How long to keep make-up

Auntieflo, yes I've done that. I put all the old ends of lippy in the microwave and melted them together, and poured the mix into a tiny jam jar. (Like you get with a scone in a cafe). The colour came out a perfect shade of cerise, which surprised me, as there had been everything from palest pink to orange and burgundy in the mix. I use it everyday with a lip brush. It should keep me going for years! Some of the bits dated back to the late 60's but there's no funny smell or taste to the new mix, so give it a try!

I do all that too gillybob

I haven't seen any newspaper headlines about people poisoning themselves with old make-up, have you? I'm sure people of our generation have built up resistance by not going overboard in this department.
I try to use things up to the last drop as I like to get my money's worth.

My mother in law would always buy me an Estée Lauder gift set for Christmas and I am still using lipstick from those sets. She died 28 years ago. So, no, I don’t throw away after a year!

I keep my make up forever as I don't use it much. I hate waste so won't throw it out if it still looks ok. I still have my mother's lipstick for sentimental reasons only, and she died nearly 30 years ago. The colour is deep red so has come back into fashion so maybe I should try it on - but maybe not!

Thanks, everyone, that's reassuring. There are some good records here that even I can't beat

Don't know anyone who disposes for reasons other than finished. Haven't heard of any adverse effects.

Oh I poke the remnants out of the bottom of lipsticks too Urmstongran . I seem to find a lipstick I love and then they discontinue it ( why do they do that ? ) . I also cut tubes of cream/foundation open and wrap cling film over the ends to get another few days of use. Hate to waste anything.

Not done that Auntieflo but I did buy a lip brush to poke into the recesses of every tube. It’s brilliant and suits my parsimonious nature.

Has anyone tried making a new lipstick from the ends of old ones? Looks as though it could get messy, but fun to try, and see what colour emerges. (You can tell I sometimes have too much time on my hands YouTubing)

I throw my make up away when it’s empty

I wouldn't be at all surprised if cosmetic manufacturers are behind the issuing of this instruction. Obviously, they will make more money that way.

Some of my make up is quite old. I'm a little bit more careful with mascara - use it for about 4 months - but I buy a very cheap mascara anyway.

Funnily enough have just used the last of a powder blusher that I must have bought 20 years ago! Actually I’m glad as I’ve read creme blusher suits older faces better - which obviously is me now!
I shall choose one WITH GREAT CARE this weekend as it’ll probably see me out!
Now there’s a thought. Not. ?

I still have a palette of eyeshadows that a friend gave me in about 1968 (I still have the friend too, I must tell her!). I wear very little makeup, but only throw things away if they get too dried up or begin to smell weird.

Farmor15 what a great post, both funny and reassuring. It's good to know as like you, I have make up from many years ago. It rarely sees the light of day, but I just can't bring myself to throw it away so of course I do use it on the odd occasion that I feel the urge to brighten myself up

I have eyeshadow I got for Christmas when I was about 18 (67 now!). I don't use make-up much - mascara usually dries up and I have to replace after a couple of years. I have lipstick that must be about 30 years old. Is this a record?
I still use the old eyeshadow sometimes - have some slightly newer as well - different colours.

As a retired microbiologist, I don't think there's much risk of infection from old make-up. The ingredients are not very favourable for the growth of microbes and if it's not used much, any that do end up in it will have died of starvation after a few weeks.

I read somewhere that if your lipstick or make-up starts to smell like old crayons, then it's time to throw them out.
I always replace mascara every six months whether the tube is finished or not.
I worry that keeping it longer may result in an eye infection. Best friend keeps hers for ever though, and has never had a problem.

My day cream and blusher are not much younger.

I have a lipstick, or at least the remains of a lipstick, that is many years old. I don't often bother with lippie. Much to daughter's displeasure. ?