I am getting over a bad flu..should I throw away lipsticks I used before I knew I had a flu virus? Or just chop the tops off of the lipsticks? One stick is a rare blood red and I would hate to have to toss it all. Any input welcome.
I am getting over a bad flu..should I throw away lipsticks I used before I knew I had a flu virus? Or just chop the tops off of the lipsticks? One stick is a rare blood red and I would hate to have to toss it all. Any input welcome.





I'm probably keep them. At least the rare one. I have no idea if that's the right thing to do though.
Last fall I threw away a bunch of makeup because tropical heat had made the glosses and sticks a germ breeding ground......ugh. I've read that you can't get re-infected by the same virus, but I don't want to provide a little home for the flu virus to breed and jump to others.





don't they die at some point without a host? I always thought that bacteria was a more nasty culprit.
Wasn't sure LoveSexMoney.....I know that the cold sore virus seems to have a good old time living in hot gloss pots, and eye liner pencils get icky. ???? Any other ideas? Hah, I'm just fishing for an excuse to buy more new makeup!



I never hesitate to throw out makeup.. even thou it sucks. One think I do to my liners and lipsticks (sick or not!) is clean them with alcohol regularly.
(I keep a box of alcohol pads in my bag)
No. Flu is a virus and they can stay dormant for long periods of time. I'm no expert, but viruses once you catch them are with you pretty much for life. Only under certain conditions are they likely to flare up and affect you.Originally Posted by LoveSexMoney
So I understand.
You are the envy
of all parallel lines that
dream of curves and convergence
- Sara Bailey: Sieve of Words
Viruses can "live" through just about anything (I say "live" because they are not certifiably alive or dead). Bacteria is the easy one to kill...with bacteria, if they don't have the proper hosts, they die...or if they are exposed to extreme temps/conditions they'll die.
I wouldn't throw out the fave lipstick. I've had the flu before and used make-up before/during/after and never had any problems...but if you want new make-up, then I say throw it all away and go shopping!!![]()


yeah, i'd keep it too....and maybe still go buy some new stuff lol



I always wonder about this too. You could always shaave the top part of the lipstick off if your worried.
Try sticking it in the freezer for a while...Maybe that would kill the buggies????



I think if you've already been sick, you're not likely to get reinfected by the same virus? Kind of like how a vaccine helps you become immune to a disease, your body is probably not susceptable to that particular viral strain anymore. I wouldn't worry about the lipstick, but by all means go makeup shopping if you are feeling the urge!
The freezer won't kill the virus. In fact, in labs, they use freezers to preserve viruses and such. The lipstick will be fine, I wouldn't throw it out. If the virus is there, it would be present in harmless amounts. I'm sure you'll be fine.
You are the envy
of all parallel lines that
dream of curves and convergence
- Sara Bailey: Sieve of Words
I threw away some, and wiped down & then soaked the rest in 99% alcohol.
I hate to say this because it scares me, but due to the direction our global health is taking (Killer flus like SARS, too many people crowded together, sharing living space) we might have to get used to doing things like this. The flu I had was so painful, fear drove me to part with favorite makeup items when I never throw anything out.
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