What do you do with unwanted or unused makeup?

[Jessica3075]

I don’t have makeup which is particularly high end; my indulgence is Bobbi Brown Bronzer which I use til there’s nothing left and repurchase. But… I also have various impulse buys. The odd “let’s try different stuff” items which have been used for a fortnight and relegated to a drawer.

I tend to have 3 or 4 foundations on the go, depending on the time of year or state of my skin.

Recently, I’ve noticed stuff I never ever reach for so, give it a try (a No7 blush and various lipstick shades) and halfway through the day at work, catch sight of myself and think “yep, that’s why you never get into my daily routine!” Anyone else? I’m thinking I ought to bin what I don’t like/no longer use/doesn’t look good/suit me anymore and stick to the products I do use, most days.

Feels extravagant though… binning these items?

Can you pass them on to a friend if they're only lightly used? Any really out of date/used stuff I have goes to the makeup recycling box at Tesco. Seems a shame to put yours in there though if they're hardly used.

Does your area have a 'community cupboard' or 'community larder' or similar? Ours does, and encourages donations of food (including past BB), clothes & shoes, blankets & bedding, and all toiletries - including new or 2nd hand / opened.

My OH and I help to look after and stock our nearest one; and opened perfumes, make-up and general toiletries are (to me) surprisingly popular. People take what they want, and people leave what they can, so it's all entirely voluntary.

Just a thought, really.

Have you looked into charities that might take it? There was one called Give & Make Up that I sent a load of stuff to during one of many lockdown clear outs - looking online I’m not sure if it’s still going, but sure there must be others.

I emailed a local women's refuge a while ago and they would only accept unopened unused products. While I understand this it, it's a real shame

Thanks for the replies. I think opened products is ok with friends and family but I can understand them not wanting it for the general public.

I’ll google locally and see.

If there’s nothing out there I’ll just clear it out.

I've seen a "make-up recycling box" in SuperDrug.

www.recyclenow.com/news-and-campaigns/take-back-schemes-for-beauty-grooming-packaging-difficult-recycle

Must admit that I’ve never found the perfect foundation so I have a lot in stock, ones that I’ve tried going back for years. I slap them on around my hairline (instead of vaseline) when I dye my hair. I also use them up on days when I just need to nip out but I’m not working/going out but just going to the supermarket or doing a school run. Due to cost of living I am currently on a make up buying ban so may even fall back on the subpar stuff anyway, even if they are too orange, greasy, patchy etc.

@AfterTheWatershed 😐 That’s a thought. I try not to spend too much money on unnecessary stuff. I guess I could do an economy drive.

There’s a maybelline make up recycling box that takes opened products in my local Tesco…I’m not sure if it’s a national thing, though.