Using the weight test (and assuming that a 'normal' person applies lipstick three times a day, as suggested by Birchbox), you would expect a 3.8g lipstick to last around five months if you used it each day.
“Women who wear lipsticks daily, retouch it more than 10 times a day, should be very careful. Some amount of those harmful metals does get absorbed over a period of time and leads to lead accumulation in the system. Even small amounts going in for a long period of time can be a cause for concern.”
Lipstick is typically good for one year after you've opened it. Eye makeup like mascara and liquid eyeliner should be replaced every three months.
Drumroll, please! The average tube of lipstick provides 293 swipes. Now, if you applied lipstick three times a day, every day of the week, a single tube of lipstick will last you about three months.
As a guideline: Foundation, primer, blush and eyeshadow may last up to 2 years. Lipstick should last for one year after it is opened. Eye makeup such as mascara and eyeliner would need to be replaced every three months.
While matte lipstick is meant to be long lasting, many formulas can leave your lips dry or have color that disappears too quickly. MAC Cosmetics claims their velvety-smooth Matte Lipstick will last for up to 10 hours.
When stored under optimal conditions, unopened lipstick can last a long time. Optimal conditions entail a cool area free of sunlight and high temperatures. The refrigerator is a perfect place. As a rule, makeup experts recommend tossing used lipstick and glosses after one to two years.
The wrong color may spoil your mood, but the risk of a lipstick or lip-gloss formula spoiling (or growing bacteria) is low since they don't contain water, says Hammer. But since they're repeatedly exposed to the mouth area, he suggests replacing lip products after a year — or if you've recently been sick.
When to toss
Lipstick doesn't hold much bacteria, so it can last between 12 – 18 months. Although lipstick and gloss are packed with preservatives such as parabens, essential oils and vitamins to ward off germs, these naturally start to break down after a year.
In general, lipsticks only last for 2 years at the longest once you've opened them. Even if your lipstick seems good after this point, it's best to replace it. Let go of your old lipsticks and celebrate with a new tube.
Yes, makeup DOES expire
Liquid foundation generally lasts for 12 months, while mascara and eyeliner only stretch for three. Lip products will generally go for around two years, but can begin deteriorating earlier if used frequently.
Lipsticks and Lipglosses: 1 year with regular usage. Pigments: These can last for 5+ years depending on how you use them. I recommend not using them straight out of the jars (so that bacteria doesn't get trapped in the main jars). Mascara: 3 to 4 months.
But if you have a history of eczema, sensitivity, dark lips and you are a daily user of lipstick then it could be a problem. These pigments can cause or aggravate lip eczema or even perioral dermatitis causing lip darkening or pigmentation around mouth,” says Dr. Gurveen Waraich.
All lipsticks have a shelf life of 2 years. If yours is more than 2 years old, then it's time to throw it into the bin. You see, using an expired lipstick can cause irritation and inflammation on the lips. Hence, in this case, prevention is better than cure.
All preservatives in makeup do break down over time, even if the product is unopened, so you should never keep any product for more than 3 years.
A new survey finds that one in five women keep their makeup well past its expiration date, which can lead to bacteria that causes serious illness. Women clinging to that old tube of lipstick or bottle of mascara may be turning their makeup bags into a petri dish for bacteria that can cause serious illness.
According to celebrity dermatologist, Dr Ajay Rana, when a product breaks down, it stops protecting against the formation of bacteria. Expired lipsticks contain enterococcus faecalis, which is a deadly bacteria that causes meningitis, among other potentially deadly side-effects.
Yes, it's possible for viruses to live on lip products, Canadian microbiologist Jason Tetro says, but it's not necessary to throw away your lipstick or lip balm every time.
The best long-lasting lipstick with a satin finish
With M.A.C Liptensity Lipstick, you get full coverage, rich color with nice sheen said to last up to eight hours.
So, in a way, two lipsticks are sufficient, but having three really perfect lipsticks is even better. With three perfect lipsticks, you know that you're always prepared for whatever the day may throw your way.