A few weeks ago, I spent ages (okay, a few hours) rounding up all of my makeup and sorting through it.  I have a problem hoarding all the makeup seeing and storing what I have.  I’ve been trying to do #365DaysofEmpties to lighten up my collection, but it’s still raging out of control, so I had to find a better way to sort and store things.

To get rid of what I had:

It pained me so much, but I asked myself these five questions.  If it was old, I didn’t like it, and/or just hanging out for the sole purpose of hanging out, I did my best to get rid of it.

How old is it?

If you’re unsure if something is still good, check out this post to know when something is telling you, Hey, I expired.  Or just do a search on Pinterest for “makeup expiration;” all of the recommendations are mostly the same.

Do I have this already in a similar shade?

If so, the older one or the one I like least has to go!  If it’s a backup for a product I love and use, though, it’s definitely staying.

Could I give it to someone else?

If it’s a new product (or mostly new and has been cleaned properly) and I can give it to someone who will use it, I will!  Anyone want to do a blog makeup swap?

Is it hanging around because I don’t use it and I feel bad throwing something away?

I’m so guilty of this.  I can’t throw away something if it’s still usable, even if I don’t use it.

Is it half-finished and I just have to make a point to use the rest of it up?

Guilty of this, too.  I can’t throw something away if it’s usable AND I still have product left to use.

To store what I have left:

What will allow me to use this the most?

I’m so guilty of “Out of sight, out of mind.”  If I don’t see it, I’ll forget about it.  So I pulled out a few of my favorite lip sticks/glosses and have them in their own holder outside of the sorted boxes of lip balm, stick, stain, and gloss.  I just pick the color I want for the day and go without having to paw through endless boxes (or yesterday’s work bag).  Then I’ll swap/rotate out weekly to start playing favorite with others and as the seasons change.

Can I group/store this with similar products?

I have a Quirky Zen Cosmetics from Jonathan that I love and was going to use for eyeliner, but I know liquid eyeliner should be stored on its side and I have pots of gel liner that wouldn’t fit.  It doesn’t make sense to have eyeliner stored in different areas, so I use an empty Birchbox box to corral everything and the brushes stay in the Makeup Zen nice and neat.

Use what will work for you

Maybe you have an extensive collection and need more drawers/containers that I need.  Maybe you only need a three-drawer container with one drawer for eyes, another for lips, and a final for face (at one time I could fit everything into a small storage tower like that.  Oh the days).

Use what works for you.  If a large organization project makes you shake, don’t do it!  If you need clear drawers instead of closed boxes, go find them!

Try other sections of Target

I found a clear desk/mail sorter in the clearance stationery/desk supplies section.  I was going to try using it for brushes and corralling small items.  That didn’t work, so I figured out something else to do with it.

But my point here is to think in terms of other sections of the store.  If the makeup caddies aren’t what you’re looking for, maybe another organizational section will have something you like.  Or try a totally different store, like Marshall’s or even Staples.  There’s nothing a little spray paint can’t make prettier!

Take unused items out of the collection

Weed out the new items that are waiting to get opened (like mascara, lip gloss, etc) to lighten up what is in the visible places.  It also helps me to use up what is left in an old container before I move on to something new.  I have a bad habit of wanting to use something the second I buy it.  Even toothpaste.  I’m like, “Yes, I want to try that Wintergreen flavor now!”

So by sorting unopened makeup into groups for eyes, lips, and face, I can take out exactly what I need (new blush? mascara?) without having to paw through everything and make a bigger mess.

Also, join me for the #LipStockChallenge – a different lipstick every day until I run out.  Post your photos with the hashtag to play along!

Those are my secrets for taming my makeup collection.  What are yours?