Dr. Pepper and Belly Jelly Donut

Mmmmm, belly jelly donut.

I, by no means, am a hoarder. That said I have recently discovered that I may have a weird attachment to chapsticks. Having found no less than twenty one, unsealed, mostly expired, sticks of joy, I think it's time to let some go.

Tubes that are on the chopping block:

1. Expired. Yup, there is such a thing as expired chapstick. Though the date may be really small, it's most likely there, usually in conjunction with SPF ingredients. Oldest chapstick in my collection: April 2003. Seriously, that's disgusting and also that's twelve years past the use by date. Those that have no label and I know to be old were also included in the category.
2. Distasteful. Don't worry I know that you shouldn't eat chapstick. This knowledge was obtained circa Lip Smackers era when Dr. Pepper just smelled too good to be true (it was too good to be true and so was Candy Confetti and Belly Jelly Donut). However, tastebuds may still get a lick of this stuff and if it tastes bad, smells bad, or in my instance makes your lips tingle in a worrying manner, it should definitely be discarded.
3. Dirty. You know, from being in the bottom of your purse or the floor of your car; contains hair, sand (and you haven't been to a beach for years), dirt or dust on the cap or even inside. Don't risk it. Your life is too precious. Throw it away.

The ones that make it through the gauntlet you should keep, but don't let yourself buy new until you have used up the old! Try your hardest to ignore the 6-pack Eos for $14.99 on display at Costco. Keeping minimalism in mind, you don't need multiples of the same thing (even if your mom makes you free lip balm made from all natural ingredients). This doesn't just apply to chapstick; my endeavors included all lip gloss, lip tints, lipsticks, lip balms etc. When you've recovered, move on to your makeup drawer and your bathroom cupboards. Even if you got it for free, use it or lose it man.

CONFESSION: I have a long ways to go still, but pared down to 3 lip balms, 4 lip glosses (1 unopened), 1 chapstick and 1 lip stain. My goal, umm... less than that.

Total: 9 damnit.

Need not,
Josey