GET FREE SAMPLES

sign up for our newsletter to get free sample alerts

How to De-Clutter Your Vanity Once and For All

Six steps to the vanity of your dreams.
Photo 1/7
Raise your hand if you're dealing with way too many bottles of beauty goo on your vanity and in your cabinets. You're definitely not the only one. First of all, it's hard to say goodbye to a partially used product that you spent your money on. Even if you didn't really like it that much or haven't reached for it in months (maybe even years). Also, it's super tempting to buy new goodies, which means you have the dilemma of amassment sans purging. We called in some organizational pros to help you declutter your beauty loot in six straightforward steps.

Image via Alex Tihonov/Getty

Photo 2/7
Step 1: Write Down Your Vision
Yep, the first step involves very little physical work from you. Woohoo!

"Inspired by the mindfulness practices that stem from the KonMari Method, step one in decluttering your makeup and skincare products is to write down a vision of your ideal morning and evening beauty routine," says Kristyn Ivey, a certified KonMari instructor and the founder of Chicago's For The Love of Tidy.

To help narrow down the vision, answer the following questions:

· What does a clutter-free beauty space look like to you?
· How does your routine impact your day?
· How much product variety, choice, or collection are you comfortable with accessing and managing on a daily basis?
· How do you want the space in your home dedicated to storing makeup and skincare to look and feel?

"Once you have your vision nailed down, you can use it to ground all the decisions that follow," says Ivey.

Image via Carol Yepes/Getty

Photo 3/7
Step 2: Remove Everything
The next part of the beauty decluttering game plan is to remove all your products and lay them all out in front of you, says Rachel Rosenthal, an organizing expert and the owner of Rachel and Company. This allows you to better understand the scope of your collection and gives you a fresh start when putting the "must keep" products back.

Image via Alyssa Katherine Faoro/Getty

Photo 4/7
Step 3: Purge the Easy Stuff
It's hard saying goodbye, so ease yourself into it by tossing the things that absolutely have no use to you anymore.

"Do a quick initial sweep of the items and then pull out any trash — think empty containers of floss, used faux lashes, or stray Q-Tips," says Rosenthal. "Also, review products for expiration dates. Even in the bathroom, products do [go bad]. I use this guide here for makeup products but be sure to check the dates on your specific items."

Image via Eugenio Marongiu/Getty

Photo 5/7
Step 4: Create Piles & Purge Some More
Next, you'll want to create categories of products and items. Rosenthal notes this will be slightly different for everyone since we all have different items and routines. The key is to create category piles that make sense for you — like hair care, foundations, medicines, tools, palettes, etc.

"Review your categories for duplicates and declutter where possible," advises Rosenthal. "For example, do you really need 12 mascaras? Are you ever going to use that clarifying shampoo that you can't stand the smell of?"

Having "like with like" will allow you to see what you have more easily to be able to part with the items you don't need. Oh, and also take note of the items you may need to restock. Two birds, one stone!

Image via drewhadley/Getty

BY WENDY ROSE GOULD | JAN 21, 2021 | SHARES
VIEW COMMENTS
Full Site | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
TotalBeauty is a property of Evolve Media Holdings, LLC. © 2024 All Rights Reserved. | Affiliate Disclosure: Evolve Media Holdings, LLC, and its owned and operated subsidiaries may receive a small commission from the proceeds of any product(s) sold through affiliate and direct partner links.