Decluttering Your Make-Up Drawer

 

TOO MUCH STUFF

Why do I hold on to so much stuff!?! I’m not really a make-up/beauty type of gal but mercy me do I hold onto the stuff anyways.

I bought some eye shadow some time ago … a long time ago…and I don’t even wear eye shadow!! Smh. Do you do similar things? Buy something on a whim or because you like the color palette or because it’s something different and you think yeah, maybe I’ll like this.  Then you get it home, maybe try it once or twice and then go back to your old routine.

It all starts off quite innocently, perhaps even optimistically. We find ourselves thinking, “I’ll definitely use this another day,” or “This item will be just perfect for that special occasion.” There’s a sense of future utility, a promise of value to be had down the line. But then, for one reason or another, we don’t end up using it. Maybe we forget about it, or the occasion never comes, or a better alternative presents itself. Regardless, the item remains unused, relegated to some corner of our space. Then, this cycle repeats itself, over and over again, as we continue to acquire more items. All the while, we’re busy living our lives, preoccupied with our daily routines and responsibilities.

What we don’t realize is that, amidst all this, clutter begins to accumulate. It grows, almost imperceptibly at first, then rapidly taking over our living spaces. It’s not just about physical space; it’s also about mental space. The clutter isn’t just in our homes – it’s in our minds, weighing us down with its silent presence.

Suddenly, one day, we find ourselves amidst piles, drawers, and shelves full of stuff. We look around and all we can see is an overwhelming amount of items – TOO MUCH STUFF! We’re left wondering how it got to this point and how we can possibly begin to tackle the mountain of clutter that has quietly grown in our midst.

 (Side note: Did you know that it’s been proven that excessive clutter can cause unnecessary anxiety and stress. More on that in a future post.)

OLD MAKE-UP

The foundation I currently own has been with me for quite some time now, and I find that I only reach for it about three times in a year. Hunting for a perfect match that complements my skin tone and texture can be quite a challenging task. The texture often feels heavy on my skin, sometimes flaky, at times overly creamy, or even a peculiar mix of all these. It’s fair to say that I’m not an avid user of foundation. That’s just the way it has always been for me. Instead, on a regular basis, I lean more towards using a pressed powder. I find that it’s sufficient for my needs and it gives me the kind of coverage that I’m comfortable with.

I’m sure most of you are aware that makeup expires or has a recommended ‘best by’ date.  Sadly, I didn’t know this.  Seriously, I really didn’t. Never even thought about it until a friend mentioned it one time and I was horrified at what products I may be using that I’ve had for the last 1,467 years. 

Were you aware that there are innovative tools such as mobile apps designed specifically to assist you in tracking the expiration dates of your cosmetic products? These handy apps can be a real game-changer in maintaining the quality and safety of your makeup, helping you avoid using products past their prime.

Here’s a great article about makeup and expiration:

https://www.allure.com/story/does-makeup-expire…

I also found a website that used the batch code to help me identify when the foundation (Covergirl) was made.

https://www.checkfresh.com/covergirl.html?lang=en

DECLUTTER and TIDY-UP

So it’s all of these small things that can clutter up a space in a hot second. I am getting rid of the old items and things I don’t use anymore. It’s time to tidy-up and reorganize this space. Sorting and uncluttering the drawers in my bathroom makes for a happier and more enjoyable space to work. After all, who wants to start the day and apply makeup in a cluttered and disorganized space?!

I emptied the drawer completely, and then began discarding the old items. That was simple. The challenge came with the “maybe” or “what if” items. For instance, what if I discard this glittery purple eyeshadow (which I don’t actually own), and then one day I need it?  

Here’s the thing – if you REALLY need it, there are tons of stores that sell it and you can go buy it, right?  In fact, maybe you love purple eyeshadow and that is perfectly fine.  And if you’ve been looking for a great purple eye shadow I just located this “Electric Violet” collection, so there ya go! It even has 4.5 stars!!  You’re welcome.

In any case, you understand the concept.

Moving on, after deciding on all the items in the drawer, I began to carefully replace the remaining items. To my surprise, they fit perfectly, with no extra clutter! 

Now, I have a simple and organized space for my makeup. It’s your turn next. Go to where you store your makeup — be it a drawer, shelf, cabinet, or bag — and start discarding old items. Retain only those you are certain to use. Dispose of the rest, or give it to a friend or family member if it’s still usable.  

Find you some containers or boxes to organize what you have left.  I have had my containers for quite some time so I could not find the exact ones I have; however, I did find some that are VERY similar – I may even like them better. You can find them here.  Here is a before and after for reference – 

 

Until next time – happy decluttering friends!

~ Life With Less Stuff