New Makeup For The New Year

Along with putting away Christmas decorations and the beginning of a new year comes a desire to clean up and get organized. If you're feeling the urge to tidy up your closet, kitchen, living spaces, why not add your makeup bag to the list?

Is your makeup drawer or bag crammed with too many cosmetics, or outdated ones? Is there makeup there that you don't use, but keep "just in case"?

It's time to let go of the clutter and have only what you need. There may not be an expiration date on every package, but products do have a shelf life. Here's a list of twelve makeup products and how long they last. It will give you a good idea of what you might want to ditch:

1. Concealers: These last up to 12 months.

2. Powders: About two years.

3. Cream and gel cleansers: One year.

4. Pencil eye liner: Up to three years.

5. Eye shadow: Lasts up to three years.

6. Brushes: Wash them every two months in a mild soap. But, if the bristles are fraying or falling out, dump them.

7. Sponges: Wash weekly and throw out monthly.

8. Foundations: Water-based foundations will last up to 12 months, oil-based will last up to 18 months. If a liquid foundation remains separated after you shake it, it's done - throw it out!

9. Lipstick: One to three years. However, if it smells rancid, throw it out. You'll be able to tell if there is something vaguely chemical about your second-favorite red. Also, if it's sweating or has a dried texture to it, toss it!

10. Mascara: This product doesn't have a long shelf life. Throw out after three months. And remember: Don't pump the wand in and out because you will expose the mascara to the air and dry it out faster.

11. Nail Polish: This can last up to 12 months, depending on the quality. Like with foundation, if the polish stays separated after shaking, it's time to ditch it. TIP: when brand-new rub a little vaseline on the inner rim to keep it clean and easy to seal.

12. Fragrance: Once opened, a fragrance stays fresh anywhere from a year to eight years, (but the eight years is a long shot.) Heavy orientals have a longer shelf life than light, citrusy scents. If you got a new fragrance over the holidays that you just love, but you're still using your old one, store the new bottle in its original packaging in the refrigerator—it'll keep longer.

13. Bath and Body: The shelf life of your bath and body products are actually shorter with higher quality products. This is because they use natural oils and butters rather than petroleum byproducts. However, whether they are premium brands or simply a mineral oil and glycerine blend, bath and body products have a limited life.

What a great addition to your new year's resolutions! This week toss out any old makeup you haven't worn this last year and start 2011 with a clean and organized makeup drawer. And one more tip: Use a permanent marker to DATE your new makeup when you add it to your drawer. A little obsessive compulsive, maybe, but it will eliminate the guess work when you're trying to remember just how long it's been since you bought that mascara.