Totally a first-world problems question, I know, but we’re all makeup addicts here (aren’t we?), so this is an issue I’ve run into in the past and one I’m experiencing presently because I’m trying to clear out the makeup clutter, but it is SO HARD with certain things — especially eye palettes and blushes, and especially the pricey stuff, like Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana.
Why is a 12-year-old Chanel eyeshadow quad THAT I NEVER WEAR so difficult to part with? I swear, Marie Kondo would have a field day with me.
Easiest things for me to let go of are old mascaras. I can toss those tiny tubes without a second thought. Same goes for lipgloss. Oh, and liquid foundation, but that’s probably because I have a low-key foundation addiction and find a new one to love every five seconds, ha ha ha.
How about you? What are the hardest things for you to let go of when you’re de-cluttering your makeup collection?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I have trouble throwing any away because of the pang of guilt that it’s going to sit in a landfill until long after I’m dead. I really hate how much makeup is wrapped up in so much plastic. In fact it’s legit one reason I don’t buy makeup a whole lot. Just so much plastic packaging. I’m alarmed at the seemingly new and increasing rate of consumerism of makeup. There are new product launches every month. This is simply not sustainable. It makes my head spin. Le sigh.
But to better answer the question how I think you intended it, I have the hardest time getting rid of lipstick. They are the most nostalgic for me and many shades and scents trigger memories! ?❤️
Oh I was thinking about this earlier today. Everyone who loves makeup has to wrestle with the waste she is creating. Even if you recycle, sell makeup on Poshmark or give it away to a friend, you are using up resources and creating waste that will sit in a landfill since you cannot recycle it all. The makeup industry is a multi billion industry and it’s delusional to think that isn’t leaving a huge impact on the environment!
Not in Denmark, here we burn our waste and filter it, so the pollution isn’t that bad, and get our houses heated up from it. I don’t get why the rest of the world doesn’t do this.
Answering the question; the only thing I have a hard time getting rid of is eyeshadow palettes. But the oldest I had, the original Naked palette, I decluttered and bought anew.
That’s interesting about the burning. I didn’t know that was an option. Hmmm
Wow! How does Denmark handle air pollution? Do you really burn plastics and everything? We can’t even burn wood on some days where I live because of this issue. I’m curious! This is very intriguing!!
And… the hardest thing for me to get rid of is lipsticks. I always think I’ll use it again!
We have great filters on our chimneys. And people’s private chimneys have to be upgraded actually, so soon, by law, so you can’t pollute yourself at home, because of filters. We don’t have smog here. Plastic we have started recycling in private homes along with of course cardboard, glass and food waste.
Uggh. This is such a thorn on my side. I end up giving a lot of stuff away to family and friends.
Anything limited edition — especially MAC products. Doesn’t matter if that shade no longer flatters me, I have heartache letting it go.
Definitely higher end makeup is harder to part. Not only bc of the money I spent but bc it’s more difficult for me to get my hands on. For me to go to a Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, or TJ Maxx etc I must drive at least an hour. If I shop online, it’s more difficult to return. All that effort and the extra cost, makes me want to hold onto my makeup!
Bc MAC was the makeup I always lusted after, it’s hard for me to part now that I am able to buy though back to MAC makes it a little easier!
I agree foundation, concealer and mascara is easier to toss. I don’t “hoard” those items. I buy one use it up and then move onto another and I’m not really loyal to anything. Blush, eyeshadow, lipstick I hoard and there so many things I love and cannot part. Only if it turns rancid, will I toss a lipstick. But I need to hold onto slightly different nudes and peachy coral lipsticks and cannot part unless I absolutely must!
Eyeshadow, especially palettes. Lipsticks are pretty hard to let go of, too. Easiest are concealers, brow products, and mascaras.
That’s the same for me. I have a lot of palettes which I never used (I have some since my 18th birthday, 12 years ago ?).
It’s just that I can’t let go them, because looking at them, in my mind I think: “Oh my they are so pretty and cute! And if I wanted to use them in a short time?” So that’s why I can’t de-clutter my palettes ?
I def have a hard time with the eye shadow pallet too. When I became celiac I had to get rid of makeup that I knew had gluten in them but a couple months ago I had to get rid of all the makeup that wasn’t all natural. I have to say I almost cried cause it was at least five hundred dollars worth or more right into the garbage can. Ouch I feel your pain. Lol.
I’m so glad you said that because I felt guilty about my honest answer which was “any of the expensive brands”. Even if it’s a color I know I won’t wear, I still think “maybe someday!”. I do give away a lot of products I definitely won’t use (shadows, mascaras, most lipsticks) or I’ll bring them to work and use them for testing brushes and cleaners, etc. It’s especially good for the foundation samples that come in 4 shades so 3 would normally go to waste.
I agree, I hate to throw out make-up! I have some foundations from 5-6 years ago. And honestly I have thrown some out that I really don’t like. What I have, I wear occasionally. Mascara is easier to toss, why is that?
Eyeshadow palettes. I rarely wear bright bold colors anymore and yet I swear I have at least half a dozen purple/lilac/violet themed quads. Also luxury palettes. I have a hard time letting go of Chanel and TF.
Lipsticks I’m constantly tossing. And I never keep an open mascara tube past the 3 or 4 month mark (I put a label on it with the date I open it and first use it).
Samples. I have tons of those little gift with purchase samples and I hate tossing them but sometimes the products are so odd I know I’ll never try them. Wish I knew of a local charity that would take them.
Appalachian Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 1211
Skyland, North Carolina 28776
If you send your old mascara wands to the above address, they will use them on birds and wildlife that have need for special care after injuries, disasters, etc. It won’t cost much to drop them into a padded envelope, and what a wonderful way to give back!
Thanks for your continued first-rate blog and hugs to CC and Tabs. Oh, and El Hub . . will we ever get a quick look at him?
In all the years I’ve followed you, I have no idea . . .
Hi Leigh,
THIS IS AWESOME. Thank you so much for the info and the address; I plan to send mine to them soon! 🙂
I’d love to know which Chanel palette that is that you can’t bear to part with Karen! I find it hardest to throw out eye palettes too, mostly because I have never managed to finish one and it feels so wasteful. I don’t find it hard to throw away anything liquid or cream after a certain amount of time because those types of products have a much shorter shelf-life than dry products. Like others have commented, I do feel bad about the amount of non-recyclable waste that the beauty industry generates.
Eye shadow palettes from Chanel. I have several that I don’t wear, but when I open them, I think how pretty they are and I can’t bear to toss them.
I’ve gotten lazy lately and have been using shadow sticks or cream pots for eye shadows since they don’t require a brush that requires cleaning.
My grandchildren come over and eye my eye makeup. So I tell them to ask me first then I give it to them .
That’s controlling clutter .
Man, what a coincidence – I had just finally parted with my old NARS 413 BLKR cheek and lip palette yesterday in my first step towards paring down my ‘makeup museum’. That one was by far the most difficult one to dispose of, because it was in my mind the ‘entryway’ item into my hardcore makeup collecting. I’d stopped using it long ago, but felt I ‘HAD’ to keep it out of brand loyalty. I’m still recovering from the traumatic experience (lol).
I hear you on how difficult it is to toss out your Chanel palette. I have trouble tossing out any luxury brand, even items that don’t work with my complexion because I love the consistency, texture, and vision each company have when the products are launched – even if I don’t necessarily agree with the marketing angle employed (“Uncle” Francois, “Auntie” Charlotte, “Auntie” Coco, and “Uncle” Tom in particular. Each have a drawer dedicated to just their eyeshadows and blush palettes, and 24 lipstick slots on my lipstick organizer. Extras are kept in storage containers). But it’s not only brand loyalty, it’s a matter of money spent versus usage for me. The less I used the product, the more I’m determined to keep it so that I can give myself time to figure out a way to use it (me: ‘Ooh, this lipstick is too bright and orange, but maybe if I mix it with a darker neutral color, I can make it work…’. It never works out haha).
Some women’s shelters etc will actually take donated unopened and gentle used beauty products, same with some hospitals/patient care with terminal diagnosis or stay of longevity. Great way to declutter.
Also have you ever thought of doing a blog sale/swap. I love getting a good deal on Bentley used things to show em some love and a nicer price point in the event I couldn’t afford full retail.
I have a hard time letting go of higher end products I spent a pretty penny on… it’s just so freaking hard man!
ooh how I would love to have your chanel leftovers! I don’T think I’d part with anything Chanel, especially nail polishes
Eyeshadow! I’m pretty good at getting rid of things, and my reluctance to get rid of eyeshadows is so silly because I rarely wear it due to eczema! I have a box of barely used things I’m giving to a makeup artist friend though.
Expensive items that are have a cult like status. I feel like I should keep them because of the money I spent and because they are so loved by the beauty community LOL. Like right now, I have two ABH shadow palettes and I don’t use them. I declutter all the time, and I put them in my ‘sale’ bag, but I still haven’t been able to actually sell them. I don’t want to LOL… but I don’t use them. Well, at least they’re not taking up space on my makeup vanity I guess … ?
Anything high end because I just can’t get rid of something that expensive, thankfully most of my collection is under 5 years old so most of it is good except a couple of primers & foundations that I have already decluttered. I also have a couple of sentimental pieces that I keep even though I don’t use them, like the Clarins eye quad we used for my year 12 formal & a limited edition Star Wars mascara.
Such a good question!! Like others have voiced above, I find it harder to part ways with ANYthing for the sheer fact that it’s contributing to the insane level of waste generated by the beauty industry rn. Lipstick is definitely the toughest for me, though. I definitely have tubes from early college days a decade ago. All the memories!