
When was the last time you replaced your mascara?
You may be holding on to it longer than you should.
According to Yahoo, New Idea’s fashion and beauty director Sally Nolan recently came across an Adelaide grandmother who believes using a 20-year-old mascara has made her go blind.
Unaware that makeup products like mascara have an expiry date, Shirley Potter contracted an eye infection after using mascara she had sitting in her drawer for over two decades.
She is now expected to fully lose her vision in the next three years.
Just as it’s not a good idea to eat expired food, expired makeup can expose your eyes, lips and face to bacteria and even infection, like in Shirley’s case.
Here’s a guide on when you should replace your beauty products.
The PAO symbol
Your number one guide is the Period After Opening (PAO) symbol.

The PAO symbol features on many products, indicating the product's exact shelf life after opening.
So if the symbol says 12M, it means that product has a shelf life of 12 months after opening.
Mascara
Mascara should be binned every three to six months. Yes, months.
While you may not have gotten to the end of the tube, it's best to avoid using mascara once you reach this point to avoid infection.
Oh, and stop pumping your mascara – it lets air into the tube, causing the product to dry out and creating a breeding ground for bacteria. No thanks.
Read more: Meghan Markle’s go-to mascara costs less than $10. Grab. Your. Wallet.
Eyeliner
Liquid eyeliner only lasts about six to eight months.
On the other hand, a pencil has a shelf life of one year.