Gransnet forums

Style & beauty

Cosmetic con

(49 Posts)
hollysteers Thu 02-Jul-20 10:30:22

I have never believed the advice to throw your make up out after a few months and completely replace it. I believe it is a myth propagated by the beauty industry to make us buy more.. Obviously if one had an eye infection or allergic reaction, that would be a different matter.
I came across a Max Factor Swedish Formula (discontinued) brown eyeshadow from years ago and am currently using it with no ill effects.
How long do you hold on to your make up?

Tangerine Thu 02-Jul-20 10:33:00

I am like you and do not throw out makeup after a few months.

However, if I had any doubts about a product (particularly anything to do with eye makeup), I'd dispose of it.

Common sense should be used - if something looks or smells "off", I would not use it.

I would say nothing in my makeup bag is older than two years but that's a guess.

DiscoGran Thu 02-Jul-20 10:39:22

I tend to replace my mascara after a couple of months as I have quite sensitive eyes. As long as they don't look as if they are separating or smell funny other things run out after about six months anyway. Apart from lipsticks which I think last a couple of years.

I am a bit fussy about applicators, so keep those clean and wash brushes and sponges often.

I agree, the beauty industry does perpetuate this churn of stuff. But then a lot of it is smoke and mirrors. Every week there is a new type of something, bigger and better.
I tend to keep things simple, and use the products that I know work for me.

Poppyred Thu 02-Jul-20 11:08:47

Mine must be years old and I’m still standing..

lovebeigecardigans1955 Thu 02-Jul-20 13:20:53

The only make up I wear is eyebrow pencil or the like and lipstick occasionally with Lipcote on top - both of which are rather old. So far, so good.

Froglady Fri 03-Jul-20 09:09:03

Mine is probably about 5-10 years old as I never wear it. Think I may as well just throw it out.

Humbertbear Fri 03-Jul-20 09:12:34

The point about chucking out old make up is that you can get a build up of bacteria on it. Eg cream eye shadow which you apply with your finger. It’s nothing to do with best before dates.

Froglady Fri 03-Jul-20 09:13:30

In fact I have just rescued mine from the drawer and after having a quick look through it have just thrown it all in the bin. I can't recall the last time I wore any. It's never been really important to me.
Perfume I like and use for me, no-one else.

Disgruntled Fri 03-Jul-20 09:24:45

I hardly wear make up but I do have a bottle of Guerlain Chant d'Aromes which was best before 1968. But I love the bottle.

Happysexagenarian Fri 03-Jul-20 09:31:02

I don't really wear makeup. I have a mascara (for special occasions) that's probably 20 years old, but still useable. However last Christmas I was buying makeup for GD and treated myself to a blusher and concealer, they'll probably last me the rest of my life!

Rosina Fri 03-Jul-20 09:40:19

I don't bother with dates for makeup - it gets used, it gets replaced. After having eye surgery I did throw all my eye makeup out and started afresh - that said there are only half a dozen items in my makeup box in the bathroom, so it goes rapidly with daily use. I would be concerned about ancient mascara - I gather it can harbour some really evil germs and I wouldn't risk an eye infection for the sake of replacing it once a year.

JillRB Fri 03-Jul-20 09:41:51

I still have the lovely blue Clinique eye shadow I bought for my wedding - thirty years ago! Two tone - the light blue is practically unused, the darker one is nearly worn out. (I have bought others in the meantime!)

Aepgirl Fri 03-Jul-20 09:43:07

I bought a whole lot of new makeup about 6 months ago, and although I am using it I still revert to the old lot that it was supposed to be replacing.

Moggycuddler Fri 03-Jul-20 09:50:08

I haven't used make up in about 25 years. But when I did, I kept it for as long as it lasted.

Flygirl Fri 03-Jul-20 10:23:20

If it looks and smells ok it usually IS ok. "If in doubt, cast out"

Dee1012 Fri 03-Jul-20 10:34:08

You can also sanitise make up with an isopropyl alcohol spray....I've done this with a palette I've had for ages!
The only items I do renew every 12 months or so are mascara and lipstick.

silverlining48 Fri 03-Jul-20 10:56:26

I keep it as long as it lasts, then usually replace, but i dont use much so its lasting forever.

mrsgreenfingers56 Fri 03-Jul-20 10:57:48

I love make up and use every day, think everyone looks so much better with some on. Some of my items are quite old but are fine but if I thought gone off would throw them out. I always think a myth by the beauty industry to make up buy more often!

Riggie Fri 03-Jul-20 11:00:57

Several years altough not as ancient as JillRB's although I still have regrets for colours that have been thrown out and are no longer "fashionable". Also miss some chanel "sets" that I bought about 25 years ago when I had disposable income - each compact had a matching eye shadow, block eyeliner and block mascara.

micky987 Fri 03-Jul-20 11:10:10

I wear quite a bit of makeup-everyday. I wouldn’t even open the door to postie if I don’t have my face on lol. I use it until it runs out. Foundation lasts about a month, lipstick about 2 months etc but I usually have backup so I’m not caught out when it runs out. I’d love to be like you ladies who are happy without it.

Patticake123 Fri 03-Jul-20 11:10:37

Well my MiL gave me a beautiful makeup set for Christmas and the two lipsticks are still in regular use. She died 29 years ago, so maybe they are passed the sell by date! I do change mascara regularly though because I’m am concerned about getting eye infection from the bacteria held within.

Gwenisgreat1 Fri 03-Jul-20 11:14:46

I hate to think how old it is - I haven't really worn it for a few years apart from a bit of lippy (which is about 2 years old).

Mollygo Fri 03-Jul-20 11:24:41

Mine is always fairly new as I use it every day. Washing brushes and applicators is good practice and I’m careful about mascara.

Mollygo Fri 03-Jul-20 11:26:08

Meant to add, I wonder whether I’ll suddenly be inundated with make up adverts-reminding me that nothing is really secure once you put it on line.

Quizzer Fri 03-Jul-20 11:49:52

I think I win on the oldest makeup race! I still have an eyeshadow I wore on my wedding day in 1971, 49 years ago. It's yellow, which is probably why I never wore it again. I don't mean it has gone yellow, it always was a pretty lemon colour. I wore it with other colours on the day.
Otherwise, I do change my make up fairly regularly, but mostly because it gets used up.