Thursday, October 20, 2016

Decluttering my stash

I moved to my new flat a little over two weeks ago and I think it's when you have to do a big move and pack up everything, that you really realise how much crap you've accumulated. I moved to England for university with 2 suitcases and have somehow managed to gain 5 boxes, 1 bag-for-life full of hangers and a hell of a lot of makeup. I absolutely love makeup but it comes to a point where you've got so much that a) there isn't any room for any new stuff (massive problem if you ask me) and b) a lot of the stuff you wouldn't even ever wear. So I decided the other day to do a declutter, which yes, broke my heart a little, but was much needed.

Here's a couple of tips and a rundown of what I managed to part ways with! 

Separating the strong from the weak 

You're best best is to really dump out all your makeup somewhere (I don't recommend your bed unless you make sure ALL the bottles and caps are closed tightly). You then need to organize between "Yes" "No" and a "Not sure, may come in handy one day" piles. 

The "Yes" Pile: It was clear to me what would easily go in the Yes pile. Expensive items, eyeshadow palettes I knew I loved and of course products I would 100% get daily wear out of. 

The "Not sure, may come in handy one day" Pile: This pile contained a couple of higher end products that I hadn't exactly figured out whether or not I liked them. For example, the Tarte Cheek Tint which I really want to get more wear out of, especially because it is tarte. 

The "No" pile: Goodbye out of date and dried up mascara. Goodbye bright coloured eyeshadows that I will never touch because I experimenting isn't my type of thing. 

The Deliberation 

I started off with my single eyeshadows because these take up a mass of my collection. As you can see I have a lot of Seventeen Mono Eyeshadows* which were very kindly gifted to me to test out. These are hands down incredible eyeshadows, very pigmented and for the price, they really are a great drugstore eyeshadow. My one problem is, I am just not adventurous enough for some of these shades. For example, Viva Diva is one intense turqoise shimmer shade and Regal is a very pretty deep purple toned blue, but I just don't wear them. I'm much more of a brown/golden/nude eyeshadow kind of girl. Therefore I decided to part with most shades apart from Rose Quartz (which I am absolutely obsessed with) 

Next I finally had to get rid of my Nars All Day Luminous Foundation. This foundation has been sitting on my vanity for an absolute age, untouched. I just really, really, really, dislike this foundation. I was a massive fan of Sheer Glow, but they didn't have it in stock and said that perhaps I would like to try this one. Perhaps not. Ever again. This clung to all dry patches and settled into my fine lines. It didn't feel like too much of a loss as the bottle was near empty. Chucked away. 

 


I had three mascaras as well that I had collected. Personally I don't really see a point in having more than one mascara, mainly because the difference between them isn't enough to justify having 5 to create 'different looks'.  With foundation you can justify having a couple, some for everyday wear, days you want more or less coverage or more of a matte and dewy look  etc. Same with eyeshadows, so many different looks you can create. With mascaras I don't really go "today I feel like more of a clumpy mascara" or "really feel like this look needs less volumed lashes). I chucked away 3 mascaras (in all fairness they were probably all dried out anyways) that just didn't live up to my Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

I also found 3 Collection Lasting Perfection Concealers. Like sorry, I know I love the stuff, but that's just too many. All in the same shade. Someone please help me with my stash, it's totally out of control!


Letting Go

Definitely has to be the hardest part. I am not much of a hoarder but it's quite hard to either chuck away or donate makeup to friends and family when I feel like I haven't given them much of a chance. Saying that though, if I haven't even used it in the past 4 months, what's the likelihood I will now? What I threw away mostly was out of date and totally 'not me' makeup and guess what, it's been 4 days without them and I don't miss any of it! 



So there we have it, definitely not the most organized of blog posts, or structured (ironic hey) but I'm definitely having a bit of a mare currently when it comes to organization. I haven't still been able to fully unpack or "live" in my new flat until it gets redecorated! Let me know if you've done a declutter recently and got rid of a load of products - Also let me know if you'd be interested in some sort of flat tour when it's all done!
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24 comments

  1. I would love you to do a flat tour! I'm in a process of moving places so it would really come in handy when decorating mine!

    Victoria x
    http://victressvic.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Aw thank you! Definitely will be doing one once it's all done up!! xx

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  2. I bloody love Lash Sensational, its amazing and its drugstore. I also love and have collected a s**t load of mascaras and you're so right, I never go 'ooh, i want more volume in my lashes today' haha, I think I know need a de clutter. Mind I did do a Lipstick/ Liquid Lipstick clean out, shame I only got rid of 4 products, I couldn't bare it haha. Yep, utter weak link! Have a lovely weekend ;)

    tipscapsule.blogspot.com

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    1. I know right?! Like for me I personally think like 1 mascara will do me just fine! To be fair I think I did a little better than 4 hahah!! But I literally had ZERO space anymore! xx

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  3. I decluttered my makeup at the beginning of the school year and I feel like it's so much easier to find things from my collection, especially with eyeshadows! It's so hard to get rid of things you spent a lot of money on though x

    www.beautyfromkatie.blogspot.com

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    1. Totally agreed, I feel really guilty like sometimes I've also been sent things in the 'not me' sort of shades and I don't want to get rid of them because I feel bad! xx

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  4. The bit about moving made me laugh! I moved to New Zealand at the start of the year with two suitcases. I'm leaving in about a month and I've collected so many items I have no idea how I'm going to get it all home. As for the makeup, I'm such a hoarder. I don't like letting go of make up if I haven't used it all, even if it is past its expiry. Great post x

    hannahsnotebook.net

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    1. It's ridiculous, how do we accumulate so much stuff!? And I hate being a hoarder but somehow have managed to become one! I totally agree, parting with it is seriously hard work xx

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  5. letting go is definitely hard, especially when you know you've spent money on it!
    Kathy x
    www.alongcamekathy.blogspot.co.nz

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    1. Exactly! (So I just tend to not say goodbye to a lot of stuff because of that reason haha!) xx

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  6. I find it so hard to let go of makeup items, my makeup collection seriously needs to be decluttered! -xo

    chloedanielle.co.uk

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    1. I think decluttering makeup stashes is something that not a lot of people do just because it is like parting with a child! xx

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  7. I've been meaning to declutter my makeup for about two weeks now, but I do find it a bit hard to let go of things!

    www.unpolishedbeauty.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Same here, I just knew that my collection was getting out of control and half the stuff just wasn't being used anymore! xx

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  8. I'm going to be getting rid of some of my makeup as well this time next week. I want to do a complete overhaul of the products I use and really narrow it down!

    Georgia | The Weekend Attic

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    1. Yes! Write a blog post about it too and you'll feel super accomplished!! ;) xx

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  9. Great tips! There is something so (oddly) satisfying about decluttering your make-up hah

    Thanks for sharing!

    Naya
    www.partyparrotblog.com

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  10. Great tips Caroline! I'm a massive makeup hoarder and I probably only use 25% of my makeup bag. I feel like I'm holding on to some items because of how much they cost as opposed to what really works for me.

    Amy | www.whatamydid.co.uk

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    1. Thank you lovely!! I know same I get into a rut about using the same old same old products and never actually shop my stash! xx

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  11. I deffo need a clear out too! The amount of lipsticks I have is ridiculous!

    poppyrkay.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I have to admit though..I don't think I got rid of any lipsticks?! Just because those are too hard to part with! xx

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  12. I really need to have a declutter of my stash too, and there are some great tips here! Great post! x

    http://luxuryblush.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Thank you Hannah! Hope they help if you ever do a declutter :) xx

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