A Makeup Detox.
As a makeup obsessive and beauty blogger, my makeup stash can get a little out of hand. I end up having regular makeup detoxes because I end up with so much clutter – products that I just don’t need. I’m actually pretty ruthless when it comes to downsizing my stash, so here’s a few pointers if you’re in the same boat…
01. The Six Week Rule
I usually stick by this six week rule for just about everything in my house, I really try not to hoard stuff I don’t need as it just gets ridiculous. If I haven’t used something for six weeks, and I don’t see myself using it for another six weeks, it has to go. Obviously there will be some items that don’t really fit in to this, like seasonal shades and whatnot but I think it works quite well for me when I’m trying to downsize. I grab a couple of bags – one for the bin and another for stuff my friends will want – and go through my makeup stash. You may have seen my makeup collection in this post – I’ve had to squish it all in to the front row of that MALM dresser so it has to be streamlined!
02. Consider The ‘Best Before’
Makeup, like food, has a best before. Did you know that mascaras are only meant to be used for three months after opening? Most products last around a year, providing you’re clean and hygienic with them – there’s a full post on Nouvelle on this so go by that when you’re downsizing. I always think that if I can’t remember when I bought it, it’s time for it to go in the bin! If you look on the underside/back of products, you will see a little tub picture with a number next to it – e.g my handcream next to me on my desk has a tub with ’12M’ on it. This means that the product will last for 12 months (one year) after opening.
I’m not overly strict with hair products but I don’t keep skincare that has been opened for longer than a year, and probably a year and a half to two years for makeup. Go through and bin anything that could be a potential health hazard!
03. Swap O’Clock
I always think it’s a good idea to have a swap with your friends once a month, especially with products that broke you out or just didn’t work for you – rather than wasting your pennies, swap it for something you’ve been meaning to try but your BFF didn’t get along with. One girl’s junk is another girl’s treasure, and all that.
I tend to keep a box on hand for anything that just didn’t work for me, and I’ll let my friends pillage through it when they come round. I obviously don’t ask for anything in exchange because I already have a silly amount, but if you have a minimal collection it’s the perfect way to try new things and get rid of products you didn’t love without wasting money.
04. Reshuffle
I have a set of MUJI drawers on my dressing tablet that I use to store my ‘daily essentials’. I try to rearrange this once or twice a month, taking out the primers and eyeshadows and everything else and having a good old reshuffle. This way I discover products that have been hiding out in my dressing table, so it feels like I’ve been on a little shopping spree. I found that I used to lose track of products completely before I did this regularly so definitely keep it up!
05. A Makeup Ban
I find this last point a little hard as a blogger, but if you’re a non-blogger (muggle?) it’s usually easier. Although obviously I get sent products and buy products just for upcoming posts, I do try to leave new products unopened until I’ve finished up my already-in-use products; for example, if I get a new shampoo and conditioner, I tuck them away in my bathroom cabinet or a little box I’ve set aside in my office for ‘to try’ products – this way I actually get through my beauty products and use things up rather than having 76 cleansers on the go at once. I tell myself I don’t need to buy or open any more makeup until I’ve used up what I’ve got and eventually my stash seems to slim down.
Do you have any tips for detoxing your dressing table?
