How to Declutter Makeup: 6 Tips to Simplify Your Products

Inside: Overwhelmed by the amount of makeup that you have? Use these tips to declutter makeup and simplify your products.

When was the last time you decluttered your makeup?

Chances are, it’s been a while.

When you think about decluttering, you typically think about your closet, or your kitchen, or your living room.

Not your makeup.

But just like everything else you own, it’s easy to find yourself with way too much makeup.

As difficult as it can be to say goodbye to products we’ve spent good money on, makeup clutter can be a real problem – and there’s really one way to address it. Decluttering your makeup is painful but necessary, and when you’re finished, you’ll be glad you did it.

But before you can celebrate, you’ve got to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Why Is It So Hard to Declutter Makeup?

While it’s easy to recognize clutter elsewhere in your house, makeup clutter can easily fly under the radar for longer than we should probably admit. And even when we recognize it, we usually don’t want to acknowledge it – so we let it go. 

Why is it so difficult to declutter makeup?

• Makeup is expensive. Let’s be honest. Makeup is not cheap. Decluttering makeup can feel like you’re throwing money into the trash – which isn’t something we like to do. 

• It might look like new. You might’ve only used that eyeliner or nail polish a few times. It looks practically untouched. Getting rid of something that looks perfectly good can be tough.

• It has sentimental value. We can get surprisingly attached to the stuff we own – including makeup. And saying goodbye to stuff that feels meaningful to us isn’t easy.  

Signs It’s Time to Declutter Makeup

Regardless of how your makeup collection got out of control, there are some clear signs you should recognize when it’s time to declutter your makeup.

Not quite sure if you’re at the point where decluttering is needed? If you have to ask yourself the question, it’s probably time to declutter your makeup. But if you need a little more evidence, consider it time to declutter your makeup if…

• You can’t actually find what you’re looking for. If you have so much makeup that you’re constantly unable to find the specific lipstick, mascara, or brush you’re looking for, it might be time to say goodbye to a few things.

• You’re hoarding expired makeup. Most things in life have an expiration date – including your makeup. If you can’t remember when you bought a particular product, that isn’t a good sign – err on the side of caution, especially if it’s something you haven’t used in ages.

• You’re holding onto things you don’t actually use. If your makeup collection includes products you literally never think you’ll wear again, why keep them around? Save some space and throw them out.

How to Declutter Makeup

Ready to declutter your makeup collection? Put on your favorite playlist, roll up your sleeves, and make it happen by following these simple stems:

1. Take everything out.

To begin, it’s important to know what you’re really working with. Empty your drawers, bags, and containers. Put all of your makeup in the same place – somewhere you can assess everything at once. 

You might be truly surprised to see just how much makeup you actually own. You aren’t alone – especially if you’re someone who sticks to a pretty standard daily routine, it’s easy to forget about all of the other products you’ve purchased and totally neglected.

The good news? You might rediscover some old favorites as you go through your collection!

2. Get rid of makeup you no longer need.

Now, it’s time to purge. Evaluate your collection, product by product, and throw away anything you don’t actually want to keep. Say goodbye to anything that is expired, looks or smells off, wasn’t properly closed, or isn’t something you’ll ever use again.

While you can donate unused and unexpired products to local organizations, you can’t donate items that have been used. Certain types of makeup shouldn’t be shared with others (i.e. mascara), but for types, if they are still in good condition, consider gifting to a friend or even within your local Buy Nothing group.

3. Sterilize your makeup tools.

When was the last time you actually cleaned off your makeup brushes and sponges? 

Technically, you should be cleaning them off after each and every use – but if you’re not doing that, a good deep cleaning once in a while is a must.

If there are tools in your collection that are past their prime and need to be retired, consider this a good time to replace them. 

4. Determine the best spot to store your makeup.

Did you know the bathroom is NOT the greatest spot to keep your makeup?

That’s right! Between the humidity, the heat generated from the shower, and the germs that come from coexisting in the same space as your toilet, it’s generally a good idea to store your makeup elsewhere. 

If your makeup collection needs to relocate, scope out a good spot in your home to store it all before you progress any further.

5. Keep your most-used products and tools somewhere easy.

Chances are, there are specific products in your makeup collection that you use almost every single day.

Don’t make it difficult for yourself to get ready each day. Instead, find a way to keep these items easily available.

Whether you keep them in a dedicated drawer or on top of your vanity, stow them in a clear bag or bin, or choose some other storage solution that works for you, there’s no wrong answer – as long as it works for you!

6. Leverage makeup storage solutions to keep everything contained.

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When it comes to organizing and storing your makeup collection, there are so many options to choose from it can almost feel overwhelming. Properly organizing your products can help prevent clutter from piling up again.

You can opt for a countertop storage solution, like this storage case display. Lots of little compartments can keep items sorted and make it easy to find exactly what you need.

A rotating countertop makeup organizer is another great option for people with lots of makeup and not a ton of counter space. 

Got lots of like items? Keep your collections together with dedicated holders for lipstick, eyeliner, nail polish, and other products. 

And if you need your makeup collection out of sight and out of mind? Opt for a closed container, like a travel makeup case. Not only do these make it easy to bring your makeup collection on the go, but it’s easy to store beneath a counter or inside a cabinet, making it a great option for anyone embracing the minimalist aesthetic. 

With so many options to choose from, it’s important to do a little bit of research to find the right makeup storage solution for you. From acrylic cubes to repurposed jars and everything in between, you can find all kinds of ideas on Pinterest for inspiration!

What is YOUR biggest challenge when it comes to decluttering makeup? Leave a comment and let me know!

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