How to Clean Out + Organise Your Beauty Products

Has lockdown given you the urge to get organised at home? I’m a bit obsessive about being organised at the best of times, but all this extra time at home has me wanting to prettify, sort, and get rid of all the clutter for a happier home. First came the kitchen cupboards, then the junk drawer, then the wardrobe. If your makeup bag has seen better days, or it’s been a while since you properly took inventory and sorted through all your products, then it’s time to tackle your beauty products next. Consider a beauty this your next weekend project!

To Get Started

Before you begin…

Gather your products from wherever they are

If you want to do this job properly, collate your beauty products from wherever they may be lurking: in your bathroom, in your makeup bag, in your bedside drawer, in your storage boxes + baskets, and in all your handbags.

Empty everything out

Much like the process when I do a wardrobe clear-out, I like to work in sections. I’ll do something easy like nail polish first, then all my makeup, then skincare, then hair + body, and everything else. Take out every single product in that category, and sort through each one by one.

Get a few cleaning supplies

I like to keep the following on hand to clean everything as I go: a slightly damp cloth (to wipe out any makeup cases, shelves, drawers and hard surfaces), a box of tissues or some cotton pads (to wipe the surface of any lipsticks or powders), some rubbing alcohol or face cleansing wipes (to clean the outside of any products and around the lids of foundation bottles, etc.), and a eye pencil sharpener (to clean any lip or eye liners). You’ll also want a bin, a bag for recycling, and another bag for things to donate.

To Clear Out

Let’s dive in…

Weed out anything that’s obviously expired

Every single beauty product has a shelf life; some just last a lot longer than others. If something has noticeably changed in texture, consistency, or smell, or feels different when you apply it, it’s gone off and you need to let it go. If you can’t even remember how long you’ve had something, that’s probably another sign it’s too old.

Know when it’s time to toss something

I hate waste, so I know this is the hardest part. But honestly, it’s better to discard something that’s past its prime than to keep putting it on your face and risking contamination, breakouts or irritation. For all the products that pass the above test and still seem to be ok, this is the general rule of thumb:

• Mascara + liquid eye liner: 3-6 months. I replace mine on the first day of every quarter, or sooner if I notice it is starting to become dry and flaky. You really shouldn’t share anything that touches your face, but never, ever share eye products.
• Powder makeup: 2-3 years if regularly cleaned. Always opt for pressed powder rather than loose (so it’s only ever the top layer – which can be cleaned with a dry tissue – which is exposed to bacteria).
• Cream + liquid makeup: 6-12 months if in a jar, 1 year if in a tube or bottle (so the product isn’t as exposed).
• Lipstick, balm + gloss: 2-3 years if regularly cleaned.
• Skincare: Opt for tubes over jars where possible (less risk of contamination), but otherwise always wash your hands before dipping your fingers into any product.
• SPF: SPF has a very strict 12 month expiry, so it must be used within a year of opening it for it to be effective; which shouldn’t be a problem if you’re properly applying as much as you should. If I have any doubt as to whether I’m within that timeframe or shortly outside it, I’ll use it up on a day when I know I’m not actually going to be in the direct sun, and will only put it on my legs (which are less prone to burning) rather than my face, arms or chest.
• Hair + body care: Anything detergent-based (body wash, shampoo, bubble bath) is likely so full of preservatives (whether ‘clean’ or otherwise) that they should be fine for a couple of years. Anything emollient (hand cream, body lotion or oil, conditioner, hair products) should be used within a year if it’s in a pot you’re dipping your fingers into, or two years if it’s in a bottle.
• Perfume: If stored away from direct sunlight + heat, your perfume should last a couple of years. I keep my current lineup in the hallway rather than the bathroom, and any out-of-season scents in a container at the back of the top shelf of my fridge to prolong their life even further. With all those random scents + samples you don’t actually love, or any others where the smell has changed before it’s finished, repurpose them as air freshener in the bathroom instead (so it’s not completely wasted). Which is why we now have £150 Chanel-scented toilet spray.
• Nail polish: Nail polish generally lasts a few years. Always clean any excess product off the rim of the bottle when you’re done, and store in a dark drawer or box to keep light out. Toss once it’s too thick to apply in a smooth thin layer.
• Makeup brushes + tools: If properly cared for, your brushes should easily last 10 years. Wash sponges every day, brushes used for foundation or creamy products once a week, and brushes used for powder products at least every month. Don’t forget to wash your hair brush (just use it to comb through your shampoo in the shower, then rinse and leave to dry) once a week too.

Swatch all your makeup

This is the beauty equivalent of ‘trying everything on before you put it back in the wardrobe’. Unless you’ve used (and enjoyed) something in the last month, swatch it to make sure the colour is still right for you, you still like it, and it hasn’t dried out.

Get rid of anything you don’t love

Your beauty routine should be a fun act of pampering and self care, not something which feels like a chore. If you never wear that coral lipstick, don’t really like the smell of the perfume someone gave you, or just can’t be bothered to use something, just let it go.

While you’re there…

When was the last time you replaced your loofah, razor, toothbrush, or nail files? I swap my loofah and razor blades on the first day of every month (otherwise replace them every two months, maximum), replace my nail file and toothbrush head on the first day of every quarter (replace them every four months, maximum), and replace my foot pumice and wash cloths yearly. Or maybe your makeup bag has seen better days, and you could do with a new one (I have + love this one)?

With The Things You’re Keeping

How to get the most from your products…

Give everything a clean

When you empty out a section, wipe down that drawer / shelf / makeup bag / surface with a damp cloth until it sparkles. And don’t back a single product without giving each one a clean also:

• Wipe the surface of any powders (blush, bronzer, eye shadow, pressed powders) with a clean, dry tissue to remove any oils and bacteria which may be lingering on the surface.
• Wind up your lipsticks a little and wipe the flat surface and top edges with a tissue or makeup wipe.
• Sharpen any lip liners, eye pencils, or eye shadow sticks with your sharpener to get rid of anything lingering on the surface (and make a habit of doing so after every couple of uses).
• Give the inner nozzles, lids and brushes of any liquids (foundation, concealers, highlighters, mascara, liquid liner, lip gloss) a good clean with a makeup wipe to get rid of any messy residue.
• Clean the outside of every product with a damp cloth or makeup wipe to keep them as clean and hygienic as possible.
• Wash all your makeup brushes with a gentle cleanser (I like this one), and leave to dry on a clean face cloth.

Organise everything

When you put everything back, do so in a way that makes most sense for how you actually use those things. I like to keep only the products I use on a daily basis in my shower or on my bathroom shelf where they’re most accessible, and everything else is sorted and stored in drawers. I also keep a little dish of my on-the-go essentials (my favourite lipstick, a mini mascara, concealer pen, mini perfume samples) on my hallway console so they’re ready to throw in my handbag on my way out the door, and a box of travel-sized mini products in a box which I always raid when packing for a trip.

Store your products properly

If you store your products away from heat and light, they will last you longer. I store my out-of-season perfumes in a plastic tub at the back of my fridge to keep them fresh when not in use. If you don’t like the idea of keeping your Jo Malone next to your jam, keep your spare bottles at the back of your underwear drawer when not in use. For everything else, try to store your more infrequently-used products (hair + face masks, fake tan, seasonal makeup or skincare, etc.) in a drawer or storage box somewhere to avoid humidity and fluctuations in temperature and prolong their shelf life.

Use up your current products before you start something new

I know this sounds like common sense, but instead of having 8 versions of virtually the same product on the go at any one time, try to use up what you already have open before starting a new version. That way you’re more likely to get through the product completely before it expires and has to be discarded.

Vow to buy less but better

From now on, try to prioritise quality over quantity. Maybe it’s time to treat yourself to some luxurious upgrades; buy yourself to a gorgeous body wash which doesn’t leave your skin itchy like the drugstore versions, pare down your collection of perfumes or lipsticks to just a few favourites that make you feel fabulous rather than umpteen inferior versions, or replace all your gloopy old nail polishes with two gorgeous classic shades. Or perhaps you’re conscious about making more sustainable choices going forward; swap your harsh makeup wipes and disposable cotton pads for a set of plush cotton wash cloths (I use these) and reusable cotton pads (I recently upgraded to a set of these and love them) and look to products with cleaner ingredients that are kind to your skin and kinder to the environment too.

Do you have any tips for keeping your beauty supplies organised + in good shape? I’d love to hear them below if so!

Love, Briony xx