Maybe you’re like me – you have a small bathroom, so spreading your makeup out everywhere doesn’t work. Maybe you stuff it all into a bag that ends up with your most-used products on top and who-knows-what-and-for-how-long products end up in the bottom, getting crusty.
Maybe you have an alphabetized system and never keep an eye shadow longer than three months. Maybe you have been sainted.
In any case, every makeup bag/drawer/vanity/studio needs a regular going over. And I was long overdue. So let this post be an inspiration to you!
First, I took everything out and categorized.
Now, some may not think this is a lot of makeup, but for me – it’s way too much. I have stuff here that’s years old and stuff that I never use – whether because I don’t remember I have it or because I don’t even like it. Why am I keeping it if I don’t like it? I have no answer to that question.
I like makeup and enjoy using the good stuff. So the fact that I spend my hard-earned money on products and then not use them…well, it makes me squirm. So I started with the eye shadow.
It was time to make some difficult decisions and narrow it down. I asked myself, “Do I have more than one in this shade? Which one is older? Is this one so hard that I can’t even pick any color up? What are my favorite neutrals? My favorite for smokey eyes? My favorite shade to wear when I’m feeling daring?
Next, I did the same with my lip glosses and my lipsticks. If they tasted bad – out! If there was hardly any left – out! If remembered getting it in high school – out!
Tools were next. I received some really nice Sephora makeup brushes for Christmas one year, so those stayed while the drugstore duplicates were out. Then, I gave them all a good wash with the same cleanser I use on my face – makes sense, doesn’t it? You use it to get makeup off your face, so it works perfectly getting makeup off your brushes and other tools!
I went through everything else – throwing away the old, chucking the unused, getting rid of practically empty containers – until I was left with a much more manageable assortment.
The carnage:
It’s practically a whole bag’s worth!
This took me a half-hour to do – I timed myself. So when you’ve got a spare 30 minutes, grab your bag and get to it!
I’m really excited to have a bag that closes, that I can just toss into my suitcase if needed without having to go in and pull out what I think I might need. And, I think I’ll actually use my makeup more now – it won’t be so overwhelming digging through trying to find the perfect shade. And I probably won’t be buying anymore eye shadow any time soon. 
You’re next, nail polish!
What organization task have you tackled recently? Any master tips for not letting this happen again?
I just did this last month and felt so accomplished. Yes, it is a small task but just to have everything organized and knowing what you have does wonders. It’s almost as good as going to the store and getting new makeup because you make new discoveries