How bad is it to use old makeup, really?
Person applying lip product while holding small mirror on fluffy carpet covered with cosmetics
Photo by Jessica Garcia.
I have a confession. I have an unhealthy emotional attachment to my Too Faced Chocolate Gold Eye Shadow Palette. You might not think it's worth admitting, but what if I told you I bought it in 2017?
Nearly five years after its heyday (and now discontinued), I still run my fingers through its buttery matte shade and marvel as I glide its vibrant shimmer across my lids, blissfully Ignored the little printed date on the packaging that was almost begging me to throw it away. But I don't plan to box it anytime soon.
Person applying lip product while holding small mirror on fluffy carpet covered with cosmetics

I have a confession. I have an unhealthy emotional beauty products attachment to my Too Faced Chocolate Gold Eye Shadow Palette. You might not think it's worth admitting, but what if I told you I bought it in 2017?
Nearly five years after its heyday (and now discontinued), I still run my fingers through its buttery matte shade and marvel as I glide its vibrant shimmer across my lids, blissfully Ignored the little printed date on the packaging that was almost begging me to throw it away. But I don't plan to box it anytime soon.
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The shade is still pigmented as hell and I still get a whiff of sweet cocoa every time I open it. This trusty palette has seen some of the biggest moments in my life, including college, five jobs, four families, and a pandemic. It also outlasted all of my romantic relationships, if I'm being really honest. At this point, the palette has sentimental value, because I only use the pan on three of the 16 shades, and getting rid of it feels like a waste.
I'm not alone in this dilemma. A recent study revealed that a quarter of us wear expired makeup, and TikToker Emma Abrahamson recently went viral for wishing her Urban Decay Naked Palette "Happy 10th Anniversary." She continues to use her palette, too, and it's hard to blame her seeing the brand discontinue the iconic product in 2018. Emma faced some criticism, but the video garnered hundreds of comments of solidarity. One person said: "I know it's totally unsafe to use at this time, but you can pry my 2012 Naked Palette from my cold dead hands." Another wrote: "Mines must be at least 11 years old! They It grows too fast."
To find out what skeletons are lurking in my friend's wardrobe (or rather, makeup bag), I conducted an informal Instagram poll. As I suspected, 100% of respondents admitted to regularly using obsolete products. Why? The cost of living is high and so is makeup. Glossier and The Ordinary are just a few brands that have recently announced price increases, so it makes sense to make the most of the beauty products you already own