Peter Walsh's Organizing Ideas for Every Room in Your Home

All makeup has an expiration date. Sometimes it is stamped on the product itself, sometimes on the packaging. Regardless, most makeup goes bad in six months. A good rule of thumb is that the closer the product is used to the eyes, the shorter its lifespan. Mascaras go bad after about four months, while lotions generally last about 12 months, and perfume has a shelf life of three years. Some perfume bottles have a manufacturer's code listed on the bottom. This code might look something like AJ6549. The last number indicates the year in which the perfume was made. In this case, the perfume was likely manufactured in 2009—hopefully not 1999—so it would be good until 2012. It is always best to check with the manufacturer of the cosmetic if you are unsure of its use-by date.