How long can you realistically keep a lipstick?

[thepriceoffish]

You know how everything has a jar symbol on it now and a lipstick is meant to be binned after 12 months etc? Do you stick to that? I buy travel sized mascara and bin it every 6 months but that's about it. I've got a lipstick that's 3 years old is it realistic to think it's ok? Or is there going to be mould and stuff on it? They never used to have the jar symbols on.

@ColeensBoot how long could a cold sore virus remain on a lipstick ?
Indefinitely?

Well I assume so? It is the herpes virus. We would need a viral expert to tell us exactly how long it can live on surfaces. But I would be conservative and assume a very long time.

I have one from a line that was discontinued in 2011, it seems fine. I didn’t feel too bad about upgrading to a better quality one recently though! I’ll probably still haul the old one out if I want that particular colour though.

I'm going to start using up my favourites. Can always repurchase

I think the herpes virus couldn’t live on a lipstick for weeks that’s ridiculous.

I only wear make up to weddings. I bought a new lipstick for a wedding in 2015 but actually wore a Beauty Without Cruelty one I’ve had since 1982, I’ve used about 1/8 of it in 40 years.

Yes this is a thing I’ve experienced many times. So now I always throw lipsticks out if I develop a cold sore and have used it the same day it starts.
It has put me off buying expensive lipsticks.

No it’s definitely a thing, I’ve experienced it a few times.
So now I always throw lipsticks out if I develop a cold sore and have used it the same day it starts.

It has put me off buying expensive lipsticks.

You don't need to throw it away unless it starts to change in smell, texture or colour in my opinion.

I don't pay any attention to use by guidelines on makeup- I have eyeshadow that is 10 years old and I used a 18 year old nail polish the other day and it's still perfect.

But when you get a coldsore you are not catching it fresh each time. If you get a coldsore it is because the virus lies dormant in your body and flares up, causing a coldsore, when your immune system is at a low.

It's not possible for us virus to live for decades outside the body.

I too have found in the past that I can get a cold sore after reusing old lipsticks.
Coincidence perhaps but I'm unwilling to risk it anymore and cut a fair bit of the top of the lipstick off before using again.

I’ve tried telling myself this too (as I agree it’s perfectly logical, but I promise you, testing the theory several times has proved that I have developed cold sores after using a lipstick I once used whilst developing a cold sore that day.

Interesting thread.
I went away for a weekend and routed through my supplies to find an ancient Clinique tinted spf cream which I had once acquired as a free gift. I asked dd if it would be ok to use. We smelt it and it smelt ok so I wore it. It must be 30 years old!
Anyway glad I didn’t bin it as it did the job.
Think I only threw away the Clinique lipsticks I had bought to get the free gifts when they got down to the wick.
I tend not to have mascaras that long as I use them more frequently. They do dry up or run out.