Anyone else who doesn't throw make up out after the expiry date?

[HowLongToXmas]

I will confess I have some eyeshadows which must be pushing 5 or six years old. Foundations which are two or three years old. I do because I have a TON of make up and I don't use everything until it runs out before buying a new, different one. I know that on the packaging it says that you shouldn't keep something longer than 6, 12, 24 (?) months but I've never had any issues. No break outs, no rashes, nothing. So I'm wondering whether this 'expiry date' thing is just a way for the cosmetic companies to make more money and/or cover their backs should someone leave a bottle of foundation open, in a sunny spot, in a warm and damp room for example.

Anyone else? Or am I just vile?

As a rule creams and liquids last less time than powder products. So that means mascaras, liquid eyeliners, liquid eye shadows etc have to be replaced more often. But powders can last quite a while and they can also be sanitised with an alcohol based spray. Most lip/face products tend to smell odd or separate when they go off so that's a sign.

@fairydustandpixies

I'm 49 and still have a lipstick from when I was 15. I still wear it on special occasions, I adore it!

Doesn't it smell/taste funny? I hate the taste of old lipstick

I have some lipsticks I think I bought in 1994.

I change mascara every 3 months without fail and I clean my brushes every other week. Foundation (pre lockdown) gets used up within date. Everything else.... meh. Some of my eyeshadow palletes are positively venerable!

I ignore the dates. When I was 15 (approx 1998) I inherited a silver Mary Quant eyeshadow from my mum that she bought in the 70s! It was still fabulous.

I didn't even know make up has an expiry date

Never had an infection so will carry on. I think the risk is small.

The issue is also that if I like something I may buy a spare one in case it gets discontinued. But I may not get to use it for years! And I'm not throwing out a ton of unused makeup just because the manufacturer tells me I should. But maybe that's stupid...

In most cases it's a marketing ploy to make you use more of the product.

I have a 23 year old pot of Body Shop bronzing balls with 5 left which I still use .
I know it’s that old because my then 2 year old lobbed the last full pot across the bedroom and I replaced them then . He’s now 25 .

I've got the first MAC Viva Glam lipstick from about 1995. It still smells fine and applies evenly. I've also got the eyeshadow palette I used for my wedding day in 2004 and that's fine, too.

My approach to makeup is the same as it is to food - if it looks fine and smells ok, I'm good to go.

I've got a blusher from either the 1980s or very early 1990s. Not much of it left but it was the perfect colour.

I never bother with expiry dates on any makeup. I sometimes come across some foundation or lipstick etc, that I went off about 10 or more years ago, then try it again, and it usually all ok, and not as bad colourwise, that I thought it was years ago.

No I don't worry about age. I'd have to bin literally everything if I did.

To those who say mascara is used up by the expiry date anyway - silly question but how? Do you reapply through the day? I've got some I've been using daily for the last two years and it's still going strong, not drying up or going clumpy.

I never do - and never had an issue with infections etc.