What do you do with ‘mistake’ make up purchases? Items you’ve bought, used and bit and not loved.

[LovelySG]

I’ve just been putting them in a drawer. It’s such a waste.

What does everyone else do?

I was thinking the same thing. I bought a mascara last week, hate it. It’s gone in a drawer never to be seen again. Interested in others thoughts

Would love it if there was a solution to this, I do the same. I do occasionally pass things to friends or family but they mostly end up in a drawer.

Following as well

Shoved in a carrier bag in a drawer. Something I could be clearing out right now.

One thing you can do with them, especially if they are things like hand cream in a tube or dispenser (not a jar) is to give them to a charity shop.
The one local to me lets the staff have their pick of the stuff they can't sell.
Ask if they'd like them.

I have a makeup bag in the campervan with purchases like this in it. Then it doesn’t matter if it gets lost while camping, or melts in the van or whatever, and it’s packed and ready for last minute trips.

https://www.carolinehirons.com/page-give-and-makeup

Give it to the tween to experiment with or leave it in a drawer for a couple of years and then eventually chuck it out.

Interestingly, I rarely end up with items like this but threw one away earlier. Foundation with SPF. I could not think why it was in the drawer. Whilst it had been opened it was nearly full. However, when I tried a bit on my hand it was obvious it had gone watery and split.

At work we have a basket in Ladies where people can leave stuff that's still ok. It's not all unopened stuff. Nail varnish is popularly something people leave there, lipsticks not. Boxes of unopened sanitary products etc.
When my father passed away there was a drawer full of unopened Water Wipes and I brought them in 2 packs at a time, all got taken.

I have 3 teen girls and a 12 year granddaughter. They love it when I buy products and then don't use them.

Bin.
Why would anyone keep useless stuff in a drawer?

I have bought some make up on Vinted. Wouldn’t buy mascara of course, but foundation that someone has decided js the wrong shade is safe enough IMO.

if its same colour as your hair you could use it to cover up any greys or to bulk up your eyebrows!

I post on Instagram Stories and ask if anyone wants the thing, then send it to that person. I’ve acquired things that way too.

My most recent dud is the Chanel bronzer everyone raves about, and which makes me look orange. I bought it on Black Friday last year, and every so often I get it out and think I can make it work, but no. If I can’t manage it with a bit of a tan it’s out next!

Give them to my sister, and she does the same to me

That says page not found

Di refuges take make up? I know they take toiletries.

Local women’s refuges will probably be grateful for them. You could also freebay any items as someone will always take them.

If you buy good brands eg Clinique, Laura mercier, nars etc either direct from them or at a concession in a store they will refund if the product does not suit. Over the past few years I've returned foundation and lipstick to those places and had refunds. Estée Lauder told me that they would refund moisturiser if I didn't like it, luckily for them I loved it and have repeat purchased many times.

Cheaper brands I offer to my D in law or just bin if she doesn't want them.
Fortunately I like most things I buy.

My local Tesco has a make up recycling box tucked in a corner.
It’s branded Maybelline or something like that but you can put any brand in.

God knows what happens to it after that, though.

I think they’re “recycling” rather than re using

I take things in to work and leave them in the kitchen with a note "Please take". – things like perfume I have had a spritz of and not liked, or toner that I have not got on with. Or maybe totally unused lippie that I know won't suit, ditto eyeshadow (but not worth selling on eBay as too cheap. the first place).

ETA: The only used thing like this I have bought on ebay is a fragrance i know I love which someone has just had a spray of. Would't buy anything else used tbh.

Vinted

Just chuck them but TBF, my make up comes from the pound shop and supermarkets so I'm not wasting a whole of money!

As far as I am aware Women’s Refuges do not accept used cosmetics.

And I’m surprised that anyone would think such items would constitute an acceptable donation.

Would you want some stranger’s used eyebrow pencil or concealer? Incredibly demeaning when you’re already feeling beaten down and despondent. Make up is supposed to make one feel happy and confident - not as if you only deserve thrown out tat with other people’s finger marks all over it.

I work in a team of 20 women we have a free to take basket at work. Beauty, hair prodcts, gifted smellies etc.

Ive seen homeless charities take part used products including make up. I think the exception was mascara.