So You Want To Be A Product Junkie? - This Is What You Need To Know

So you want to be a product junkie? We get it! When you see all the articles titled “How To Avoid Being A Product Junkie,” “Be Free From The Product Junkie Addiction,” “Struggling As A Product Junkie,” and more.

You would think that being a product junkie is a mental disorder or something that needs a cure. Let me tell you that there is nothing wrong with being a product junkie! Yes, a product junkie may have certain flaws that we tend to write off as “wasteful with money” but if you want to purchase products and try them out do not let the blogs stop you.

So what, you love to purchase product after product before having any empties. Okay, so your closet and bins resemble a local hair care store. Guess what? At least you will have a product review on each product to advise others and products to swap/sell. I say that is surely a double win for the product junkie.

However, even though a product junkie has a plethora of products under her belt, there are a couple of things you need to know many of which surround the expiration date.

Keep track of the noted expiration date

The expiration date is usually a number with the letter “M” beside it (month) on an open container icon at the bottom of the product.

This icon encourages the user to toss the hair product, according to the expiration date. When I first learned how to read product labels, I noticed this icon and had no clue what that meant. Honestly, I did not know products had expiration dates. Yes, that’s silly to even think about but true. I did research on it and realized that symbol was the ultimate importance of the product.

Keep track of the date the product was purchased

There are some products don’t have dates. Although, you won’t have the information to know when the product was made or how long the product was on the shelf, but you do have a good rule of thumb. Jot down the date in your hair diary on when the product was purchased and use the max of 12 months as the expiration date. This will make determining the expiration date so much easier for you.

Note any change to the product

When using your hair products, note any change to any of them during your hair care regimen. For example, aloe vera juice*/gel (Lily of the Desert or organic) is to remain in the refrigerator to keep mold at bay. If you forgot to put your aloe Vera away for a few weeks, that is a big change to the expiration of the product.

You may have gotten water in your deep conditioner* by accident, which can have an effect on the longevity of the product. Also, take note of the look and smell of the product.

If the product looks or smells bad, then it most likely needs to be thrown out. Some products may be a bit tough to judge if it already smells or looks a certain way. Use your best judgment. Taking these notes and checking for change in your products will help determine any change in the expiration date and also the effectiveness of the product.

Products do lose effectiveness over time

Products can lose effectiveness over time. When you first purchase the product you love, it can and will have your curls popping on the regular! However, in month 11 your product may not give your hair the hold and freshness it had before. Over the lifespan of the product, it will lose its effectiveness it is suppose to have.

Active and featured ingredients in hair care products do get dull over time and the preservatives in the products wear off after a while. However, if you love a product so much, it may not last until month 11 anyways!!

Product junkie, my advice to you is to keep an eye on the products you purchase and use. Keep your product list in your hair diary up to date with any changes made, as well.

I understand that you paid good money for your hair products and don’t want to throw out products that are still full. However, if the container was last used a year or so ago, it is time to throw the product out. Don’t make the mistake of holding on to your hair care product past the expiration date, or you will spot disgusting mold or discoloration in there!

A good tip to remember is to toss your hair care product out after 1-2 year after being opened and 3 years if it has never been opened. Knowing the expiration date of your hair care products is very important in a hair care regimen. Know and mindful about how long you keep your hair products!