January 26, 2012

Has Your Makeup Expired??

If you are anything like me, your vanity cabinet and/ or makeup bag has a few items that have been there since who knows when!  I am so guilty of this.  It's like I have some sort of attachment to my beauty items....even the products that I rarely use, and in some cases, never use!  Sad, huh?  Well, I know that I am not alone and since makeup companies are not required to post expiration warnings on their labels, I thought I would help you out a bit.

Please keep in mind that unopened, well-formulated cosmetic products can remain in fairly good condition for a couple of years at room temperature.  However, when you open the product and the air hits the formula, certain ingredients start to degrade and bacteria begins to grow.  Not to mention, every time you touch your makeup you transfer germs to them which can spread, fester and infect everything it touches...YIKES!  And although convenient, the bathroom is not the ideal place to store your cosmetics.  Heat and humidity promote the growth of mold and yeast.....a more ideal place would be a cool, dry linen closet.

With that said, here is a quick guide on the shelf life of your typical beauty products (in alphabetical order).  Bear in mind that this is just a guideline.  If your products start to smell, separate, change color or texture then chances are it is time to throw them out!

BLUSH


Since it does not contain water, Blush can usually last for up to 2 years.  Cream blush, however, should be discarded after a year.  Cleaning your blush brush regularly will prolong the life of your blush!  It is best to wait a couple of minutes after applying foundation or moisturizer before putting on blush.  The oils cling to the bristles and will transfer to blush causing a dull gray film to form on powder formulas or a white, chalky layer on cream formulas.

CONCEALER

With concealers, a tell-tale sign that it has gone bad is when the color starts to shift or change.  But overall, concealers in a pod or in stick form can last for up to two years. Whereas, concealers in liquid form or wand form should be tossed out after one year.  Your money is better spent on a compact, squeeze tube or push up style concealer.

EYELINER


Liquid liners should be replaced every three months because, like mascara, bacteria tend to flourish in liquid-eyeliner tubes. Also, when liquid liners begin to go bad, they will dry out and become flaky. Pencil liners have a longer shelf life because each time you sharpen them, you create a fresh, clean surface.  A pencil liner can last 2-3 years!  Just be sure to regularly sanitize your sharpen with rubbing alcohol.  And if you have used your liner while experiencing an eye infection, you should probably toss it to be on the safe side.  Wouldn't want you to re-infect your eyes!

EYE SHADOW


Cream shadows should be tossed after six months.  Powder shadows, on the other hand, have a shelf life of approximately two years.  Like pressed powders, powder shadows are less prone to contaminate because they lack water.  However, if you wet them, you should probably toss after six months!  Aging shadows will have performance issues.  They get packed down, making it harder to pick up pigment with your brush.

FACE POWDER

Like Blush, Face Powders have longevity.  Bacteria can't grow where there is no water and so face powders tend to last up to two years!  However, some powders contain small amounts of water from botanical extracts such as chamomile, oat extract, aloe, green-tea extracts and bamboo.  If your powder contains one or more of these ingredients, there is a risk of it growing bacteria if you leave it in a damp environment like your bathroom.  Also, powders containing botantical  ingredients become harder to blend and more likely to crumble as the trace amounts of water begins to evaporate.

FOUNDATION


Most foundations are water based (except for the powder formulas) making them prone to bacteria.  Once the seal is broken or the package is open, foundation can last up to one year for water based formulas and 18 mos for oil-based.  (You will know if your foundation is water-based or oil-based if the first ingredient  listed on the product is water or oil.)  As a foundation ages, oils rises to the top, thickening the consistency and causing it to go on unevenly creating a streaky finish.  If you notice a change in color and/ or smell it is probably best to assume that it has expired.  Applying old foundation can cause irritation or breakouts!

LIPSTICK AND LIP GLOSS


Lipstick and gloss should generally be thrown out after a year or two.  Lipsticks tend to dry out with age, making it hard to spread the pigment on your lips.  While lip gloss will feel globby when you try to apply it.  If either of these products begin to smell rancid, it is probably spoiled and needs to be thrown out.  In addition, if you have recently been sick, you should think about replacing your lipstick with a new one to prevent being re-infected!  TIP:  If you store your lipstick in the refrigerator, it will last longer.

MASCARA


This is the one makeup item which expires the fastest.  You should probably replace your mascara after 4 mos!  A mascara tube is a dark, wet environment which is perfect breeding ground for bacteria.  This is the main reason why you should be diligent about replacing this beauty item.  As the brush is taken out, applied and put back in the tube, it brings with it any bacteria that has been collected along the way.  This lingering bacteria can cause redness and itchiness and possibly even sties & pink-eye (conjunctivitis)!  TIP:  If you don't want your mascara to expire faster than it's shelf life, avoid pumping the wand.  The pushes air into the tube causing it to dry out faster.

NAIL POLISH


One good thing about nail polish is that it will not go bad from bacteria!  Nail polish generally last from one to two years, depending on the quaility.  As polish gets old, it will dry out and become thick and gooey.  And often times you will notice that the pigment has settled along the bottom of the bottle.  Try shaking it and if it remains separated....it's a wrap!  TIP:  Formulas are sensitive  to temperature and humidity so avoid storing your bottles in the bathroom.

Hope this helps! :)

XOXO

~Tiaja

January 23, 2012

Product Review: Nicki Minaj OPI Nail Lacquer Collection



The highly anticipated Nicki Minaj OPI Collection hit the stores earlier this month with 6 new colors  (3 creme polishes, 2 glitters and a new shade of Shatter) embodying the over-the-top personality of it's namesake.  When I first heard that Ms. Minaj was teaming up with OPI, the first thing that came to mind was OUTLANDISH!  However, I was pleasantly surprised with the color selection.  With names like "Super Bass Shatter", "Metallic 4 Life" & "Fly", this collection is cute, flirty and fun with my personal favorite being "Pink Friday"!

"Pink Friday" is the opaque, bubble-gum pink shade that I have been searching for high and low!  I absolutely LOVE this polish and thanks to Nailtiques (see my previous blog post) and my Manicurist, Cindy, I can not stop looking at my nails.  There is something very girly yet very adult about this shade of pink that makes it truly irresistible.  And the compliments are never-ending (see swatch below)! ;)

Me wearing Pink Friday! <3

So far, Pink Friday is the only polish in the collection that I have tried out.  And because of this, the swatches that I used below are courtesy of The Polish Aholic.

"Fly" is a pretty shade a teal that I am kind of eager to try.  It is a definite Spring-y color that I will try on my toes first and then possibly on my hands (not sure it would fly at the office...no pun intended!). 



"Did It On 'Em" is a yellow-y green shade which I was initially drawn to and will definitely try in the near future.  This shade is almost on the neon side and is definitely a fun shade that will be perfect of the Spring & Summer.  I can just picture walking on the beach or in the grass with this color on my toes!



"Metallic 4 Life" is a black base with a mixture of silver hex & square glitter.  This one is pretty Bad Ass and perfect for a night out on the town or when you are wanting to channel your inner-Rock Star!



"Save Me" has a clear base with silver glitter and blue & holographic confetti mixed in.  I am not really feeling the confetti look as I prefer the glitter polishes better.  However, I think this polish would pretty cool layered on top of another color.


And last but not least is "Super Bass Shatter".  This a metallic magenta shatter which is a slight variation of the usual matte finishes of  most shatter polishes.  While I think shatter polishes are fun, I was never a true fan.  I have tried it a few times but the novelty wore off for me a LONG time ago. As you will notice in the picture below, "Super Bass" has a slight glitter to it which a nice touch!



The Nicki Minaj OPI Collection is in stores now and can be purchased at selected beauty supply stores and even online at Amazon.com.  And I must say that this collection appears to be doing VERY well....so if you see a shade that you like, you better act fast as this is sure to sell out!


XOXO

~Tiaja

January 6, 2012

Saving Face....Buh Bye, Pimples!


For the past week I have been contemplating on what my next blog topic would be.  I mean really racking my brain!  And this morning, I awoke to the North Star on my forehead & instantly reached for Peter Thomas Roth's Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash; giving me an "Ah Ha" moment.  Why not write about a product that I swear by and have been using for years?  That's what blogging is all about right, sharing thoughts, opinions and in this case...beauty secrets!

I rarely cheat on LaMer but when I wake up with a huge zit anywhere on my face, I am definitely moonlighting with this Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash!  Around the time that I turned 30, I discovered Adult Acne...or should I say it discovered me.  I never really had a problem with my skin except for the occasional breakout here and there.  So, it came as a complete shock when I began to breakout more regularly as an adult.  I was cheerleading at this time and i'm sure the fact that I was wearing makeup more than normal contributed to my acne issues.  But the bottom-line was that I had to deal with it and QUICK!  I tried going to an Aesthetician on a regular basis which really helped me out alot. However, it was hurting my pockets!  This is when I discovered Peter Thomas Roth's Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash and was thoroughly impressed with the results.


Most acne medications are geared to target teenage oily-skin which is a bad choice for adults who tend to have drier skin.  The Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash is oil-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free and gentle enough to give you a deep cleanse without over drying your skin.  At the first sign of a pimple, I use this wash and my annoying little friend is significantly smaller, if not gone, the next day!  Now granted, my breakouts are generally not that bad.  I usually get a pimple here and there especially during that wonderful time of the month.  But who wants to be bothered with pimples??  Not me!  Which is why this product comes highly recommended.  Everyone's skin is different and I would suggest that you get a sample and try it first before you buy.  Although, I think you will be pleasantly surprised just as I was!

You can purchase Peter Thomas Roth's Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash on their website, http://www.peterthomasroth.com/, ULTA and Sephora.  It retails for $35.

XOXO

~Tiaja