Hi Ladies! My mother and sister like to shop for department store cosmetics like Lancome and Clinique. What this means is, they get a lot of free sample gifts of makeup and pretty, printed makeup bags -- you know what I am talking about. They will open the gifted makeup bag and the plastic baggie-like wrapping around the makeup samples to check what the blush or eye shadow palette looks like and if there are colors that do not suit them and they don't want to keep them, they will pass them on to me. I am thrilled to be getting free high-end cosmetics -- which I will sometimes pair with my drugstore purchases -- but it has gotten to the point where I have way too many of these makeup samples. I probably have like 15 different eye shadow palettes in my makeup bag as it is, for example, and a lot of them are in colors I have never worn, nor plan to wear. My mother and sister have drawers full of lipstick shades that are not suitable for their skin tone or mine, as well as brand-new makeup bags, and they are just sitting there, unused, which is a shame.
They have also gifted me moisturizing lotions, tinted moisturizers, age-defying products, and wrinkle-removing creams, etc. that I frankly have no use for. Most of them come in boxes, though some are just tubes that came in loose, in the plastic wrapping. I have a bag full of products that I am collecting for donation and would like to pass them on to someone who would enjoy them. I thought of "Dress for Success", an organization that helps women prepare for job interviews and assists them in getting clothed and made-up for these professional settings. I figured they could use the makeup. I called my local branch, but the problem is, because the cosmetics are no longer in the plastic wrapping baggies they came in, they refuse to accept them, even though I have told them they are new. I was wondering if anyone knew of any other similar organizations that would accept brand-new cosmetics, even if they are not wrapped.
I would hate to dump all these perfectly good cosmetics and lotions, knowing someone could truly benefit from their use. If you could suggest some organizations to me, I will call them and find out (and of course, let you all know which ones accept unsealed makeup, in case you also find yourself in this predicament in the future!). Thanks to all!
Thanks for your suggestions! I called around a few places and found that one of the largest homeless shelters in my city has a thrift shop that will accept the makeup. They actually said I can bring used makeup too, and they could clean it. They also accept used perfume and shampoos. They run a thrift shop and the money they make from selling these items will benefit the homeless. I am very excited because my sister has tons of shampoos she has tried and not liked and just stored them in a cabinet. Now those shampoos can benefit someone. I have some nice clothes that no longer fit me that I can donate as well. So many people dump used clothes, artwork, school supplies or mismatched dishes, but this organization takes them all, I am glad to know I have a place I can go to on Saturdays to drop off donations and help others in need :) I read that they sell vintage items too and furniture, so I may end up even buying a few things while I am there.
as long as they are not open and used? Women's Shelters take make up for the women there.
There is also an organization called "dress for success" - https://www.dressforsuccess.org/
good luck!
Around here the women's shelter accepts anything that is new and unopened.
Try women's shelters - you'll have to go through an intermediary in most cases because shelter addresses have to be kept secret if they accept battered women vs. homeless women. You can ask your local police department's domestic violence officer (call the regular business line or stop in, don't use 911 of course) if you don't have any other contacts.
Interfaith Hospitality Network, if you have a local one.
Local churches if they have have outreach services.
Call your local food pantry and ask - ours gives out toiletries (lotions, moisturizers plus things like tampons etc.) but might not take make-up if they are full.
See if there is a group home that deals with developmentally disabled adults.
The nursing home might be able to take the moisturizers - not sure if the residents can manage the make-up. Also call your senior center to see what they can do - even if they don't have needy clients per se, if have a fundraiser now and then where they give out gift baskets or goodie bags, they might be able to use them.
It would be unhygienic to donate anything that has been opened/used.
Bacteria grows on anything that's been used - as it is they recommend throwing out anything that's been in use for a month.
I shop often at thrift stores. I see make up and creams and lotions on the shelf. Some looks well used. I don't know who buys it. I haven't paid attention to know if it gets moved off the shelf.
Dress for Success and similar charities were my first thought. Sorry they couldn't take the makeup. See if there is a similar charity in the area that collects gently used prom dresses and distributes them to teens whose families can't afford dresses--there is a charity like that near us. I bet they might accept makeup.
Believe it or not used makeup is a hit at yard sales. I even saw a young woman in her 20s buy a bag of used (clean/washed) thong panties. You would be amazed at what sells.
Secondly, do you have girlfriends? Church friends? Why not take it to work and tell your co-workers what you have? Have a brunch and invite friends over to take them.
There are SO many ways to get rid of this treasure.
Makeup is kind of like food, in that it can spoil an be contaminated, so if you truly want to donate it, keep it sealed in it's original packaging and try a local woman's shelter.
As you were told, opening the plastic seal renders them unsuitable for donation. There is no organization that will take the legal risk of accepting donations based on your word.
I would suggest Freecycle or a similar local sell/give Facebook group, where the decision is up to an interested individual.
