The first months of a new year are all about fresh starts and clean slates, and that can mean a little housekeeping too. In this spirit of self-improvement, we have an easy resolution for your makeup: lose the dead-weight beauty products. Before you make the effort to organise your makeup or beautify your vanity, toss the stuff that’s weighing you down for a new simple and streamlined beauty vanity.

It’s as easy as sorting your cosmetics into the 3 categories below.


Time to Toss
+ The old stuff. Makeup degrades over time, so find out the lifespan for all of your cosmetics in our makeup maintenance post. Then, check expiration dates and toss what has expired.

+ The last dregs. When you’re down to the stump of a liner or using a cotton swab to dig out lip colour, toss it. That goes for the palette with one shade left in it, too – that colour has faded with time anyways. Buy replacements or upgrades and if you can’t find the exact colour, embrace something new. It could even be a blessing in disguise.

+ The products that have gone off. Toss anything with a noticeable change in texture (drying, thinning, thickening, or separating), pigment change or bad odour.

+ The tools that are falling apart. Torn sponges, broken or matted brushes aren’t doing their job properly and can even contain bacteria. Toss them.


Keep or Repurpose
+ The flattering tones. Keep cosmetics that complement your skin tone and work with your skin type.

+ The favourites. Keep products that suit your personal style.

+ Clean brushes and sponges. Try our gel brush cleanser, designed to extend the life of our brushes and miracle sponges, and the brush cleansing palette, which makes cleaning brushes a snap. Both can keep your tools clean and sanitary and extend their lives.

+ Duplicates. Keep if you use them often and they are in good condition. If you have triplicates, toss the third if it’s expired or give one away if unopened.

+ Bland or bright lipstick. Repurpose pigment by trying it as a blush.

+ Broken lipstick. Purchase an empty palette, melt broken lipstick and to create a custom palette and keep using that colour.

+ Beautiful containers. Clean pretty containers and repurpose them as art or storage.


Give Away
+ The bad matches. Foundation or concealer that doesn’t match your skin. If it’s too dark, you may be able to repurpose and use a drop or two to customise your foundation if you get a tan.

+ The meh. Makeup that doesn’t look good on you or feel “right” for you. This may sound obvious, but how many products do you never wear, but hold onto because it’s a good brand and you’ve already bought it? It probably isn’t a keeper if you’re not sure, but get a second opinion from your stylish friend. If the consensus is meh and the product is still in good condition, find it a new home. If it’s in bad shape, toss it.

+ New and never-used products. Give yourself a deadline to give away the cosmetics that just aren’t for you, don’t just throw what you never have and never will use back into your drawer.