Expiry date for paint?

Speaking of marketing tools I'm not sure if this is just another one or not. Some FP companies suggest that you use the paint within 1 year- 18 months. Is there an expiry date on paint? Most of you probably do so much painting that your paint never gets that old anyway.

Thanks

Judy

hmmm... I've had a thing of black that I know I've had at least two years... and it seems the same to me... but I'll probly throw it out if I don't use it up this year... I'm pretty sure that most things have a shelf life, that's just the nature of products.

I don't see how it would go bad if it's water based? (oils go rancid)

I was under the impression that opened paint can lose anti-bacterial properties if used after the manufacturer's recommended expiry. Can't remember where I read this.
Some paints are more than others.

Glenda

what is anti bacterial about paint? (just curious, I really know nothing about paint!)

I can't say for sure about all these questions posed but do know that Snaz will loose its pop after a while. You can add a bit of glycerin(and really just a bit) that you get at a pharmacy will give it a bit of life.

I would say if you have some colors that lie around a lot, trade them or use them for your practice. You'll be amazed what you'll discover. I had some complexion pink of Snaz(peach skin color) that I NEVER used and started using it up when teaching spiderman instead of my precious white. It really looked quite nice as Spiderman's eyes.

If you have colors that you want to use up, list them and ask for suggestions.

April, Snazaroo paints have antibacterial agents built into them.

ah, I see. what is the ingredient that makes it anti bacterial though? (I will have to check into it and if they have an ingredient list too for those with allergies..) I'll post back if I find out! Or if anyone knows post it here!

Definitely! Check the Snazaroo site. Gary is just about as prolific a writer as any out there, you're bound to find the answers to all of you questions on the site!

I think maybe Heather Timmons said something in a past thread about parabenes in the paint. I'll try and find it.

Glenda

EDIT:
Here is the thread I was looking for. Lone wolf and Heather both mention it.

http://www.facepaintforum.com/general-face-painting-f1/face-paint-recall-t588.htm

I try to avoid parabenes!

Smell and look at your paint. If it smells and look/fell different than usual, it has gone bad. Else it is fine. I don't think I have ever thrown a facepaint away because it has gone bad. (and some I have for many years). I just let them dry out between use.

I've got 12 year old Kryolan and 9 year old Snaz... and that doesn't make me a bad person does it??? The Kryolan is in my little split cakes now (except for the yellow that crumbled into a useless mess) and the Snaz are the yucky colours that are in my workshop/theatre use palettes...

The anti-bacterial in the paints is just to stop mould from growing - it does nothing to stop the paints being contaminated by other things like viruses, irritants, chemicals....

Thanks, Shannon for that info.

Glenda

I would not consider paint expiring. If it did, the manufactures would notify a date to prevent any mishaps.

I was a theatrical makeup artist for years and pretty much all makeup, water, cream, oil or fat based will go bad.

As someone said, Smell is a bit indicator, but dating your paint when you put it into use would be a good idea for your own purposes.

Dry makeup, as in dry pancake, will probably last longer than anything.

The makeups that are dry-ish, Wolfe for instance, should last a long time depending on how it is treated. Ie- do you paint with zero contamination, or do you allow a brush to go back to the paint after it has touched someone's face. Do you keep it cool. Do you make sure it is dry before covering it up. Do you clean and sterilize the inside of the lids etc.

Wet cake makeups Ie Kryolan aquacolor, is next.

Liquid makeups will have the shortest shelf lives of water based products. (I really would toss em after a year if they have been opened and/or contaminated in any way.)

Theatrical cream makeups can hang around for a couple years if A- sterilized, B- kept cool, C- kept dry and sealed. Again smell will give you a good idea what's going on.

Rubber mask grease paint if not refrigerated should be made fresh when needed, (Mix dry cake ground up with castor oil) or tossed if not used up within a year or less. Because it has castor oil in it and can go rancid fast.

Regular Grease Paint is similar, but has longer shelf life depending on what the base really is. I doubt you'll find the old old old fashioned kind with bacon fat in it any more. LOL!

Pencils are handy as they are sterilized when sharpened (Again as long as you clean the sharpener as well)

I am not OCD honestly, but I usually worked with LARGE casts of make-up intense shows, and keeping everything sanitary was an absolute must. Kind of one of the reasons I am attracted to the idea of airbrush for face painting.

That said- the air brush makeups are either water or alcohol based. Water based will last a year - 2 1/2 years since the makeup only goes in one directions... Ie never from face to bottle. The Alcohol based could last as long or longer as they are alcohol based. Now, no clue how long before the PIGMENT deteriorates, which while it might not create a health concern, it certainly could make the product behave wrong.

Alcohol based paints of course create tons of other health and safety issues and are better not used on face or children.

Graftobian makes a hybred makeup half water half alcohol that I HAVE been using on adult faces with good results. Again should last a long time due to the partial alcohol base.

Dean

Wow.... Everyone watch Dean lay down some wicked knowledge!!!!! Cool!