What's the seasonal equivalent of a spring clean? An autumn airing, a fall freshening-up? Well, whatever it is, that's what I did this weekend, and I have to say it was more fun than expected. This decidedly un-me activity was triggered because I was looking for my favourite mascara (Benefit Bad Gal Lash, since you asked), couldn't find it and then, in a fit of rage, decided I'd bin anything I came across in between, the rule being that if I hadn't used it for six months, I clearly wasn't going to.

I started nervously: nothing went directly into the bin, but rather into yes (keep), no (bin) and maybe (ummmm) piles. Inevitably, the maybe pile was the largest, and the no pile consisted mostly of broken lipsticks, smashed face powders and lip balms that seemed to have crumbs of toast in them.

I talk a good talk when it comes to throwing out old make-up. I am forever advising anyone who'll listen that a mascara past its sell-by date (six months max) is the easiest way to pick up an eye infection, and that any product you put your finger in will go off super-fast, and as you wouldn't eat gone-off food, why would you put gone-off lip balm on your mouth?

But when it comes to walking the walk, I'm the worst of the lot. I buy make-up obsessively, have never knowingly finished a lip gloss, and believe the hype every time a new product is launched. It's as hard for me to throw out make-up as it is for most people to throw out clothes, except that with make-up I can't even kid myself that at least someone will benefit from my excesses (try taking a second-hand lippy to a charity shop and see what happens). But no more.

After staring at the three piles of make-up, something snapped. I grabbed a carrier bag, and filled it with the no pile. I then grabbed two more bags and filled them with the maybe pile, then I chucked the whole lot into the nasty bin outside before I could change my mind.