A new study shows that we’re all a bunch of gross makeup hoarders who don’t know when to throw things away. In a survey about the makeup routines of 4,052 consumers by new cosmetics company Stowaway, it was discovered that most of us continue to use old, expired products like HEATHENS.
The survey found that 87% of consumers are aware that makeup has expiration dates. So, sure. I think it’s obvious that being aware of something is not the same as actually caring about it. It’s sort of like how you know that drinking an entire bottle of wine in one sitting isn’t exactly great, but that definitely ain’t going to stop you from doing it.
Even though we hold onto our products for a long time, many women don’t end up finishing them anyway.
75% of the average consumer (25-50), doesn’t routinely finish their makeup. Not just before it expires, but at all.
They also found that one of the reasons many women don’t like to throw away expired products because it feels like they’re wasting money.
More than 80% know makeup has expiration dates and have problems with old makeup. Yet still don’t discard it because they forget, feel guilty about the money they spent on it, or worry they may need it later.
I find that I have this problem specifically with my splurge products or anything that is generally pretty pricey. For example, I’ve had the same tube of Nars Illuminator for longer than I’d like to think about. I use this product almost every time I put on makeup and it still barely feels like I make a dent, which I sort of love considering it costs $30 a pop. Clearly this is something that I would probably do well to have less of considering that it’s probably definitely expired.
Eye makeup is the most common beauty product that we hold onto, so naturally, they’re also the products that expire the fastest. Stowaway found that less than 1 in 5 consumers throw away mascara within the three month time frame that is recommended.
This idea of expiration dates and safety is clearly important to Stowaway. However, I have to wonder how much of a concern this is to a large swarth consumers. Personally, I’m not much of a germaphobe. Considering that nothing has ever resulted from this practice of using old products, I don’t feel much pressure to change it.
Still, even when it does cause problems, most consumers don’t change their acts anyway.
82% of women for whom old makeup causes them to break out, still feel guilty about throwing it away.
The question then becomes about the economics and practicality around the way we consume beauty products. Stowaway allows you to create your own kit of products which are ideally small enough for you to carry around without taking up too much space.
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