How to know when it's time to replace old beauty products

(ARA) - From the first day she applies new lipstick or inaugurates a new bottle of facial cleanser, every American woman is headed toward the same dilemma. How long will that lipstick tube last? Does the razor you used twice and then forgot about for a couple months have some life left? When is cleanser too old to be effective?

Many of us are unsure when beauty products expire - or even if they do at all. Consequently, we may wind up holding on to partial bottles and remnants of products because we're not sure of their usefulness. The arrival of warm weather is a great time to purge.

Cleaning out old beauty products can be emotionally cathartic, and spare you from using expired items that may potentially irritate your skin or that just don't work anymore. Plus, tossing the old opens up opportunities for discovering great new cosmetics, beauty items and skin care products. Here's some advice to get you started:

Cosmetics

Because cosmetic products are used on some very germ-laden areas of our bodies, like around the eyes, nose and mouth, they can breed bacteria. Therefore, they don't have an indefinite shelf-life. The usable life of some common cosmetics are:

* Mascara and liquid eyeliner - three months

* Cream eye shadows -- three to four months

* Powder shadows -- six months if you don't reuse the applicator; three to four when reusing applicators

* Liquid, cream or powder foundation - one year if regularly applied with a new sponge or puff; six months if applied with fingertips.

* Cream and gel blush -- six months. Powder blushes - about a year

Once you've purged old cosmetics you'll be ready to restock with some of the season's hottest new colors and products.

Skin care products

Skin care products can also be susceptible to bacteria growth over time, so if you don't finish a product within a few months, keep an eye on how long you've had it. Discard products like moisturizers, concealers and toners that contain skin nutrients like vitamin C or alpha hydroxy acids after they've been open for about 12 months. Those active ingredients can lose their effectiveness after a year.

Exposure to moisture, air, direct sunlight and extreme temperatures can all affect the ingredients in skin care products, so store them in a cool, dry spot out of direct sunlight. And if a product separates or smells differently than it did when you first opened it, discard it right away.

Once you clear out old cleansers and moisturizers, reward your hard work by trying something new, like Olay Professional Pro-X Cleansers, which offer exfoliating and cream formulas. Both are designed to purify and renew skin for a refreshed, smooth texture. Or, pamper dry skin in areas that often get overlooked, like under your arms. Secret Soothing Effects antiperspirants and deodorants use soy and acai berry to soothe sensitive skin and hydrate that underappreciated skin under your arms.

Shaving products

Warm weather means getting a good shave is more important than ever for anyone who wants to wear shorts, tanks, miniskirts or bathing suits. Old shaving products, like razors and creams, not only become a breeding ground for bacteria, they can also leave your legs looking like you've been through a battle.

Depending on how often you shave, a razor should last a couple of weeks or a little longer. A good rule of thumb is to discard disposable razors when the moisture strip on top wears off. If a blade is visibly rusty, toss it immediately. To avoid rust problems, don't leave your razor in the shower where it will repeatedly get wet every time someone showers.

Gather up old razors and any leftover shaving products older than a year and trash them. Then, treat yourself to a new shaving experience by trying Venus Embrace, a woman's razor that gives a close, comfortable shave using five spring-mounted blades surrounded by a protective ribbon of moisture.

Cleaning out old cosmetics and skin care products can help you feel and look better this season. Plus, it's great inspiration to reward your cleaning efforts by trying something new.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Organic Food and Beauty Items Still Not Mainstream According to Leading Marketing Research Firm

GBB Note: There always seems to be stories prompting us to go "organic." The idea is great, but perhaps the industry as a whole needs to reassess the high consumer costs that go hand in hand with the word organic. Going all natural is tough in these economic times. I believe environmentally conscious women are willing to listen if a viable solution is offered....

/PRNewswire/ -- Despite all of the attention from the media and consumer products manufacturers, Organic Foods and Beauty Care items have still not gained mainstream acceptance by American consumers according to a recently released study by TABS Group, a leading Marketing Research and Consulting firm in the Consumer Products Industry. "There is a significant gap between the hype and reality of consumer purchase behavior with regards to Organic products," states TABS Group President and Founder, Dr. Kurt Jetta. "Less than 40% of Adults claim to have purchased anything from the major Organic categories in the last six months."

According to the study, Organic Fresh Fruit had the highest purchase incidence at 27%, with Organic Fresh Vegetables close behind at 26%. Organic Dairy Products, Eggs and Milk, were cited for purchase by 18% and 17% of US Adults, respectively. Frozen Organic products -- Vegetables, Fruit and Ice Cream -- had low purchase levels at 5-6%. Purchase levels for Organic Beauty Care products also had very low mainstream acceptance with stated purchase for Organic Skincare at 5% and Organic Hair Care and Cosmetics at 4% and 3%, respectively. By contrast, non-Organic products for all of the above categories have household penetration levels of well above 70%.

"The findings are consistent with trends we have been tracking in retailer sales data," commented Dr. Jetta. "Very few of these products have meaningful sales levels in traditional mass market retailers, even the ones that are very strong in the Natural Food and Specialty channels."

Dr. Jetta goes on to say that while a few retailers have had success with Organic products, most of the ones that have invested heavily in this trend will see a poor return on that investment. "Most of the sales growth in these channels has been driven by increased selection of Organic products rather than any inherent growth in consumer appeal."

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Five Anti-Aging Tips Under $5

(NAPSI)-Let's face it. A youthful appearance often comes at a price, and in these tough economic times, many are slowing down on their spending. A recent consumer confidence poll indicates that 59 percent of women have cut spending on cosmetics and 55 percent decreased their skin care purchases.

But according to celebrity makeup artist and beauty consultant Mickey Williams, one need not sacrifice beauty to save some bucks. While many celebrity clients pay hundreds to look like a million, she says similar results can be achieved with $5 or less.

"By simply changing a beauty technique or looking at products beyond the medicine cabinet, you can make a real difference in achieving a more youthful appearance at a reasonable price," said Williams. "Also, beauty buys can be had at your local drugstore. For example, Blistex Deep Renewal is a new lip treatment that contains advanced ingredients found in high-end anti-aging products, but at a fraction of the cost."

For those who want to dip into the fountain of youth without getting soaked in high costs, Williams suggests the following five anti-aging tips for under $5:

• Raid your pantry. People underestimate the aging power of stained teeth. Many teeth-whitening products are available, but nothing is more affordable and effortless in restoring your pearly whites than baking soda. Simply mix baking soda with water or your favorite minty toothpaste and brush right onto your teeth.

• Give some lip service. A slip from lips isn't the only thing that can reveal age. Fine lines and wrinkles on lips add years to the face. Keep lips looking young by moisturizing them regularly with lip balm containing SPF-15 sun protection. Also consider looking for an anti-aging lip product, such as Blistex Deep Renewal, that offers hyaluronic acid to improve skin condition and give lips a fuller appearance, and co-enzyme Q-10 for moisturization and overall revitalization. It's clinically proven to reduce the length and depth of lines and wrinkles on lips.

• Lighten up. White eyeliner eliminates the red rim that creates a tired and aged look. Gently apply a white or beige liner to the inner rim of eyes for an immediate pick-me-up and eye brightener.

• Tame the tweezing. Not only are fuller, thicker eyebrows all the rage this season, they also push the rewind button on an overall look. If brows are over-tweezed or thin by nature, use a light blond or taupe pencil-regardless of skin color-to create an illusion of a light shadow for a more natural look.

• Use concealer correctly. Using a lightweight concealer as a spot corrector is one of the best ways to hide bags and discoloration and ultimately erase years from your appearance.

"Spending less never looked so good," said Williams. "Smart shopping and correct application are things of beauty, especially in these tough economic times."

For more information on lip care tips, visit Blistex.com.

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