Back in the day YouTube was all about the makeup collections and showing off the huge amount of products youd hoarded over the years. In this drawer I keep my lipsticks *opens drawer to reveal 500 lipsticks* But the...
Back in the day YouTube was all about the makeup collections and showing off the huge amount of products youd hoarded over the years.
In this drawer I keep my lipsticks *opens drawer to reveal 500 lipsticks*
But the concept of drawers and drawers of makeup feels a bit alien to me now, especially since downsizing my collection earlier in the year.Its been a gradual process for me, but now everything fits into one large drawer in my vanity desk and Im trying to keep it that way. Now lets be real, Im well aware that my makeup collection is still bonkers compared to the average gal, but considering the amount of products that come my way, Id say its become a bit of a skill to decide what works for me and what doesnt.
The way I think about it is what use is gorgeous makeup if its just sitting in a drawer waiting to be used? I only have one face and someone else could get much more pleasure out of it by actually using it. So I often do charity sales (usually either for Coppa Feel or Rett UK), share with friends and family and I keep on top of expiry dates so I dont keep hold of old products for too long.
Ill try new products because its part of my job, but I can tell almost straight away if its something I want to pass on or add to my stash. If its something I want to try work into my routine Ill either use the one in, one out rule (if Im feeling strict that day) or squeeze it in and give it a few weeks before making my final verdict. Usually after a few weeks I either cant be without it or feel indifferent and in that case Ill pass it on for someone else to enjoy.
FIVE TIPS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR STASH
Have everything on show. If its hiding in the back of a drawer youll never use it, so dont layer products on top of each other, make them easy to grab and use. Categorize your makeup. By separating them into bundles youll clearly see what you have too much of and what you need to stop buying every time you pass a Space NK. Try everything. Theres no use having a gorgeous blusher sitting in your drawer thats never been touched. Try it on and decide if it works for you! Have a clear-out before you look to buy new products, do youreallyneed another bronzer or do you have one to finish off first? Keep a wish list of products so you can always go back to it when youve finished something up. Look into local homeless shelters, or donate to Beauty Banks, a non-profit organisation thatprovides toiletries and cosmetic products to people living in serious poverty.Its ok to have fun with makeup, you go buy that palette and love it, I know I do. But I also think were all striving to live a more minimalist life these days and it can almost feel like a burden having more products than you have time to try. Maybe now its about using less products, but using the ones you really love daily until they run out. Well thats more what its like for me now anyway.
Photos by Lydia Collins
