If your make-up collection is anything like mine, it includes the following types of items. Makeup you:
- Like and use all the time
- Thought you’d like at the store, but don’t
- Wore when you were younger
- Bought for a special night out that you don’t wear when special night out comes around
- Got for free
- Bought online that is not good
That about sums up my make up collection! I’m a bit of a reformed junkie – my collection is pretty under control, but I have purchased A LOT of make-up in my day. So I speak from experience when I provide to you the following steps to declutter your make-up:
Step 1: Take Everything Out
You know the drill by now! Take everything out of where you store it. Every last 1997 Revlon lipstick!
Step 2: Sort and Discard
Start by sorting everything by category – lipsticks, eyeliners, powders, etc.
Then go through each item. If an item meets the following criteria, then discard it:
- You don’t wear it and would not wear it.
- It is old.
Believe it or not, make-up has expiration dates. It’s painful to hear since many of us have spent loads of money on this stuff. Each piece should have a little symbol on it with a number in the middle. This indicates the number of months it is good for. It looks like this:
But if you can’t find that, here are some basic make-up expiration guidelines:
- Eyeliner: 6 months to 1 year
- Lipstick: 2 years
- Mascara: 3-6 months
- Blush, eye shadow, and other powder cosmetics: 1-2 years
- Foundation: 6 months to 2 years
It’s like ripping a band-aid; just do it and get it over with!
Step 3: Clean
Wipe down the drawers or cabinets where you store your make-up and all of the containers. If your containers are really gross, take them to the kitchen and wash them with hot water and a bit of dishwashing liquid.
Step 4: Organize
Put your culled down collection back in a way that makes sense for you. Sort like with like – lipsticks together, foundation together, etc. If you’d like to get some new make-up organizers, here are a few that we like:
STORi Premium Quality Clear Plastic Makeup Palette and Brush Holder
hblife Clear Makeup Brush Holder Organizer
STORi Clear Plastic Makeup & Vanity Drawer Organizers | 10 Piece Set
Bonus Step: Wash Your Brushes
Don’t think about the last time you did this – you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life right now. Just get a bar of soap or some old shampoo and wash and rinse them all. You’ll feel so accomplished!
And now you’re done! Good for you. Try putting on a little bit of make-up everyday to make yourself feel a little more human. And maybe try out those lipsticks that you kept but weren’t sure about? Take a picture of your organized set-up and send it to us!