Let us be perfectly clear here: lipstick is not lip gloss, lip stain, lip liner, or any other type of non-lipstick, lip-related make-up.
It is a creamy pigment that twists from the bottom of a tube and nearly always comes in a solid-color form.
There is a make-up rule of thumb in the industry that says you should replace your cosmetics at least every 3-4 months.
This is especially important for some types of make-up, but is not necessarily true about lipstick.
If you are especially worried about avoiding illnesses, following this rule might be more comfortable for you - though the possibility of contracting an illness from your lipstick is very low.
Some make-up artists recommend replacing your lipstick every year or so.
This is a generalization that expects you, the consumer, to examine your lipstick and decide for yourself if it is time to replace that tube of lipstick.
You will find that many of your friends have a lipstick left over from high school or some other long-ago measuring point.
If you want to put in the time, check out their make-up and see how the older stuff has fared.
Different factors will affect the life of a lipstick.
Brands, ingredients, and even geography can impact the life of a lipstick.
There is no carved-in-stone limit on the lifespan of a lipstick.
Some things to look for (at any time) that indicate you should replace your lipstick: If your lipstick smells bad, replace it.
If your lipstick has gotten gritty, replace it.
If your lipstick has lost it's 'body' or separates, replace it.
If your lipstick has hardened, replace it.
   How long do lipsticks keep? Lipsticks CAN last just about forever.
When I was a girl, my grandmother still had a stick of lipstick from the...