top of page

How a makeup hoarder finally ‘let go’ of a collection

If you have ever hoarded anything - from pop memorabilia to bat shit (some people are weird) - you will know letting go of something that has become part of who you are is tough. In fact, it’s beyond tough; it evokes a gut-wrenching form of grief. For the makeup hoarder, cosmetics are not just familiar, cherished possessions; they are functional pieces of decor. As well as prettying up your face, they make a statement about your brand choices by putting a stamp on your home.



Surrounding ourselves with things we like helps us to create a safe, comfortable environment. It’s a mind thing. And when something makes us feel good about ourselves, it is easy to let that interest turn into an all-consuming passion. Once we get a little too comfortable with all those products that we just keep adding to, it can be psychologically traumatic to let go. 


As a self-confessed makeup hoarder, I tell myself lies, or beef up the truth, to hold onto as much as I can for as long as I can… 


You paid good money for that. It’s sought after. It was a limited edition. It’s sold out.


But there comes a point, even for die-hard collectors, when something’s got to give. Shelves bulging under the weight of palettes? Cube units no longer providing enough space? Vanity tops teeming with products? Girl, the time has come!


The time came for me to downsize my makeup collection this weekend. I was in one of my regular online hangouts - a place for fans of a certain brand to come together and chat about everything that brand, like the obsessives we are - when something caught my attention. Underneath copious images of people’s collections, shared to inspire display and storage ideas, were a few detracting statements, like: ‘Why do people need so much makeup?’ ‘Makeup does have an expiration date, you know.’ 


Oops! I was sitting there reading the comments thinking I’ve got in excess of 150 palettes - and that’s just the eyeshadow palettes. In all honesty, I hadn’t even used some of them beyond an initial swatch. And more than a few had been left to gather dust for literally years - just because I liked the packaging or because I thought any serious collector should have them.


All these messages were hitting me up with thoughts of over-consumption and greed. Was I being greedy to hoard makeup? The reality of my lack of floor and wall space was beginning to sink in too - at a time when I quite fancied treating myself to a new dressing table. One of those with a tempered glass top and jewellery drawers, no less. The particular vanity I had my eye on also has shelving, drawers, lights, and even a hair dryer dock and charging station. And… It was on a money-off deal.


My existing dressing table is small. It doesn’t have a light-up mirror and, aside from the countertop and a slim drawer, has zero storage. On the other hand, the one I had my eye on is large (more than double the size), has plenty of storage, a touch mirror and loads of other totally cool features. I really, really want that, I was thinking. But how would it look in a cramped room? My God, the sudden urge for space that swept over me like a tsunami was unreal.


I envisioned myself living a neater, more orderly life. I could see myself dipping a hand into a drawer, pulling out everything I needed from one place and then beautifying myself in front of a lighted mirror. Damn it! Out came the debit card and 40 seconds later that Black Friday no-brainer dressing table was all mine. 


It’s being delivered on Friday.


Makeup hoarder and the BIG declutter


I’ve learned something over the past 24 hours: kindness is a positive that spawns more positives. Right from the get-go, I decided I wanted to give away anything I didn't want to keep that was new or almost new. The thought of someone else getting pleasure from things that have been a joy in my life was the driver. Creating bundles for specific people (neighbours’ children, friends, etc) has really spurred me on. I’ve added things to the ‘Give Away’ pile that just a week ago I would have scratched your eyes out to keep.


A bag of cosmetics given away by a makeup hoarder
One of the larger bundles of makeup I gave away

Sharing my passion for cosmetics has made me feel less of a makeup hoarder and more of a person who wants to inspire others. For young people, in particular, I think makeup is great for confidence and skills building. It has the ability to nurture an artistic streak and is an awesome way to get creative. It’s not about turning young girls into Barbies; it’s about sparking imaginations and boosting self-esteem. 


How have I decluttered and what have I given away or binned?


I started small, decluttering my vanity top and small drawers first. Anything broken, well-used or gunky-looking went straight in the bin. Items that were new or barely touched were placed in product specific piles, i.e. lipsticks, eyeshadow palettes, etc. 


Once I’d waded through that initial phase, I was raging to get to the cube units. After that, I tackled heaving shelves and chests of drawers. I found things I had forgotten I’d bought as well as some long-lost treasures - like a snow globe palette and neon body paints. Once I had everything in piles, I had to decide what I wanted to keep. Not easy, to say the least.


To ensure I didn’t roll back on my initial intention, I allocated two large drawers only for eyeshadow palettes and decided early on what products would be going either on or in my new dressing table. My ‘to keep’ list was determined by my answers to the following questions:


  • Have you reached for this product lately?

  • Are you likely to reach for it in the near future?

  • Have you got anything similar that you are likely to reach for more?

  • How important is this product to your collection?

  • Is the product worth anything to another collector?


Duplicate products were the easiest to discard. I lined up a row of boxes and started building bundles to give away. Honestly, that process was so triggering - in a good way! Once I knew which box was going to who, I was able to curate the contents for that specific person. I found myself reaching for palettes I never thought I’d part with this side of the grave just because I knew it would appeal to the person who was going to receive it. 


Were there things I didn’t part with but should have? Yes! I’ve got the entire I Heart Revolution Chocolate collection - and I never, ever use a single shade. Why are they still taking up precious space in my home? Because I’m a makeup hoarder and they were the first palettes I collected. I’m not quite ready to live life without them. I’m sure the day will come, though. 


I’ve also clung onto my Gothic Beach palette by Jeffree Star, even though it only gets used once a year at Halloween. My excuse? It’s collectible. That’s actually a poor excuse, but hey-ho.


Other than duplicates, I found giving away sets quite easy. Anything in a box or case went. So too did unopened lip glosses, tinted moisturisers and face palettes. New beauty blenders, spoolies and concealers were also given away. As were quite a lot of finishing powders and bronzer compacts. 


Makeup organised into drawer trays
How I envisage the future!

More space, more order


What has the declutter meant space-wise? I’ve been able to completely dispense with the cube units as well as a repurposed vegetable rack. Shelving is now clutter-free with zero makeup. I’m loving the miniature succulents and reed diffusers that have taken its place.


My old dressing table is being moved into the spare room, which has very little furniture, tomorrow. Once that is gone, an entire side of the room will be bare; nothing on the floor and, apart from a neon heart and a light curtain, nothing on the walls. This is the space I have created for my new dressing table. Because I want it to be the focal point of the room, I don’t want anything else near it. (Maybe my PLouise Sleigh-Over case, but we’ll see.)


I’ve gathered up all my drawer trays and dividers so that I can organise the space inside my new dressing table from day one. I want to start off right and be organised. Having a specific place for specific items will make them easier to find and save me time in the mornings. 


My declutter isn’t quite finished. I’ve still got crap on top of a wardrobe and plenty of clothes that need to go to a textiles bank. I’m tackling all of that as soon as I post this feature. There’s no point leaving the job half-done. When I’m ‘in’, I’m all-in. I’m that sort of girl.


Going forward, I aim to be much more selective when it comes to purchasing makeup. I’m already slowing down. I noticed the change when I didn’t feel compelled to buy Beauty Bay’s Botanical palette. 


What am I left with? I'm not going to completely deprive myself of makeup. I've kept hold of around 50 palettes as well as all my new-ish staples.


I’ll always love makeup, but having too much just isn’t cool anymore. I’m done with being a makeup hoarder. What about you?

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page