topic Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold? in Beauty

Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

TangerineDream — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:25:28 GMT

I have a cold but am still applying lipstick daily. Just wondering if you discard yours after a bout with a cold? I am wondering if I am contaminating it. It's a fairly pricy gloss and don't want to waste it but at the same time I don't want to re-infect myself down the road. I will throw away my toothbrush.Thanks.

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

chrystaltree — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:28:09 GMT

No.....but now you have me wondering....

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

Desertdi — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:30:10 GMT

I can't possibly wear lipstick when I have a cold.......but I also have really bad nasal allergies, and hardly ever wear lipstick anyway.

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

songbird — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:30:48 GMT

I haven't because of a cold. I continue to use and there is no effect on me. I do trash all of my makeup every six months.

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

GaGa1960 — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:31:07 GMT

No, but I do clean it off really well with a alcohol pad and also the out side and inside of the tube. I have always done this and never had a problem. I pay to much for lipstick to throw it out.

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

RedTop — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:32:19 GMT

Yes, I do toss any lipstick or lip balm I have used just prior to my illness.

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

suzyQ3 — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:40:01 GMT

No, I do not. If you're concerned, do as GaGa suggested and wipe off the lipstick.

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

NJgirl 1205 — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:42:26 GMT

I spray rubbing alcohol on the lippie and rub down the packing, including my compact and pencils in my bag. Throw out a $50 Tom Ford lipstick just because I had a cold....never!

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

ROMARY — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:47:04 GMT

I don't often get colds, but I would wipe it clean with a tissue after each use. Actually, I recall seeing a segment on LWN (Mirror Mirror or Deals) about applying something (either lemon, or vodka, or vinegar?) to the lipsticks and brushes, makeup. But, don't recall which. I'm guessing it was vodka. But, actually, cleaning lipstick with coconut oil (after tissuing off) might be a good idea, because it's anti microbial, anti fungal, anti bacterial. Yes!! I'd use coconut oil. Less of a chance of ruining the lipstick's qualities. ...........EDITED to include alcohol, as others have stated below.

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

sunshine45 — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:50:14 GMT

no, i dont toss any lip products after i have had a cold (which i rarely get anyways).

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

OneHappyHiker — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:50:28 GMT

Q. Can your toothbrush or lipstick reinfect you after you’ve been sick?
A. It’s not likely. “If you’ve just come out of a cold, don’t toss it,” says Neil Schachter, a professor of pulmonary and critical care at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City. “Once you’ve had a particular viral illness, you’re protected from it.”

Your question had to do with a viral infection. You develop antibodies to that particular strain. The reason sometimes you pass colds back and forth within a family, is because the virus mutates. So the above answer would be something I would take into consideration. I've never gotten sick again with the same cold from my lip products. I would do as suggested and wipe off the applicator and around the top, but I also would stay away from my favorites during my cold lol just to be sure in MY mind

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

HappyDaze — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:51:57 GMT

I don't wear lipstick often but I do wear lipgloss but no, I don't discard them but I can't say that I remember wearing my lipgloss when I am sick. I do wear balms, etc because my lips tend to get dry when I am sick but I don't discard those either. I won't got into all the nitty gritty details but essentially from a scientific standpoint, I am pretty convinced that the normal cold virus would not be able to "live" for any length of time on a lipstick or on a traditional balm. Also, even if it did, the liklieness of you then reinfecting yourself and getting sick is pretty much null since you will still have antibodies from that particular strain in your system. Now perhaps that would be different if you have an auto-immune disease or take meds that lower your immune system but still, common cold viruses aren't real hardy outside of a host (a person), maybe a day at best.

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

OneHappyHiker — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:54:02 GMT

On 2/8/2015 ROMARY 1 said:
I don't often get colds, but I would wipe it clean with a tissue after each use. Actually, I recall seeing a segment on LWN (Mirror Mirror or Deals) about applying something (either lemon, or vodka, or vinegar?) to the lipsticks and brushes, makeup. But, don't recall which. I'm guessing it was vodka. But, actually, cleaning lipstick with coconut oil (after tissuing off) might be a good idea, because it's anti microbial, anti fungal, anti bacterial. Yes!! I'd use coconut oil. Less of a chance of ruining the lipstick's qualities.

I think that's fabulous advice using coconut oil bc of its multiple properties! Until I began reading on all its uses, I had no idea how well it works on so many things!

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

Mrsq2022 — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:58:36 GMT

I love coconut oil! But to answer the OP question - no I don't. I remember years ago (not sure if they still do this) the MAC counter would let you try on lipsticks. They would take the lipstick off the display, dip the entire "bullet" into a jar of rubbing alcohol, then run the tip back and forth against a tissue, handing it to you to try. At the time I did try on lipsticks after this process. Nowadays, if I haven't used a lipstick in a while, I will do this same approach. But coconut oil is probably fine and better for the actual lipstick.

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

Classylady — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:09:07 GMT

If you are worried about transferring the germs, just dip your lippies and toothbrushes in alcohol. It evaporates quickly and leaves no unpleasant taste.

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

suzyQ3 — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:14:53 GMT

On 2/8/2015 CAshopper2011 said: I love coconut oil! But to answer the OP question - no I don't. I remember years ago (not sure if they still do this) the MAC counter would let you try on lipsticks. They would take the lipstick off the display, dip the entire "bullet" into a jar of rubbing alcohol, then run the tip back and forth against a tissue, handing it to you to try. At the time I did try on lipsticks after this process. Nowadays, if I haven't used a lipstick in a while, I will do this same approach. But coconut oil is probably fine and better for the actual lipstick.

Make-up counters still do that today. They will wipe off a product or spray it with alcohol.

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

bluejeansluvr — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:18:07 GMT

No!. I pay too much for my lipstick to do that. It's your germs. lol I am not throwing out a $30 lippie because I have had a cold.

I do throw out my toothbrush if I've had the flu (and I don't use lipstick when I have the flu I am usually at home in bed not wearing makeup). But I replace my toothbrushes every few months anyway. I buy multi packs at Target for DH and I, and I throw them out usually every 2 months or about that.

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

ROMARY — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:18:14 GMT

Yes........now that I'm thinking about it, it could have been alcohol! As long as the strong odor and taste dissipates. Although vodka appeals to me more! Also coconut oil.

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

depglass — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:26:42 GMT

A Walker - a voice of reason. You can't re-infect yourself with your own cold. I think there is much more to worry about re-infecting family members and coworkers with TV remotes, telephones, door knobs, etc.

Re: Do you discard lipstick after a cold?

TangerineDream — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:47:56 GMT

On 2/8/2015 A Walker said:
Q. Can your toothbrush or lipstick reinfect you after you’ve been sick?
A. It’s not likely. “If you’ve just come out of a cold, don’t toss it,” says Neil Schachter, a professor of pulmonary and critical care at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City. “Once you’ve had a particular viral illness, you’re protected from it.”

Your question had to do with a viral infection. You develop antibodies to that particular strain. The reason sometimes you pass colds back and forth within a family, is because the virus mutates. So the above answer would be something I would take into consideration. I've never gotten sick again with the same cold from my lip products. I would do as suggested and wipe off the applicator and around the top, but I also would stay away from my favorites during my cold lol just to be sure in MY mind

Thank you and to everyone who answered my question, great advice.