CARGO Answers The Question: When Does My Lipgloss Expire?

If you're a long-term reader of Raging Rouge, you'll know I've visited the topic of makeup expiration more than once. But still beauty lovers everywhere wonder just when that favorite gloss belongs in the circular file.

The problem isn't a lack of hygiene or cleanliness. Even if you decide to purge your gloss after the recommended nine months… how on earth would one track the age of every gloss in their makeup bag? I LOVE gloss, and own so many that to track the age of each would require a journal and an extraordinary amount of free time. Luckily, this type of investment is no longer necessary!

CARGO Cosmetics has recently introduced glosses in packaging that incorporates cutting-edge Timestrip® technology. Timestrip® is a tiny strip embedded in the cap of the gloss. It's so easy to use! When you've opened the gloss for the first time, just insert the Timestrip card into the slot in the cap. As your gloss ages, the Timestrip will turn red. When the entire strip is red, it's time to buy a new gloss.

Click HERE to check out CARGO Classic Lip Gloss with Timestrip at Sephora

Click HERE to check out CARGO Classic Lip Gloss with Timestrip at Beauty.com

CARGO Timestrip® Lip Glosses are available for spring 2009 and include:

CARGO Classic Lip Gloss ($22) The same classic CARGO Lip Gloss formulation favored by make-up artists and celebrities is now packaged with a convenient Timestrip® component so you can monitor its freshness. What’s more, the iconic, award-winning and non-sticky CARGO Classic Lip Gloss formula is now paraben-free. Available in eight gorgeous colors:

Dusseldorf – Shimmering Iced Amethyst

Venice – Sparkling Ruby

Alexandria – Shimmering Dusty Rose

Tobago – Tropical Melon

Big Sur – Deep Begonia

Cyprus – Sheer Electric Strawberry

Whistler – Delicate Peach

Luxor – Spiced Cinnamon Latte

blu_ray™ Lip Gloss ($24) Developed for high-definition filming, blu_ray™ Lip Gloss provides fuller, smoother looking lips. The innovative formula contains hyaluronic acid spheres and a peptide chain to plump lips and smooth out fine lines. blu_ray™ Lip Gloss also improves lip elasticity, comfort and hydration. Transparent pearl pigments ensure an even color payoff. Available in seven luscious colors:

Belize – Warm Sunny Pink

Panama – Muted Raspberry

Halifax – Palest Peach Blush

Bogota – Rich Red Plum

Vermont – Golden Café Latte

Laredo – Shimmering Nude

Montego – Classic Rose

CARGO Cosmetics encourages women everywhere to take a few tips from the pros when it comes to keeping their cosmetics fresh:

Store your cosmetics in a safe place with a consistent temperature. Exposure to extreme hot or cold can compromise your products’ safety and efficacy.

Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before putting your fingers into a product.

Clean or replace your brushes and applicators regularly.

Use a cotton swab when applying make-up to a blemish.

Put your contact lenses in before you apply your make-up. Not only is it easier to see what you are doing, but also you will keep your lenses clean and avoid infection.

Prevent infections from returning. Stop using eye make-up if you have an eye infection and lip products if you have a cold sore.

When in doubt, do a smell test. Squeeze out a dab of the product and take a sniff. If it doesn’t smell right to you, toss it.

Like what you just read? Be sure to head to the Raging Rouge Beauty Blog homepage for more makeup reviews, product swatches and beauty news.