I used to have this strange habit of being so excited to buy a product and then only use it a few times, or stop using it before it was all finished. I’m not the only one out there who does this, right? So that left me with all these skincare products, makeup palettes and a million lip products I wasn’t using…ok I’m kidding about a million. But seriously, I had 20+ lipsticks and glosses that I didn’t use! My 5 drawer Muji acrylic case was overflowing with makeup, and I was probably using 10% or less of it.
Currently two of those drawers actually house makeup in them, the rest houses jewelry. The top drawer is what I use on a daily basis, and extras in the second drawer. At the moment, I have a more minimal approach to makeup. Some of that is laziness and some is that my current collection works for my life at the moment. That’s not to say that you should also feel a need to have a small makeup collection, but I find it so helpful to not have to spend time thinking of which eyeshadow out of 50 I want to wear today. You know what I’m talking about, those makeup palettes have so many choices!!
Initially, when I did a ruthless purge, I had guilt about throwing away so many expired makeup products, most of them designer brands with hefty price tags that had barely been used. But I told myself that I would be more thoughtful when choosing new products and to use up all of the product before I bought a replacement. I’ve stuck to it, and though I choose brands that tend to be priced higher than the average, I don’t feel guilty about the price because ultimately I am buying less and actually saving money in the long run. And I like and use everything I have.
So if you want to get your collection down to a manageable size, or just a simple declutter and clean, use the tips below to help guide you through the process. As you go along, consider what your daily routine consists of, whether that’s a 5 step or 20 step process, as make sure to have those items represented. From there, consider what extras you need or would use….
1. Makeup Roundup
First things first, gather all of your makeup and tools into one spot. Make sure to use a surface you can wipe down to avoid unwanted stains on carpets or rugs. Don’t forget to check for products in purses, various makeup bags, and the random coat pocket if you’re me. I find it helpful to arrange everything according to type, to be able to see how many of each I have…this also might expose an unknown addiction. Tackle one category at a time. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t decide, just set those items you’re on the fence about in another pile to go through after the process is finished.
2. Expiration Labels
I actually didn’t know what this symbol meant for the longest time, but its on there for good reason. I hate to gross you out but bacteria, viruses, and fungi can grow on your makeup. Throw out any makeup that is expired or has a strange smell to it. When in doubt, throw it out. No one wants a red puffy eye from bacteria because they didn’t throw out their mascara when they should have…unfortunately I’ve been there. But really, who remembers when they bought each product? To help you keep track, use a small sticker with the purchase month and year as a reference.
3. Broken Makeup
Quelle horreur! The one sight you never want to see…broken powder in the bottom of your makeup bag. But fear not, you might be able to salvage it. If there is any powder left in the original container, use a dropper to add rubbing alcohol and then use the back of a spoon to press it back into the container and let it dry out completely before using. It may not perform like new, but it’s worth a try. Likewise, dried out cream based products like eyeshadows can be revived with a few drops of saline solution or coconut oil.
4. Unflattering
Don’t make yourself suffer and potentially look like a clown because you have buyer’s remorse. If its an older product, its best at that point to throw it out. If its barely used, some stores will give you the option to return a truly unliked purchase, or maybe it might flatter a friend or family member. Who doesn’t like free?! Also, if you can’t remember the last time you used something or know you won’t be using it again in the future, its best to part ways with it.
5. Unused
We’ve all been there. On your latest beauty haul you went a little crazy and bought what felt like the whole store. But then you got home and realized there’s no way you’re ever going to wear that hot new lip color. Return any newly purchased products that have been unused and opened. If you’re not able to return it, new and unused makeup can be donated. Friends and family are obvious choices but also consider nonprofit organizations.
6. Duplicates
This is the same principle as your closet. Just as you would ask yourself if you need 20 white shirts, do you need 10 red lipsticks or a dozen different foundations? Ok, you might be saying yes, I need those 10 reds, they’re all different shades of red. Fair enough. Find what works best for you, and edit accordingly. But if you don’t think you’ll use something before the expiration date, I’d say its best to get rid of it now.
7. Brushes
I had one brush from a big name makeup company that would literally shed on my face every time I used it. I eventually got fed up with picking off individual brush bristles and threw it out. If they are old and falling apart, pitch them. They aren’t really doing their job at that point. If you have more brushes than you need, or some you no longer use that are in good condition, these could be donated to family and friends. Don’t feel like you need to have a large brush set if you only really use a few to apply your makeup or prefer fingertip application.
8. Clean
Now that you have finished the process of sorting, take the time to clean what remains. Give brushes a through clean with a gentle cleanser. Make sure to clean your brushes on average once a month, but if you are using the brushes with liquid products, I would wash them more often. I use Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap with some water in the palm of my hand. Just make sure to not submerge the brush head so it doesn’t loosen the bristles from the handle. Use alcohol sprayed on a tissue or cloth to wipe down makeup containers, makeup bags and cases. Be careful with acrylic so you don’t scratch it. I use my Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap on this as well after wiping away any dust for light cleaning, and Novus if my acrylic case needs serious cleaning.
9. Home
Now that you’ve decluttered and cleaned, it’s time to organize and find a home for everything. Having an organized way to store your makeup will help you in the long run. No more digging around your home while you’re getting ready in the morning. I personally like acrylic drawer systems. You can easily see everything and it looks nice wherever you put it. Or it could be something as simple as a small makeup bag stored on your vanity. If you’re not sure where to start, Pinterest is a great way to get storage ideas to find what might work best for you.
10. Repeat
If you have any stragglers that you weren’t sure of before, give them a second look over. Repeat the process if necessary, including actually applying the makeup to see if you still love it or not.
Whew! I’m sure your makeup bag looks and feels lighter. Now that you’ve narrowed your collection down to a manageable size, are there any products you need to replace? If so, use this opportunity to consider products that are organic, vegan, and cruelty free (your face will thank you). Having a smaller collection will allow you to splurge on nicer products than you may have purchased in the past.