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Beauty Products - Would you buy used?

18 May, 2014 - 10:00pm by - First Lady | 24 Comments

Article by BR Natalie

Recycling.  Upcycling.  Paying it forward.  As a society we're learning the value of these terms, not just to the world, but also to our pockets.

Here's some facts about women. We like beauty products.  We like bargains.  We love beauty bargains.  But when it comes to recycling beauty products, where do we draw the line?  It's one thing having a friend or family member offer you something from their stash, but what about buying used products from a stranger?

There's been an influx of 'bathroom clearouts' on Trade Me of late, with sellers streamlining their bathroom cupboards and vanities and selling job lots of unwanted beauty products and cosmetics.  Some brand new, others 'tested once' and some quite used.

Premium brands like Nars, MAC, Urban Decay and Smashbox are often listed used (or 99% new) and looking for new homes.  Now a cynic (or a conscientious consumer) may question how you know these are in fact genuine products.  But isn't that just the tip of the used beauty product iceberg?  Hygiene being the more concerning factor to most.

As a huge fan of 'getting messy' I regularly use my hands to apply my makeup.  Which is why I don't share. The thought of other people's fingers in my foundation gives me the heebies, let alone me using somebody else's foundation.  (You seriously don't want to see me near an open tester at the cosmetics counter...) And what about lipsticks?  Eyeliners?  Mascara?  Do we even want to think about the bacteria on those?

The only beauty product I can kind of understand selling on is perfume (unless it was in a roller) but even then there are other factors to consider - you don't know when the product was bought or opened, if it was stored properly, how many other people have used it (what if the seller is a sharer?)

So it might be obvious what my opinion is on this, but hey, it's Beauty Review, and you are our experts, so tell us your thoughts!

Would you buy used beauty products?


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Comments

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areyoualexis
25th June, 2014

1) Only from people I know and 2) If it's sanitizable, for example with lipsticks you can easily spray the bullet with rubbing alcohol. I would never buy used eye products or things in jar packaging.
MrsWhitlow
31st May, 2014

I run an upcycle/recycle/sustainability blog; I am all about saving the planet and sharing for a better future. I will buy perfume (spray bottles)..... But never makeup, NEVER. Is no-one familiar with eyelash mites? Most people have them, they also live in the brows. Most of the time they happily co-exist with their host without them even noticing..... Just gross, don't buy second hand makeup!!!
Kymberleyp
28th May, 2014

No no no the perfect way to pass on infections and germs. Also you don't know how long the product has been sitting in their draw. Scary things like lipsticks and gloss being previously used on someone with cold sores or foundation, make up brushes on somebody with pussy spots or impetigo. Honestly it's just not worth the risk. I only purchase beauty products that are sealed just in case somebody has put dirty fingers in it in the shop. There's a reason why beauty products are sealed, manufacturers wouldn't waste money doing this if there wasn't a valid reason. Take heed you have been warned!!!
MissQT
25th May, 2014

Personally no, not for a stranger. This is for hygiene reasons and passing of bacteria. I'll borrow m sisters makeup or swatch a friends make up that I want to try, but I'd never buy make up that is used. Especially mascara.. Lipstick you can sterilise with isopropyl,but it'd still prefer to buy brand new. The only thing I would buy second hand would be body moisturiser/body butter,as its not used on the face, or purfume like mentioned in the article.
Lutece
25th May, 2014

I cringe the most about people selling used mascara on trademe, eyeshadows can be sanitized, I've brought a few eyeshadows on trademe 99% full but do buy my majority of makeup brand new
Kellyleanne
24th May, 2014

No, I wouldn't buy used beauty products...yuk!
mallomiss
24th May, 2014

ewwww I cannot stand the thought of using a used Lippy or Mascara that someone else has used! Bacteria! ahhh! I agree with the likes of Perfume - it could be off... in fact most make up products have a shelf life don't they? It could be a complete waste of money.
kirstyg
24th May, 2014

No, no way would I buy used product. I will buy second hand as long as it has not been opened. You have no idea what those fingers have touching in used products, eewww!
Lefemmenikita
24th May, 2014

The only product I would buy used is perfume (spray varieties only). That's the only way you can get hold of certain fragrances, such as discontinued ones. I don't really have an issue of hygiene with these. The only thing I do check before purchasing though, is how they have been stored (asking the question on auction sites)
Emsky
24th May, 2014

No way! You have no idea what's been done with that product and there's some nasty people out there sadly. It also means you can't guarantee it's the real product.
gtsgrl
24th May, 2014

It's funny, I've sold a heap of no longer wanted make up on Trade Me and it's always sold, so there is a bunch of people out there that do buy it. Personally, I would buy pump foundation, nail polish or perfume second hand but never anything for my eyes or lips. I've also got bargain hair care stuff at garage sales that had been used.
jbarwick
24th May, 2014

No I wouldn't, the risk of infection is too great. Bacteria is becoming resistant to all our antibiotics and therefore why place myself at even more risk. I hate it when I see mothers asking on freecycle for make-up for for make-up parties for their daughters. Not only are they putting their own child at risk but someone else's also.
vintage_ink
24th May, 2014

So I did once, a revlon foundation that had been used with ONE pump, it was in a pump top so i figured no harm right? I think it was old to be honest.

BUT!!! I have a question!

You may not buy used products...BUT!!! Would you use a product used once maybe twice from your bestie......hmmm???

Like foundations for example....
thejasmine
24th May, 2014

Nope, I wouldn't. I wouldn't feel good about it not knowing where it's come from, what may have got into it, how old it is, how it's been kept and used......the list goes on. I do occasionally sell a clear out collection if I need some cash though haha.
georgina_burke
24th May, 2014

I don't think I could do that. Sure, as friends we swap and use etc, but to actually buy? I think I'd be stuck on the "what if germs" factor. It doesn't sound overly hygienic (ironic, Iknow, iI know!)

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