How to Organise Your Makeup Collection

For many of us, makeup is more than just a beauty routine, it’s a passion, a creative outlet, and sometimes, a collection that can easily get out of hand. Over time, our makeup stash can grow to include products that we no longer use, expired items, or things that just don’t quite fit into our daily routine. The result? A cluttered, overwhelming mess that can make it difficult to find what we need.

If you’re ready to reclaim your space, simplify your collection, and create a more organised beauty area, you’re in the right place! In this blog, we’ll share some top tips for decluttering your makeup collection and explain how self storage in  Reading can be an invaluable tool for managing products you want to keep but don’t necessarily need every day.

1. Empty Your Makeup Drawer

The first step to decluttering your makeup is to take everything out of its storage space. This includes makeup bags, drawers, and any containers or baskets where your products are stored. When you see all your makeup laid out in front of you, you’ll get a better sense of just how much you have, and how much of it you use.

2. What You Use vs. What You Don’t

Once everything is out, it’s time to go through each item one by one. The goal here is to keep only the products that you love and use regularly. Here’s how you can sort through your collection:

• Keep: Items that you use on a daily or weekly basis, or products that are still in good condition and serve a clear purpose.
• Toss: Expired makeup (such as mascaras that are over 3 months old, or foundation that has changed colour or consistency), products you haven’t used in over a year, or anything that no longer works as expected.
• Donate: If you have items in good condition (especially unused or barely used products), consider donating them to a friend, family member, or even a local charity or women’s shelter.
• Store (for later use): If you have products that you love but don’t use often (such as seasonal makeup or special event items), consider keeping them in storage until you need them.

Tip: Test the consistency and smell of your products. If anything smells off or has changed texture (clumpy mascara, dried-out lipstick), it’s time to say goodbye.

3. Create Categories and Group Items 

Once you’ve pared down your collection, it’s time to organise what’s left. Group similar items together (foundations, eyeshadows, lipsticks, etc.) so you can easily find what you’re looking for. A few storage tips:

• Use clear storage containers or acrylic organisers to help you see what you have at a glance. Drawer dividers, makeup trays, or stackable organisers work well for small items.
• Use a makeup bag for on-the-go items that you use frequently or want to keep easily accessible.
• Store palettes and larger products in a designated area so they don’t get lost or damaged.

Tip: If you like to rotate your makeup for different seasons, consider creating a “current rotation” section for products you’re using right now and store the rest in a less-accessible place.

4. Keep Track of Expiration Dates

Did you know that most makeup products have expiration dates? Using expired makeup not only risks skin irritation or other health issues, but it can also cause your products to work poorly. For example, an expired foundation can separate, making your skin look patchy.

• Tip: Label your products with the date you opened them so you can keep track of their lifespan. Most makeup should be discarded after 6 to 12 months (mascara, foundation, lip products) or longer if the product still smells or performs well.

5. Use Self Storage for Seasonal and Specialty Items

Even after decluttering, you may still find that you have more makeup than can fit into your daily rotation. That’s where self storage comes in.

How Self Storage Helps with Makeup Decluttering:

• Store Seasonal Makeup: Certain makeup products are used more during specific times of the year—like vibrant summer bronzers, winter skincare items, or holiday-themed palettes. Instead of cluttering up your vanity with off-season items, use self storage to keep them safe and organised until you need them again.
• Store Special Occasion Makeup: If you have makeup specifically for events, like a wedding, costume party, or photoshoot, but don’t use it regularly, self storage is a great option. This keeps your space tidy while ensuring these products are still easy to access when needed.
• Keep Extra Stock in Storage: If you prefer to buy makeup in bulk (maybe you’ve found a holy grail product you never want to run out of), use self storage to keep your extras safe and organised until it’s time to replace what’s in your everyday makeup bag.

Tip: When using self storage, consider renting a small unit to keep your makeup in a safe, dry environment. You can even invest in climate-controlled storage to protect sensitive products from temperature and humidity fluctuations that could cause damage.

6. Make the Most of Small Storage Solutions

Even if you don’t have space for a full self storage unit, there are many ways to organise your makeup within your home. Here are a few clever storage hacks:

• Drawer organisers for lipsticks, brushes, and eyeliners.
• Acrylic makeup holders for easy access to daily products.
• Magnetic strips for keeping smaller items like tweezers, scissors, or bobby pins in one spot.
• Over-the-door organisers for makeup bags or smaller items.

7. Stay on Top of Your Routine: Regularly Revisit Your Collection

Once your makeup collection is decluttered and organised, make it a habit to revisit it every few months. Doing this will ensure that your collection stays streamlined and up to date, and it’ll prevent clutter from creeping back in.

Tip: Set a reminder every 3-6 months to check expiration dates and reassess what you’re using. If you notice that something has been sitting unused for a while, it might be time to pass it on or toss it out.

Decluttering your makeup collection is a great way to simplify your beauty routine and create a more organised space. By sorting through what you use, getting rid of expired or unused products, and organising what remains, you’ll find it much easier to maintain a tidy vanity.

If you’re dealing with seasonal or special occasion makeup that doesn’t need to be front and centre every day, self storage can be an invaluable solution for keeping your collection organised without sacrificing space at home. Whether you’re storing extra products, keeping seasonal items safe, or just needing a little extra room, self storage can help you maintain a clutter-free space without giving up the beauty products you love.