We spend hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars on makeup every year. But here’s the hard truth: most of us throw a lot of that money away — not by tossing products, but by letting them expire early.
Makeup has a shelf life, and how you store it matters just as much as how you use it.
💄 How long makeup really lasts:
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Mascara: 3–6 months
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Liquid foundation: 6–12 months
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Lipsticks: 12–18 months
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Powders: 18–24 months
But these numbers shrink drastically when products are exposed to heat or sunlight. Heat breaks down preservatives and encourages bacteria growth, causing products to spoil faster — even if they’re unopened.
🧊 How to make them last:
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Store them in a cool, consistent environment.
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Avoid direct sunlight and temperature swings (like leaving them in a car or near a window).
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Use insulated storage when traveling to prevent formula breakdown.
It’s not about buying more makeup — it’s about protecting what you already have.