04.2025
Declutter time!
Was feeling a bit guilty for having been swayed during the holiday 'twixt times and got an email reminding me that 9 (NINE!!!) eye shadow sticks are currently winging their way toward me.
I do not need 9 shadow sticks. I can use up maybe 3 a year if I dedicate myself just to them.
But there was a sale and I was tempted and even though I purchased (with points!) a replacement shadow stick that I longed to use again, I fell prey to research and reviews and pretty colors.
So to deal with the guilt of new Shinies, I decided to clear out some of the makeup in the bathroom (which is unrelated to the makeup stored away in the bedroom which I haven't touched in ages because the last few years I have been lazy and just used what was nearby).
My original goal was to clear out at least 10 items so make up for the 9+1 that I was adding. One in, one out.
Then I became ambitious and cleared out 39 items!!!! That's nearly 4x the number I planned to declutter (part of me is tempted to add one more item to make in an even 40, but I am trying to keep it organic).
I won't list out in detail because the actual products don't matter, but here is the gist:
14 Super Shock shadows
The impetus of my declutter, since that now I have migrated to shadow sticks, I never touch these any more. It hurt to get rid of a few beloved shades that were dried out, and there was one that was basically just a few crumbs and I had a moment of sentimentality as I thanked it for its years service. But most were ones that were expired or that I never wore and would never wear. I could have stopped there since I already met my goal, but I had momentum that I didn't want to waste.
4 liquid eye shadows
3 were dried out or the applicator broken, and 1 when I tested it dyed my skin and I was like "nope." I never really used them and they won't be missed.
1 liquid eye liner
I never use liquid eyeliner. This was a GWP that I hung onto with the idea that "maybe I will want to use it one day." Lol no.
4 full-size mascara and 6 mini mascara
These were all pre-2019 mascaras that I never opened or used. There's no reason in the world anyone should attempt to wear mascara that's over seven years old. Plus I have dozens and dozens and dozens of newer mini GWP mascara that I can use.
1 eye shadow trio
This was a brand that I had always wanted to try and I was glad I did, but I got this from a beauty box and the colors weren't for me. I clung onto it longer than I should have.
6 blush/bronzer
Most of these (all but one, maybe?) were GWP. They are not my shade. This is why GWP is not a life goal.
1 face powder
I bought this with the full intent to use it. I tried it once and hated it. I kept it because it's full size and I paid full price for it and I could totally find a way to make it work. Except I keep avoiding it and would rather just use the products I like. Lesson learned.
2 lip balms
One was dried out and funky and I remember not being a fan of the flavor. One was newer and untouched, but I have it's twin (duplicate GWPs) that I've been working through and I'm not a fan, and will likely declutter that one, too, because there are too many other products I'd rather use.
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I still have way too much makeup. I also have a huge collection of lip products to go through but I ran out of energy, so it can wait until the next time I want to add something to my collection (haha... I think...). There were also a few products I was on the fence about and decided to keep because I'm not trying to be ruthless, just honest with myself. I mean, even though I got rid of some, I kept a dozen blushes that I don't really need but make me happy because PRETTY!
Overall, I am proud of what I accomplished and that I tidied up my bathroom storage a bit and will hopefully use more than the same five products I use all the time now that I've reacquainted myself with has been stored away (out of sight, out of mind).