Women Dumpster Dive For Free Makeup

Start makeup dumpster diving? The internet has tutorials. Shelbi, a 23-year-old cosmetics enthusiast, oversees a popular channel.According toMakeup dumpster-diving tutorials are a big thing."uses YouTube and Facebook to teach young girls how to dumpster dive for makeup."

Shelbi's debut video, broadcast in November 2016, has seen over a million views. Since then, she has streamed her trash-picking adventures on Facebook. She recovered over $2,000 worth of makeup in one week. Brands include Gucci, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and Dolce & Gabbana.

If you won't wear fishing boots and rubber gloves to wade through trash, why would you?

Do high-end stores use a waste-not philosophy? Think again. According toStyleCaster believes stores toss high-end makeup out often., stores like Ulta and Sephora discard much product regularly. They do this not because staff or management support it, but due to health rules. However, one person's trash is another's treasure; one tester's used bronzer is another wearer's finished look.

A "Scrooge" is not just a grumpy person around holidays. Some stores ignore dumpster diving, but others actively destroy good items destined for the landfill.According to, some companies attempt to destroy good makeup.Racked shows companies trying to destroy good makeup., one anonymous Ulta employee admitted they took "painstaking measures" to make beauty products useless:

"We had a serious dumpster diving problem. My manager got punched in the chest when diving. She had a big bruise. After that, we started breaking the makeup down. It becomes a messy mix of makeup and containers, making the work safer because people are less likely to dive."

This sounds like Jerry Springer. The average dumpster representing an "unsafe" work area seems unlikely, but that's fine.

Most makeup found in dumpsters cleans up easily with alcohol spray. Still, developing a rash or skin condition remains a technical possibility.Cleveland 19 News reports infection is a risk., and dermatologist Elma Baron says picking through bins for gilded trash is not worth it.

Dr. Baron says bloodcurdling infections, like itchy, red, inflamed skin, acne, or eruptions resembling acne, can take several forms. She also points out that sealing a product does not make it safe. Exposure to certain temperatures and sitting out time determine safety.

Sanitizing dumpstered makeup is easier than you think. For eyeliner and lip pencils, use the old pencil sharpener trick. Spray eyeshadow palettes with rubbing alcohol. You can also sanitize most blushes or bronzers, as makeup blogger Shelbi states.ShelbiUnpackaged lipsticks are a gamble. Slice off the top layer of the tube usually works. Liquid lipsticks cause more trouble because they resist easy sanitization. Most items should be fine unless a rat spat in the vial.

Dumpster makeup doesn't always mean gently used testers. Many rejected products remain in their original packages. They often passed expiration dates, but that does not mean they are unsafe or ineffective. Many technically "outdated" cosmetics remain safe and effective.xoJaneA contributor chronicling dumpster diving found packaged makeup and many good personal care products. Most of these items were fresh, undamaged, and unused.

For some dumpster divers, reselling found cosmetics is more than a side job.Various reports show this.Some people use retrieved beauty products to pay student loans. Practitioners estimate they made $10,000 to $15,000 over a few years.New Jersey resident James JuganJames Jugan claims reselling dumpster-bound cosmetics accounts for "100%" of his income.

Dumpster divers focused on testers versus returned items have tricks. Look for these methods.theDaily MailReturned items have a "distinct sticker." Some people run online stores where others request specific "re-upholstered" products. One Facebook auction site gained 2,000 members in one month.

High-end dumpster retrieved perfume beats high-end dumpster retrieved makeup. The internet has videos.videosThese videos show olfactory finds that are delightful. Guerlain, Lancome, Balenciaga—you can likely find their elixirs near a dumpster.

This means more than saving or making money for many. It also shows a bigger economic and environmental problem.InBroadlyShelbi explains this point about cosmetics-scavenger.

Coming from someone who cares about social issues and economics, I think this reflects our economy. If you find this gross, I do not care. I believe my actions help the planet, and I respect your different view. Just do not watch it.