Do lipsticks & mascara expire? How long you can keep your makeup for

The ugly side of beauty products is that they can be breeding grounds for bacteria, so it's important to clean out your makeup bag on a regular basis.

Not sure what to toss and what to stash? This simple guide will help you work out whether that mascara, lipstick or nail polish is past its prime, or if you can hang on to your faves a little longer.

Plus try our expert tips for cleaning your makeup brushes and sponges.

TOSS AFTER 3 MONTHS: MASCARAS AND EYELINERS

When it comes to deciding which makeup to get rid of when doing a spring clean, eye makeup such as mascaras and liners are the first to go.

Due to them being applied very close to the eye, and the moist, dark tubes being a breeding ground for bacteria, it's important to ensure that eye makeup is kept hygienic to prevent bacteria build-up and reduce the risk of eye infections.

TOSS AFTER 6 MONTHS: PENCILS

Pencils should be sharpened after every use to minimise the transfer of bacteria and prolong the lifespan of the pencil.

Pencils can last six months if sharpened regularly but if they start to dry out, they should be replaced sooner.

TOSS AFTER 10 MONTHS: CREAM FORMULATIONS

Ensure that cream formulas are applied with a brush or decanted onto the back of the hand or a palette before being applied to the face.

Cream formulas can easily harbour bacteria as they are a moist environment for them to breed.

STASH FOR UP TO 1 YEAR: FOUNDATIONS, LIPSTICKS, POWDERS

These should be tossed and replaced if they develop any splitting in their formula or a strange odour or colour. Oil-free foundations tend to last longer as they have less oil than oily formulas, which tend to split or expire quickly.

STASH FOR UP TO 2 YEARS: NAIL POLISHES

Nail polishes generally keep quite well but need to be thrown out as soon as their formula changes. If your nail polish starts to get clumpy, split or dry out, it is time to let it go.

When repacking your nail polishes, a great way to store them is to paint a swatch of the colour on a white label on the top of the lid to make finding your shade easier.

CLEAN ONCE A WEEK: MAKEUP BRUSHES

Clean brushes once a week using a brush cleanser or baby shampoo as a cleansing agent:

• Dispense a small amount of shampoo and work in one direction into the bristles of the brush and rinse. Repeat until all the makeup residue has been removed from the brush.
• If using a professional brush cleanser, spray a small amount onto the bristles and wipe on a paper towel until the makeup residue has been removed.
• Place the brushes on a towel and cover the brush heads with a piece of paper towel to allow all the water to be absorbed.

For a deep clean, mix some shampoo in a bowl of warm water and place the brushes in the bowl to soak.

CLEAN AFTER EVERY USE: MAKEUP SPONGES

Sponges should be washed after every use. Use a bit of micellar water to remove any stubborn makeup stains and build-up on the sponge before cleaning with baby shampoo.