Can you declutter your makeup?

Aug 8, 2016

Kinen C.

How good are you beautylish members at throwing makeup out after the marked expiration date? You know, the little number on the back of products?
Personally, I'm horrible at it. Seeing as I'm a high school senior, I can't bring myself to throwing makeup away until I use it up or until I can tell their product has changed, which is incredibly rare. The only type of product I can throw away easily are mascaras.

Aug 8, 2016

Rebecca J.

Personally I'm a hoarder. Here in the UK we can't really exchange products that don't work for us so I keep them thinking "I'll use it" then I go through and throw loads of stuff away.

If it doesn't work for you then get rid and if it's changed or smells funny then get rid. I don't think you necassarily have to get rid of something immediately after x months. I think of it more as a guideline so if it still looks/ smells/ feels the same and isn't breaking me out I keep it. Like you the only thing I'm super strict on is anything that goes near my eyes.

Aug 8, 2016

Kinen C.

I, too, hoard makeup, but then I never want to throw it out because I'm still certain I'll find a way to use it, or out of fear that I'll need it as soon as I throw it out. I don't usually go by the numbers on the product, because powder eyeshadows should really still be good for 2-3 years rather than 12 months... But I still struggle to throw them out because I don't want to spend $50 to get it back, or because I'm emotionally attached. (My naked 3 palette - first high end product I purchased on my own. I can't bring myself to part with it even though I've had it since 2014 and the pans are all coming unglued)

Aug 8, 2016

Hannah K.

I find expiration dates on makeup to be ludicrous. Unless it's a liquid product or a lipstick where you can smell or feel that it has gone off, it's likely not going to be a problem. "Expiration dates" on powders and such are incredibly ridiculous, as they're only required to be there to indicate that this product, after this date, may perform at 99% as opposed to 100%. The only time I will ever throw makeup away is if I hate it, or if it has gone off. The former happens way, way more often than the latter. I hoard. I've been collecting makeup for 10 years, and I have products that sell for hundreds of dollars on ebay. I will not only never declutter them, but I will continue using them until such time as I determine that I shouldn't.

Aug 8, 2016

Mimi B.

I just had to go through all my makeup and throw some out because I just moved out and I had a whole box full of old beauty products and cosmetics. But I've been slowly buying more to recollect my hoard of makeup 😈

Aug 8, 2016

Aleena P.

*stands up in the middle of the group chat* I also have problem with keeping makeup I know I'll never use in thought that I can repurpose it somehow. I know it's a problem but I just can't stop *sits back down*
I also have a huge issue with not throwing away old packages. I always have to save the boxes or bags everything comes in and I have one of each of the old packages from most of my past purchases. it started when we moved into a bigger house and I got my own little space for just makeup. it's like, I had to fill it with something right? might as well be something unreasonable to keep. lol

Aug 9, 2016

Emalie M.

I will keep makeup as long as possible even if I don't use it anymore. I get too emotionally attached to it all to get rid of it easily😝

Aug 9, 2016

Dana E.

Definitely guilty of being a makeup hoarder 😐

Aug 9, 2016

Kinen C.

Aleena, I have found myself doing the same thing!! Usually it's with products that are on the pricier end. I try to keep the packaging for like 2 weeks after purchasing so that I return if it I absolutely hate the product... But then I never throw it away. Each drawer of mine (4) has like 4 boxes in it... Which doesn't sound so bad until you take it into perspective that I haven't bought anything in 3 months and those are all from feb-may. Oops.

Aug 9, 2016

Meagan M.

I tend to keep stuff if the packaging is cute or if I paid an arm and a leg for it. I do have a hard time throwing stuff away. I won't necessarily use it but I can't throw it away.

Aug 9, 2016

Nicole A.

I'm right there with what Hannah said 100%, I only throw away mascara, liquid liner, and on occasion cream face products, I always finish my foundation so I don't have an issue with excess of that. As for my shadows and lipsticks like Hannah said unless they smell or change in color I keep them forever lol I'm such a hoard of makeup it's insane I'm almost embarrassed lol. When I tell the girls at work that I'm going through my makeup they fight to see who gets it lol (:

Aug 9, 2016

Jacqueline H.

I have no problem tossing makeup. I do not consider myself a 'hoarder,' so for the most part, I really only buy what I know I'll use. If for some reason I have a change of heart, or I just don't care for a particular product anymore for whatever reason, I will give it to someone I know who will use it.

Powder products do have a shelf life, but what's cool about them is that you can either extend or shorten their shelf life by how you store them. You can also extend the shelf life of your powder products by sanitizing them after each and every use. That way, you avoid your powder products getting that built up hard film on the surface that develops from your skin's oils/brush buildup. That hard film does indeed effect the quality of the pigment, and once that happens, your powder product is not long for this world.

I am probably more sensitive than most, but I can definitely see a change in texture and application after about a year and a half. I toss mascaras every 6 weeks. Any product that is exposed to air wherein to get the product out, you have to pump the wand introducing air... things like mascaras, glosses, foundations, skin creams, and products that aren't in a pump, etc. etc. will degrade quickly. When air hits the formula, certain ingredients start to oxidize. It's like a constant countdown.

Perhaps I am a bit more rigid in terms of shelf life. I apply makeup for a living, and I do not mess around with the health and well being of anyone I work with. Part of what I make goes right back into my kit to account for items that are what I like to call 'high turnover' products, so I don't think twice about tossing any questionable cosmetics.

I do buy products that I may not like or use sometimes. I'm a sucker for packaging, and if the package is too cute, sometimes I just don't care, and I will lay down the cash. Hey, if packaging brings a smile to anyone's face, then it's worth it's weight in gold. ;)

Aug 10, 2016

Meagan M.

I would not consider hoarding nor would I think bad of a decent sized makeup collection. My issue with just throwing stuff out. It is a huge investment having a makeup collection. I work hard for my money and some of the products I like are costly. To me I try to make my stuff usable. Unless of course it's completely no good. I cannot justify throwing away a 45 dollar or a 50 dollar foundation. I cannot justify throwing away a 30 dollar mascara. I try to be conscious of what I am buy and when I am buying it. I also try to budget out my buys. I just feel like makeup for me is just a hobby. I unfortunately am not talented enough to make it into some kind of a living off of doing makeup. So it's just good to be aware of your products and their shelf life.

Aug 11, 2016

Natalie A.

I'm a total hoarder haha. Makeup can actually last up to two years after its expiration date, but I would be careful with eye makeup like pen liners, eye pencils, and mascaras.