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Here’s What You Need To Replace In Your Pre-Pandemic Make-Up Kit

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Hasina Khatib

The pandemic of the past two years has left us all with few dressing-up opportunities. And if you are anything like us, your make-up bag was probably lying neglected in a corner while we turned our collective focus to skincare and scalpcare. But as we cautiously step into the next normal, it is time to take a closer look at which products will be stepping with you into the post-pandemic era—and which ones need to be replaced.

Keep It: Foundation

The exact timeline, however, lies in your choice of formula. If your preference runs towards liquid foundations, you’ll need to replace yours every 18 months. However, compact powders are known to be less prone to bacterial contamination and will last you for 24 months.

Toss It: Liquid Eyeliner

Your go-to choice for a winged flick may look and feel the same, but it is advisable to have it replaced every 3-6 months. Since it is applied directly on the eye, you won’t want to risk a bacterial infection by holding on to the same eyeliner for longer than six months.

Keep It: Eyeshadow Palette

If you’ve broken the bank to get that new Huda Beauty palette, the good news is that you won’t need to toss it soon. Powder eyeshadows, similar to compacts, offer better longevity than cream-based formulas that will need to be replaced once every year.

Toss It: Liquid Highlighter

If you haven’t used it in the past year, you unfortunately won’t be able to in the future either—liquid highlighters are known to have a maximum shelf life of one year. Bronzing powders, meanwhile, can stay with you for 24-36 months.

Keep It: Perfume

That big splurge on your favourite scent? Totally worth it because fragrances have the longest shelf life out of every item on your vanity shelf. Known to last for anywhere between three to five years, you can also choose to prolong its shelf life by storing it out of direct sunlight.

Toss It: Lipstick

We all have a go-to shade that makes us feel like we can take on the world, and if you got a new bullet of your favourite shade at some point between the first and the second wave, you are safe. But if it’s from the pre-pandemic era, it has a date with the wastebin as lipsticks can only last till 18 months.