...to get irritated when people tell me to throw my make up away after a year?

[LizziePizzie]

I am not made of money, and if I were, I would not refresh my ENTIRE make up collection (and nail varnish) on a yearly basis! It would be a colossal waste of money!

I have eye shadows that I have had for nearly 10 years, nail varnishes the same. I use mascara for months and only change when it gets goopy! Nail varnish I throw away when that gets too goopy and any face powder or concealer (I don't use foundation) I change when I have used it all up!

AIBU or is there any basis for not keeping old make up?

I thought it was because make up is a breeding ground for bacteria and it's best not to keep it too long to prevent any "nasties".

Nothing I use ever lasts more than a year

I too heard that they're a breeding ground for bacteria however if they're not causing any problems to your skin then carry on using them.

old makeup will not look as good on the skin, & will harbour bacteria - up to you if you want to risk it.
you can keep nail varnish in the fridge & it will last for ever (nearly).

I change "wet" things, mascara, foundation, eyeliner etc regularly-because they've been used up, not for hygiene reasons! eye shadows, blusher etc is kept until its gone, nail varnish go when they are crap. I wash my brushes weekly though :)

I have never had a mascara or a foundation last more than 6 months, but I certainly would not throw away MAC eyeshadows that I have had 2 years and are only used occasionally.

It strikes me more of a marketing ploy to fool people into wasting make up.

I have no health issues, and have worn makeup for nearly 30 years, without having any eye infections or other make up related ailments.

The only thing I actually chuck out is mascara as it goes so close to the eyes.

I think the oldest item in my make up bag is an eyeliner pencil from pre marriage in 1993!! Still use it occasionally and am still alive! Have loads of very old stuff because I don't use make up on a daily basis, but would never throw something away purely on age. Am sure it's definitely just a marketing ploy to get us all buying more.

I still have makeup that I bought or was given in the 80s genuine day-glo eyeball searing eyeshadows, a "twilight teaser" lipstick and electric blue eyeliner among others It just shows how often I wear makeup, that none of it has been used up
Mascara "goes off" I find, once the tubes been opened it dries up after a while and is no good, although I have one of those old fashioned block ones that's still going strong that must be about 30! Everything else is fine though, as far as I can tell anyway. YANBU.

I agree with you, OP. If something looks a bit manky or has clearly gone off I will throw it, but I certainly keep some make up items for longer than a year.

Also running shoes, apparently they wear out in the cupboard even if you are not doing much running in them? PULL THE OTHER ONE IT'S GOT BELLS ON.

OK, so your shoes if worn out mean it's more likely you get injured, but mine are not worn out after one year. I change mine about every 2- 3 years and have never been injured.

YANBU i have some lip balm from 1994. Banana flavour, bought from Safeways Streatham. Still alive!

It's advice based on science I presume. If you want to ignore it, you are free to do so - it isn't a legal requirement!

I have an eye shadow that I bought 20 years ago. It's a nice colour. I've never found another one like it. It doesn't smell bad. I use it when I go out, which isn't very often these days, so I expect it to last at least another 40 years.

Your make up lasts a year??!?

Mine lasts a couple of months