Make-up expiry?

[Yourethebeerthief]

Hello all,

I don't wear makeup these days. Since my son was born 2 years ago I fell out the way of wearing makeup. I work part time and have taken to just styling my hair and wearing mascara and a tiny bit of a blush stick on my cheeks on work days. Otherwise I don't bother as I'm just running about parks and woods with my toddler getting muddy together.

Before I had my son I was still minimal with makeup. I would wear a BB cream, under eye concealer, mascara, and blush. Sometimes eye shadow for a night out too, and a tinted lip balm.

Well, having a clear out I found a tonne of this makeup brand new. I completely forgot that about 3 or 4 years ago my favourite Bb cream, mascara and tinted lip balms we're going to be discontinued so I bought about ten of each! 🤦🏼‍♀️

They are all sealed and brand new. When makeup is sealed how long can it last? Would it be stupid to use any of these? Even though my makeup was very minimal before, I got through plenty of these as I was wearing every single day for work. I wouldn't get through it at the same rate now.

They'll be absolutely fine

As long as they aren't discolored, separated or smell funny I would totally use them

How long do you think this is the case for? Indefinitely? Do you think they are fine until the point I ever open one and it has a different consistency/smell?

I'm wondering if they're fine now but as it will take me so long to use them up that I might be better throwing away after a recommended amount of time. Or is it just a case of they're fine until you can obviously see that they're not?

I’m not one for wearing makeup so it often goes out of date before it is used up. I would be wary because I once used out of date eyeliner and my eyes were sore and streaming for two days afterwards. It was opened but not obviously “off”.

Itll be absolutely fine, I never ever check dates on makeup and if opened products do go a bit iffy you can tell - open them one at a time and that haul will last you ages! :)

Unopened I’d say each one will be absolutely fine left sealed and once opened just use as normal, I wouldn’t worry about using any of it at all.

I’d just use them until they weren’t usable anymore.
Liquid products tend to go gunky/gloopy and smell a bit weird when they go off.
You might find that the first few are fine but subsequent ones aren’t but no point in binning them all right now without even trying!

Thanks everyone, that's reassuring. When I found them I was cringing at the money. Sunk cost I suppose but I'll definitely use them now.

Why would you throw them away just incase they have gone off. Open each as needed and if it's gone off throw then. You don't need to throw them just in case. In case of what? They explode whilst you are in bed? Nothing crazy is going to happen.

Because I'm not particularly savvy with makeup. That's why I'm here to ask for advice.

I know when food has gone off, I don't know with makeup. A PP mentioned getting a bad reaction to out of date eye makeup.

This is a board to share help and advice surely?

I once had a few opened blue Mascarras (no judgement please 😂) knocking around for just a few months or less.
When I next tried to use them the smell was Vile. Like rotten eggs! 🤢

I also sometimes get a reaction from old eyeshadows, but I do wear lenses. I chuck them out as soon as I realise.

You are probably fine until you open them, but they may go off quickly afterwards.

I'm a cosmetics buyer (my day job) ... most make up has a 5 year shelf life (if not more) if unopened. There is usually a jar symbol on the back that will indicate that you should use within a certain time period once opened. Usually 12-18 months.

Thank you. This is the advice I need, from someone who knows. Not sneering remarks.

This make up must be 4 years old now, or nearly there. All unopened but I'll never get through it. Even if I start using it now for work, it will take me a year to get through 1 or 2 at the most! What a shame