The “haul culture” of beauty (and fashion) blogging encourages women to purchase every new release or cult product, and own a multitude of products that do exactly the same thing. Receiving beauty samples on a somewhat regular basis encourages this habit and it’s surprising how quickly drawers and countertops fill up with unnecessary, unused, or unwanted items.
Although I don’t wear it every day and keep a pretty minimal beauty bag, make-up is something I enjoy indulging in and experimenting with. I’ve never been one to hoard make-up yet still managed to unknowingly double-up on similar shades and products and I was beginning to feel overwhelmed by the small amount I owned.
I tend to buy luxury brands because I find them to be better quality and it results in me owning fewer products overall. On the most part, I’ve stopped buying make-up because I realised I had more than enough for the look I want to achieve.
Here’s what I got rid of:
· Out of date items (gross)
· Broken or damaged products
· Colours that didn't suit me
· Make-up I never wear
· Multiple lip balms (why did I have so many?)
I separated the items I could donate or pass on to friends from those that were out of date or broken beyond use; I kept any make-up I use regularly and the products I knew I would use up but probably not replace. What was left was a small collection of products I adore and use on a daily basis.
Just like I do with my minimal wardrobe, I want to pay more attention to what I'm buying (or being gifted,) why I want it and how it will fit into my beauty routine. The goal is to achieve a simple routine tailored to my personal style in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.
Here’s what I kept:
• LUSH Magical Moringa Primer
• Zao Matt Eyeshadow
• Tropic Skincare Eyeshadow Palette
• Lily Lolo Mineral Concealer
• Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
• Collection Speedy Highlighter
• West Barn Co. Soap Brows
• Tropic Lip Fudge Plumping Lip Conditioner
• Barry M Matte Me Up Liquid Lipstick
• Zoeva Vegan Prime Brush Set
• Nanshy Blending Sponge
For me, minimalism isn't about whittling everything away so barely anything remains, it's about the perfect amount of something. When it comes to beauty that means having a routine with effective, high-quality products without doubling up when one product would do the job or owning an excess of items for the sake of it. I'm far more content when I know every beauty product I own will be used and not wasted - there's something terribly rewarding about finishing beauty products - and I can really enjoy the products I have.
Now my beauty routine has been streamlined and minimised, my aim is to maintain the balance by working through the current excess and replacing products when the current ones run out, and only if I really need to.
