Beauty products promise perfection: 24-hour foundations, eyeshadows that never fade, mascaras that withstand any storm. But here’s the truth no one wants to tell you: makeup is not eternal.
The bottles we cherish, the lipsticks we refuse to throw away, the mascara you swore you’d replace months ago… Everything has a limit. And when you cross it, your skin pays the price.
Celebrity makeup artist Elizabeth Ulloa reveals the secrets of fresh, safe, and radiant makeup. Because if your skin is a canvas, it deserves only the best.
THE DANGERS OF A BEAUTY BAG THAT DOESN’T KNOW WHEN TO RETIRE
There’s something almost sentimental about makeup we refuse to part with. An eyeshadow you bought on that unforgettable trip. A limited-edition gloss. The perfect eyeliner that’s now discontinued.
But here’s the harsh reality: if a product no longer looks, smells, or feels the same as day one, what you’re applying isn’t beauty—it’s a risk.
“Women believe that if a product looks fine on the outside, it’s still safe. But contamination and degradation are invisible.” — Elizabeth Ulloa
A study by Aston University in the UK found that 90% of used makeup products contain potentially dangerous bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, capable of causing infections and skin damage.
Expired foundations and concealers can clog pores and trigger severe acne breakouts.
Old eyeshadows and eyeliners can lead to serious eye infections.
Expired mascaras are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, causing irritation or even conjunctivitis.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that, in extreme cases, using expired eye cosmetics has resulted in temporary or permanent blindness.
“Makeup is not an eternal accessory. It’s a living product. And like everything alive, it has an end.”
Elizabeth Ulloa
THE ART OF RENEWAL: WHAT STAYS & WHAT GOES
The key isn’t accumulating more products. It’s knowing how to choose wisely and let go of what no longer serves you.
Foundations & Concealers
- Hydrating foundations: 18 months.
- Oil-free foundations: 12 months.
- Liquid concealers: 12 months.
Eyeshadows & Liners
- Powder eyeshadows: Up to 2 years (if sanitized regularly).
- Liquid eyeshadows: 12 months (maximum).
- Pencil eyeliners: Up to 2 years (but sharpen frequently).
- Gel or liquid eyeliners: 3 months.
Mascara
- 3 months. Not a day longer.
- 63% of people admit they continue using mascara long after its expiration date, increasing the risk of eye infections.
Blushes & Powders
- Cream blush: 12 months.
- Powder blush: Up to 2 years.
Lipsticks & Glosses
- Lipsticks: 12 to 18 months.
- Lip glosses: 18 to 24 months.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, using expired lipsticks can cause lip and oral infections, as well as severe allergic reactions.
“Lipsticks can last longer if disinfected, but if the scent changes, there are no excuses. Let it go.”
Elizabeth Ulloa
THE MAKEUP TEST: IS YOUR BEAUTY BAG
ACTUALLY FRESH?
It’s not about reading microscopic expiration dates on labels. It’s about knowing your products the way you know your skin.
Ask yourself this before applying anything:
Does it feel different on your skin?
Does it smell off?
Has the color or texture changed?
Have you had it for more than two years without using it?
“If you hesitate, toss it. Your skin deserves certainty, not doubt.” — Elizabeth Ulloa
THE MANIFESTO FOR A PERFECT BEAUTY BAG: LUXURY & CLEANLINESS
Less is more: A curated kit is more powerful than a drawer full of forgotten products.
Hygiene is everything: Clean brushes, clean hands, fresh products.
Trust your intuition: If something doesn’t look or feel right, don’t use it.
“Your makeup shouldn’t just make you beautiful. It should take care of you.” — Elizabeth Ulloa
Beauty isn’t just about color or coverage. It’s about the confidence of knowing that every product on your skin is at its peak.
Because in the art of makeup, the only thing that has no place is what’s expired.
“Your makeup shouldn’t just make you beautiful. It should take care of you.”
Elizabeth Ulloa
