Beauty

[beach-mom]

While going through my drawers I found some old cosmetics. Some have never been opened; some are old favorites. I found some old lipsticks I once couldn't live without, a never-used Precriptives concealer compact. Everything smells fine. I put the lipstick on the back of my hand, and it went on smoothly.

I hesitate to get rid of them because almost all are made in the USA. I can't donate them because of the age. 

What would you do?  

[San Antonio Gal]

I would use them and not throw them away.

[Katcat1]

@beach-mom   I went thru some old cosmetics and if a lipstick is old it will smell stale.  Yours sounds fine.  I hate to admit but I have eye shadows that are over 10 years old and still okay.  My rule of thumb if it smells or looks different, throw it out, otherwise keep it and enjoy.

[lynnie61]

@beach-mom   I found an old Bare Minerals compact with highlighter.  It is probably 5 years old.  It was fine, no smell.  I’m using it.  I’m know I have a few old Laura Gellar baked products.  Sometimes I think these expiration dates are used to get us to toss and buy more.  Especially dry products.  

I’m really only super diligent on mascara.  But I did do a big lip purge several weeks ago.  More because of the colors weren’t my favorites.  (Many partially used colors from kits)

[Cookie2025]

I just had this dilemma weeks ago.  

I kept the products that where not opened - the opened stuff was tossed.

[Shanus]

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@beach-mom wrote:

While going through my drawers I found some old cosmetics. Some have never been opened; some are old favorites. I found some old lipsticks I once couldn't live without, a never-used Precriptives concealer compact. Everything smells fine. I put the lipstick on the back of my hand, and it went on smoothly.

I hesitate to get rid of them because almost all are made in the USA. I can't donate them because of the age. 

What would you do?  

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@beach-mom   Cream products, once opened, have more chance of going bad than powder ones. If cream products are in a jar where you've been dipping into them or exposed to air like skincare or foundations, compacts w/ cream highlighters, etc. I'd switch those out after a year. Powder shadows, foundations like BM, setting powders last for years. Lipsticks are iffy...go by smell as @Katcat1 stated.

To keep cosmetics lasting longer, wash brushes often. Skincare usually has a date when it loses it's efficacy, especially serums and definitely SPFs.

I've had the "toss out" happen in the past. Good money down the drain. I only purchase supersizes of skincare or cream cosmetics I use every day and not as a backup I won't get to for several months. I always cringe when I see the TSVs for JM Argan Oil. It's around $100 & not sure it won't be rancid before it gets to the bottom.

Hope this helps. 

[Peaches McPhee]

I am probably in the minority, but I currently have and use make-up that is open and 15+ years old, and it is fine.  (Eyeshadows.)

[millieshops]

The dates on almost everything we buy are often SELL BY or BEST BY more than they are actual use expiration dates.  I use my own common sense plus a bit of science knowledge or investigation to make my choices.

I rarely toss anything except what goes near my eyes just because of the date on the package.

[Dusty1]

I love makeup. I buy a lot of makeup. Even when I try not to buy makeup, something always catches my eye & I buy makeup.

I don't buy many lip products, but I love blush (cream & powder) & eyeshadow (shadow sticks & powder). 

I do go through my stuff from time to time & check, mostly lipsticks & creams. 

I went through lipsticks last week & have enough to Back To Mac for several new lipsticks! Winner or loser? You decide. LOL

I do use lipstick as cream blush, too, so some that weren't bad, but I don't use as lip color, were moved to the blush area.

So, yes, I do have older things, but they aren't dirty or smelly.

[Swedishmiss]

I often keep and use products past the expiration date with the exception of anything that goes on my eyes (mascaras, liners, eyeshadows).  For me, it is not worth the risk of using anything that might be compromised around my eyes.