Hello friends!
Are you ready for the next task? Today we are going to get rid of unused make up / skincare / haircare products. Yup. Not an easy task for those cosmetic queen or beauty product hoarders amongst us.
I love discovering a wonderful new beauty product for my hair or my skin. The only problem is that I usually already have something similar at home. Over the past years I've accumulated so many natural skincare products that there is barely any space left for the ones I actually use on a daily basis... Time to declutter the mess!
The Goal
- a more manageable make up and beauty collection
- a clutter-free bathroom cabinet
- a neat make up bag with only your favourites
- a better idea of which products you need and which you don't
Guiding Questions
How often do I use this product?
When was the last time I used it?
Will I use it soon?
Does this product bring me happiness or joy?
Do I already own a similar product – or several?
Are any of the products out of date?
Are any of them broken?
Would I buy the same product again right now?
Would I buy the same product again right now?
Working Steps
1. Declutter
Remove all of your beauty products and tools from various shelves and drawers as well as any handbags that might contain some lipsticks or eyebrow pencils, and place everything onto a wipeable surface like your dining table:
make up
eye shadows
blushes
mascara
creams
lotions
shampoos
shower gels
conditioners
body scrubs
serums
toners
toners
body oils
hair spray
shaving cream
perfume
body mist
sunscreen
nail polishes
nail polish remover
make up remover
contact-lens solution
tweezers
bobby pins
nail tools
nail polish remover
make up remover
contact-lens solution
tweezers
bobby pins
nail tools
...
Clean the empty shelves and drawers.
2. Go through your guiding questions
What about that stunning body highlighter that you bought over a year ago and haven't used more than once? And what about all those half used bottles and jars that you've mostly forgotten about? Check for expiration and toxic ingredients. Here is a list of ingredients to avoid in beauty products.
3. Assess and organize
Separate your beauty products into 3 groups: keep, throw out and give away. I know, cosmetics can be expensive, which can make you think twice about getting rid of it. However, like everything else in life if you don't use it or it doesn't add value then there is no point in keeping it. Don't keep things "just in case". Hotel freebies and duplicates are a perfect example of things we don't actually need, but still can't resist taking home with us.
To help you with the decision, use up what you have but don't repurchase it to see if you actually needed it in the first place. Also think about which products you could multipurpose in the future – e.g. using coconut oil as shaving cream, make up remover, body oil and hair mask, using your hand cream for your feet too, or using a bar of soap for your face, your hands and your body and hair. Or just make your own! There are plenty of tutorials and recipes for homemade cosmetics on the internet.
To help you with the decision, use up what you have but don't repurchase it to see if you actually needed it in the first place. Also think about which products you could multipurpose in the future – e.g. using coconut oil as shaving cream, make up remover, body oil and hair mask, using your hand cream for your feet too, or using a bar of soap for your face, your hands and your body and hair. Or just make your own! There are plenty of tutorials and recipes for homemade cosmetics on the internet.
4. Return
Put the products you decided to keep back into their designated home.
Maybe try a new storage system, for example dividing everything into 3 baskets or drawers: 1) make up products, 2) products you don't use daily (such as sunscreen, foot cream, body scrub, conditioner, bath salts, body oil etc), and 3) products you use daily (such as tooth paste, lip balm, deodorant, face wash, mascara etc) aka your "can't-live-without"s.
To make future decluttering sessions easier, make it a habit to write the expiry date onto each bottle!
5. Donate / Discard
The great thing about beauty products is that they have an expiry date that makes it easy to decide whether to keep or toss a product.
Discard any products that are expired, broken or worryingly discoloured. Empty products which packaging can be recycled or reused.
Give away any products that are still in date but that you don't actually use or need to friends or family members who will get better use out of it.
Discard any products that are expired, broken or worryingly discoloured. Empty products which packaging can be recycled or reused.
Give away any products that are still in date but that you don't actually use or need to friends or family members who will get better use out of it.
6. Celebrate
You deserve a pat on the back, my friend! Well done. You could celebrate by doing a little at home spa day tonight! Pamper your face, your hair or your feet, or all of the above, and enjoy your neatly organized cosmetics collection.
♥
Maisy
