My husband and I moved this weekend. All last week I have been packing stuff at night and hauling it to work, and I drive straight to our new home after quitting time to unload and unpack. It’s been quite a week! Although moving is a pain, I do enjoy sorting out my belongings, throwing away the old and donating items that I haven’t used in years.

I didn't touch my vanity until the very end because I knew that I, like many women, kept too many cosmetics for far too long. You know you do it, too. There are certain colors and products we wear every day, and we use all of it quickly. Then there are those shades and pieces that we don’t use often but keep for special occasions, to wear with certain outfits or to have “just in case.” We all know it’s a beauty no-no, but how can we know when it is time to trash the stash?

After the first use, there is a period after opening in which a product is safest and most effective. Makeup does not get better with age. The FDA says that expiration dates on cosmetics are a rule of thumb, and depending on how your make-up is stored, it could last longer or go bad sooner. Makeup exposed to moisture and/or high temperatures is more likely to harvest bacteria. (Yuck!) If any of your cosmetics start to change color or consistency, you really ought to toss it and buy a new one. Otherwise, here are a few guidelines:

Mascara needs to be disposed-of after three months. If your mascara dries-out, do not add water, especially not saliva. This creates a breeding ground for bacteria!

Powders, pressed or loose, are anhydrous (water free), so they can stay good for a couple years.

Cleansers and Moisturizers have properties that can go bad over time, so don’t keep them for longer than six months.

Multi-use Products that come in contact with lips, eyes and cheeks can spread germs, so replace them after around three months.

Pencils can last for at least two years, so long as you do not wet the tip.

Lipstick is generally good for at least two years.

Brushes should be washed regularly, and if properly cared for, they can last for many years.

So, there is a cat bully in my apartment complex, a cat who bullies other kitties, not a person who is mean to cats (that would be just plain terrible). There goes the neighborhood!  My husband is gravely concerned. Fur has flown on our patio (mostly our cat Tybee’s), and the bully scratched my poor kitten’s nose! What’s this got to do with beauty?  Simple. Unlike this malicious feline, Pür Minerals is not a cat bully, or a bully to any animal for that matter. That’s just not how we roll. 

While browsing PürMinerals.com for your shopping and blogging needs, have you ever noticed the heart-shaped bunny at the bottom of the site?  If not, scroll down and take a look – it’s the PETA logo. That logo is PETA’s cruelty-free stamp of approval, meaning Pür Minerals does not test its products on animals.

Did you know that animal testing is not required for cosmetics, but over one million animals are still subjected to experimentation every year? The FDA urges manufacturers to conduct all necessary tests to prove a product is safe, but using animals is not mandatory. As a matter of fact, there are many safe, accurate and cost effective ways to ensure a product is ready to be on the market without using any of our furry friends as guinea pigs. Epidemiological data, computer models, in-vitro cell cultures, synthetic membranes and even human studies can be great alternatives to using animals for short term toxicity tests and skin irritation and corrosion tests. There’s no need to slather lipstick on Tybee’s second cousin. 

Over 700 companies have committed to PETA’s Caring Consumer humane testing policies.   Not all skin care companies can offer cruelty-free products, but Pür Minerals does. As you apply our powders to your face, jazz-up your eyes with our shadows and pencils, and use our skin care products, you should be proud to know that these products were not tested on animals. Like Tybee says, it’s Beauty – “Pürr” and Simple. 

For more information about companies that do not test on animals, tips on cruelty-free living, and animal testing in general, feel free to click the little bunny and visit CaringConsumer.com.