(Image from abcnews.go.com)
So last night I received an email entitled 'The Make Up Time Bomb' from a guy at Debenhams, about makeup expiry dates and the terrible habits of UK women. The first thing that sprang to mind was this post by Lipglossiping, check that out if you want!
Anyway, the general gist of this email was that the average UK female's makeup bag is approximately 4 years past it's use by date. There were some interesting facts and quotes in there, actually..
Sara Stern, Director of Cosmetics at Debenhams said, "We wouldn’t hesitate to chuck out mouldy or bacteria-ridden food and the same standards should apply to the lotions and potions and that we put on our skin. Beauty is timeless but unfortunately, products are not." Well, food isn't as ridiculously sodding expensive as makeup, is it? *Grumble*
We all know about the little open pot symbol with a number on it, on the packaging of all our makeup which denotes the shelf life, right? Apparently, 89% of women don't. But us 11% who do know, don't tend to pay much attention to it, right? I know it's not just me. I pay a freaking bucketload of money for my cosmetics and I'll be damned if I'm gonna throw out a mascara after 6 months because some legal guidelines to state a use-by date say so. If it hasn't dried up and still smells okay and works the same, I'll use it, thanks!
60% of women admitted they shared make-up with friends and family. Okay, that's something I DON'T do. If only for the reason that it's MINE. Haha, and on the odd occasion that I do my sister's makeup or something it's fine since I always use clean brushes.
68% of women only replace make-up and skincare when they run out, however long that might take. TOO RIGHT!
72% of women never wash their make-up sponges or brushes. Seriously, never? Okay I'm pretty lazy with my brushes but that's kinda gross. And even worse...
81% of British women also regularly (at least once a week) go to sleep without removing make up. I don't think I've EVER done that!
Bevis Man of the British Skin Foundation seems to have a vague understanding of our position: "Cost is probably a major factor in why people do not replace out-of-date cosmetics. However, products can dry out and become less effective as they age." We know that, spazz. We all know that if something changes texture or starts smelling a bit off, it's time to bin it. But I'll be damned if I'm throwing anything away that still functions properly.
Perhaps my stubbornness will lead to me one day having to learn the hard way about expiry dates on cosmetics. But until that day comes and I get a lovely case of pinkeye or something, I will continue to hoard and keep.
The last line of the email made me laugh. Check it:
Sarah Stern concludes, "Hopefully this call to action will encourage women to have a ruthless spring clean of their cosmetics collections. All our Beauty Hall staff members are on hand to advise customers of the use-by dates of their current items and help replenish any empty cosmetic bags."
OHHH, so that's what this is about! Sod off Debenhams. 'Replenishing' any self respecting makeup addict's makeup bag would probably end up in three figures within the first few items. I don't know about you lot, but I think I'm capable of judging for myself whether or not a product is usable. They're all chocka with preservatives anyway! Although, that raises another point - health nuts using organic, preservative free products would obviously need to be more vigilant. But I like my chemicals and my preservatives. I don't like throwing out perfectly good makeup that cost me a lot of money! That's all.
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