A survey by the UK College of Optometrists reveals the 92 percent of women are putting their health and appearance at risk by using old makeup.

It’s not generally known that makeup has a sell-by date in most advanced countries. For example :

* Mascara has an expiry date of 3–6 months.
* Liquid and cream foundations, concealer, cleanser, moisturiser, 6–8 months.
* Pressed, loose and compressed powders, eye shadow, blusher, lip gloss, lipstick, toner, 1 year.
* Eye and lip liner, 18 months.

The problem is that these products can be a “hot house” for bacteria which can cause infections when the makeup is applied. The bacteria builds up over time until it becomes dangerous to use. Mascara is a particular problem because the stick used to apply it can scratch the soft tissue surrounding the eye.

The worst offenders, says the study, are women in their 30s and early 40s.

Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric adviser to the college, said, “Mascara can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so it’s not surprising we’ve found nearly half of women suffer from itchy, watery and red eyes when they are holding onto their eye makeup for so long and sharing it among their friends.”

L’Oreal’s Volume Perfect Re-Shaping Lipcolour is a new idea in dual end lip colors. Rather than using a lipliner to reshape lips, L’Oreal uses a Re-shaping Base enriched with a Collagen Complex to smooth the lips of fine lines, moisturize for more fullness and keep lip color where you put it.

The process is the opposite of some dual lipcolors that usually use a longwearing color followed by a topcoat. The top coat is to moisturize because longwearing colors tend to be dryer. Volume Perfect promises that it will not only provide lasting color, but that your lips will be fuller without injections or irritants that cause lips to swell like other lip volumizers.

L’oreal is offering $2 off Volume Perfect for customers at least 16 years of age living in the US. Go to the website for instructions on downloading your $2 coupon. Scroll down and click on Volume Perfect.

Revlon has a unique line of products that are available for a limited time. Here’s one guaranteed to get you nicknamed “sugar lips”.

Sugar Sugar is a sugary, iridescent pearl powder topcoat that decorates lips with a crystal-cut faceted effect. It comes with an applicator to dab on just the right amount to make lips sparkle.

Sugar Sugar is available in five candy colors:

* Snowflake
* Lemon Drop
* Pixie Plum
* Sprinkled Pink
* Periwinkle

One of the great things about Christmas gifts from my daughter is the way she manages to find something very nice that still fits her budget. She has a knack for finding the items that are greatest in value and (dare I say it?) elegance at the trusty dollar store.

This year she picked up a moisture drenched lipstick in a luscious raspberry red, flecked throughout with tiny bits of glitter that shine and catch the light. Unfortunately, it’s a discontinued Aziza lip color so I won’t be able to replace it once it’s gone. Perhaps that adds to the value of it for me; it’s already rare. I am not one who normally goes in for lots of glitter on my lips, but the holiday season isn’t over yet as New Year’s approaches and I may have plans for this little gem-like lip color.

Nevertheless, I so liked the glittery look and imagining how that will catch attention at any New Year’s gathering, I went out in search of something that might work as a substitute for anyone looking for a special shimmer come midnight Dec. 31st.

These Glitter Tube Tints from Bobbi Brown come in a set of three shades. If the picture shows the color faithfully, then the darkest shade on the left is close to what I have. A good choice if you like something light with the sheer quality of a gloss.

The closest contender as a replacement might be Glitter Lipstick by Sephora. There’s a good selection in the shades and it goes on like a lipstick but can be worn over another lipstick or under gloss.