A woman’s unexpected discovery went viral on Reddit after she discovered that the red purse she had just bought was not empty.
The photos, captioned: “I thought I bought a bag, I found a time capsule inside,” have received more than 16,000 upvotes since January 24.
Inside she found an old collection of cosmetics, mostly nail polishes, including several bottles of Christian Dior and a compact makeup container that looked like powder and eyeshadow.
Barbara, who goes by user LegNo9469, explained: “The piece was in poor condition, I cleaned it as best I could and I knew no one around would see the value.”
In another comment, she added: “(It’s) very rare to find cosmetics because most people throw them away. I’m glad you kept it.’
Barbara told the user that she bought the bag at a local store in La Coruña, Spain. In the comments, one person wrote: “This is great! I wonder how old she is? 70?” Barbara replied, “As far as I know, from the 1940s to the 1970s.”
Others chimed in with their memories and enthusiasm. “My grandmother had the exact container of chocolate powder,” said one user.
Another added: “One wallet is a great find. Definitely one of the coolest charms I’ve ever worn.”
The viral revelation comes at a time when frugality continues to gain popularity. A 2025 Talker Research survey commissioned by online marketplace Mercari found that 66 percent of 2,000 Americans now regularly save to balance their budgets. Almost one in six (17 percent) shop second-hand once a week, with Gen Z doing so more often than other generations (28 percent).
But the appeal isn’t just about saving money, with 51 percent saying they enjoy the thrill of getting a bargain, 42 percent enjoy finding unique items, 28 percent look for collectibles, and 30 percent just enjoy the atmosphere of the stores.
Although Barbara hasn’t said what she plans to do with the vintage makeup (and there’s no mention of her using it), experts are wary of wearing vintage makeup.
According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, most cosmetics expire within one year of manufacture, although guidelines vary: Mascara and liquid eyeliner last about three months; eyeliners and lipsticks up to a year; water-based for one year and oil-based for up to 18 months; cream products from six months to a year; powder up to two years; and lipstick from one to two years.
Old makeup can clog pores, harbor bacteria, and cause redness, irritation, or acne. Moisture build-up can cause mold growth, and the base can rust and discolor over time.
A strange smell, change in texture, separation, or dried-out mascara are all signs that the product should be thrown away, and experts warn against adding water to dried mascara, as this promotes the growth of bacteria. To reduce contamination, people are advised to wash their makeup brushes every seven to 10 days.
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