lose. Well of course there are things we gain. There has to be balance in the world, right? When one door closes, another opens. Let’s close the door to our past and forget the tears, pain, hate, and regrets. Forgive and forget those who have wronged you. Never forget the good memories from our loved ones and open the door to the future. Brush aside petty arguments and hate and embrace the future. Open the door to new beginnings and a fresh start. Forget your troubles as the next day is a new day to start over.

Now that I’m done with my.. speech.. Does anyone do resolutions anymore? I always thought about doing them every year, but I never got around to actually doing them, or I’d forget. I want to make resolutions. Face it, I’m not getting any younger.. haha just kidding.. What I mean is. Life flies by so quickly. We always say things like live life to the fullest. How many people actually do it? Of course, sometimes there are circumstances that do not allow us to pursue what we want to. But, why live the rest of your life wondering ‘what if?’ I don’t want to look back one day when I’m too incapacitated to do anything about it and wonder why I didn’t do this or that. Who wants to live a life of regret? Of course there are things we do that we regret, but does that mean we should continue living life this way? No! We should continue each day.

For example, (actually this is going to turn into a rant,) but I’ve always wanted to have a blog. Nothing was stopping me. I’ve had.. I would say at least three separate blogs, not including livejournals and such. But none of them have ever lasted. No more of such behavior! The only things stopping me was I’d procrastinate or be lazy about it. Also, I’ve always wanted to be good/better at nail art, and sell my nail art. I’ve made several impressive sets for myself for several occasions.. but.. that’s as far as I got. There are a bunch others but.. I’m going to write a list of resolutions. We’ll see how far I get through them xD

1. Update my blog/Youtube/deviantArt more.
2. Work on my nail art.
3. Work on charms/jewelry.
4. Open an online store to sell such so I can earn money for said cosplays.
5. Umm.. get into art school.
6. Learn how to use photoshop.. the real way..
7. Master[/or close to it] Japanese
8. Learn to sew to make cosplays.
9. Learn how to play the guitar (kekeke) Actually that one’s kind of random..
10. Draw more.

These aren’t in any specific of importance or anything. They’re just in order of when I think of them.
Wahh which reminds me. I’m probably/hopefully (actually more of a most likely) going to be transfering to an art school. I don’t think Biology is really working for me. I thought about it, like I’d love to help animals, and save animals from oil spills and such.. But that’s as far as it goes. I feel like that’s kind of volunteer work. (Omg if it really is tell me where I can sign up ) At the same time, I feel like nail art and jewelry, those are more hobby-type. I could see myself doing it in the future, but probably not as a career. More like a side-job.. ish.. Umm.. During my senior year, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I mean who really knows what they want to do nowadays? Unless you’re like my brother who has had his mind set since he was old enough to think haha.

I’ve always had a knack for art. I love art. But at first my parents said I couldn’t do art.. and then I guess they changed their minds later. I know it’s not going to be easy. Then again, nothing is really that simple. But I’m actually excited about picking my colleges for once. I have looked at 13 so far. I don’t want to go too far from home though. I’m going to stay on the east coast hahaa. There’s only one school that I REALLY want to get into.. -gasp- could it be.. my.. top school/choice? Whatever they call it. I never had one of those senior year. I was kind of .. well I didn’t really care. To be honest, my dad picked my colleges. I mean he does that to help.. but no.. I really didn’t care to the point that I applied for whatever colleges my dad picked. But this time, I’m in control. Of course, my mom is helping me because she works in the fashion.. industry? Is that the right word? Well she’s more skilled in that area. So she’s been helping me by suggesting a few schools/checking out the schools I picked and such.

One of the main.. things (perks?).. that I’m looking for in the colleges are the study abroad programs. Of course I’m not going to go to a horrible school if they have a great study abroad program! But I really want to study abroad in Japan. Wahh! I have really really wanted to for the longest time! >< And my main choice has a program where you can study art in Japan That’s a 2 for. I’m really excited actually.. and this has become an unusually long post. I congratulate anyone who manages or has the patience to read it all xD Why don’t I just do art at my current college you may ask? I have no idea.. Haha just kidding, my current school’s program doesn’t let me study abroad in Japan for art.

I’m still not 100% sure what I want to do though. But I’m most likely going to go for either Graphic Design or Fashion Design. But most of the high fashion districts are in Europe.. so.. meh.. I don’t know! hahaa and I’d have fun just knowing how to sew so I can make cosplay costumes or my own clothes.. hahaa. OH I can add that to my resolutions! Okay my list looks good/somewhat reasonable ^-^

If anyone knows of a good art school that has a good art program (& study abroad program) in the east coast area, please tell me! ^^ Again, I hope everyone had a happy holiday week/end! :]