It's no secret: buying makeup can seriously add up. No one wants to pay hundreds of euro for a whole new makeup kit all the time, but a new beauty trend could change that. Introducing: dumpster diving for makeup. Yep, it sounds a little gross but some beauty bloggers swear by the practice of rifling through cosmetic companies' bins in the hunt for free (and hopefully unused) products.
One vlogger, Shelbizleee, took to YouTube earlier this year to show off her $2000 makeup haul from Ulta. It's racked up 1.5 million views from people who were equally confused as intrigued. She prefaces the video by saying "I don't give a shit" about what people think about her dumpster diving - she says she's saving the environment by saving products from the bin.
Since her video (and maybe even before), a busload of vloggers have been doing similar videos where they do it too. So WTF is dumpster diving and how do you get away with it? Oh and how do you clean the makeup you find?
Shelbi told The Independent, “When I think about the reality of the world we live in, and the wealth inequality that exists, I compare it to the things that are thrown out like it is no big deal and it blows my mind.
"Usually, it takes multiple dives to gather up a large amount of make-up with a huge price tag so any one dive can range from zero to $1,000. It is very hit or miss", she said.
As for whether it's legal, Shelbi says in this video that it depends on the jurisdiction so it's bets to check with your local police. She also says that if you get caught and security tells you to leave, leave. She said if you put up a fight it could give divers a bad reputation.
She sanitises all the products she picks up and says in her cleaning video that she sprays the products with an antibacterial spray then scrapes off the top layer. She doesn't touch liquid products like liquid lip or eye products as they may contain bacteria.
Advertisement
“I say that everyone is their own person and has the free will to make their own decisions. You can watch what I do and decide if it is for you or not. I don't use any liquid products or anything that cannot be sanitised. I understand the risks associated and take precautions as necessary.”
While many people have been positive about her dumpster diving efforts, Shelbi said that some people "tell me I’m disgusting, poor, or white trash but I do not have time to worry about these people. I’m too busy saving thousands". Touché!
Watch her video below and tell us, would you ever dumpster dive?
