Question for mineral makeup users

soonersis · ‎08-12-2010

I'm going back to wearing mineral makeup as my two-year experience with liquid foundation and BB creams is not working for my oily skin and is settling in my fine lines at the end of the day. Mineral makeup wears better on me even though it doesn't have as much coverage.

My question for those of you using minerals is concerning its expiration. I found some foundation that had never been opened but was purchased 4 years ago and some that had been purchased 2 years ago. I wrote the customer service department about this matter and was told that even though it only contains minerals and therefore could last forever, it was better to keep out of light (which I do) and only keep for 2 years. I hate to throw it away just because of its age if it wouldn't hurt to still use it. And I have many eye shadows and blushes that since I have only used a little bit at a time are probably much older than 2 years. I started using minerals in 2006. Is the advice being given accurate, overly cautious, or self-serving, hoping I will just buy more?

I would appreciate any opinions about this matter from those of you who use minerals. BTW, I am not talking about Bare Minerals.

ennui1 · ‎06-23-2013

I think this fuss about expiration dates is overly cautious and self-serving.

I have lots of old shadows and blushes, they seem fine to me. They still wear the same, have the same consistency, no color change.

If it were me, I'd use the product that's never been opened and not give it another thought.

krissie622 · ‎04-21-2014

I second what Ennui1 said. I have BE products that are over a decade old, and I use them occasionally with no problem. When a "moist" cosmetic goes bad - lipstick, foundation, etc. - it's very obvious. Dry cosmetics I have no concern with, unless you get them goopy or something. I firmly believe that a lot of these expiration dates are because they are possibly required, but mostly because the cosmetic companies would LOVE it if we threw everything away and started new on a regular basis.

ginabfly · ‎05-02-2013

I agree too, if you don't see anything obviously wrong I think it should be fine unless it was used in a very unsanitary way. I know you're not talking about bareminerals, but they say that their minerals never expire. The ones with expiration dates have them because of the SPF, and they're required to, but since it's probably physical sunblock I don't think that actually expires as long as it's not a lotion. Pressed products may expire if they're pressed with oils or what not, but if they're loose minerals, you're probably okay.

I think if they look and smell okay they should be fine.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

Ditto for me ...... the cosmetics certainly don't suddenly change or break down on the expiration date and become something else.

Two things I would do with older powders .... First, the good old "smell test". If it smells weird, just toss it.

Second, try rubbing some of the "questionable" powder makeup on your and or forearm and see if it does anything odd to your skin. If not, I would say it's good to go. ${#emotions_dlg.thumbup}$

Katluvr58 · ‎02-05-2014

I agree with the other ladies. I have BE from 10 or more years ago that I still use occasionally. I found some bisque from when I moved here in 2005 and I was thrilled to find the old version that was lighter. I used that till it was gone.

myshell624 · ‎02-27-2013

I am pretty sure I remember hearing Leslie Blodgett say that they would not go bad. She said that they had to date the products with spf rating by law. If I had some unopened, I wouldn't hesitate to use them.

depglass · ‎03-10-2010

I have never used up an eye shadow since day one and I've bought plenty of kits in my life. Same goes for blushes. There is nothing wrong with any of them. I started one year after Leslie came to QVC, so that's what, at least 10 years.

Irishrose136 · ‎12-26-2013

Any MU that comes near my eyes I throw out if it's over a year. Pencils don't count because they get sharpened. I'm not a big mascara wearer because my eyes are too sensitive. But when it comes to eyeshadows, I figure better safe than sorry. It's a small cost to pay for the health of my eyes.