It started with having my third baby in 2021, my sweet baby girl Jadelyz. I remember sitting in my room while she napped and just wondering what tornado had passed through there.
I decided to declutter the piles and piles of beauty products I had just sitting there collecting dust. Some used and some still in the sealed packaging. Looking through all the used and opened products I thought — why is this still here? One lipstick turned into a mascara with a dried-out wand, then a highlighter I bought many years prior, then a stash of half-used serums that I was trying out to share reviews on. Before I knew it, I had a pile on my bedroom floor that was to be tossed, one pile to keep and another to donate or gift forward.
That day, I decluttered my entire beauty collection. And honestly? It changed more than I expected. So let’s talk about…
Why Our Beauty Shelves Get So Overwhelming
Let’s be real — the beauty industry is designed to make us buy more. New launches, limited editions, influencer recommendations, “buy two get one free” deals. I have fallen for them all. And being a licensed esthetician, I found it part of my job to be up to date on all of these products. It adds up fast. And because beauty products feel personal, even sentimental sometimes, it’s hard to let them go, trust me, I know!
I would sometimes keep the foundations that didn’t quite match because I enjoyed seeing a big collection of products and, in my mind, I thought I could use it in the future. And the endless collection of eyeshadow palettes (Youtube beauty influencer era anyone?). We keep seventeen lip liners because what if we need that exact shade someday?
Speaking of influencers, who else fell into the beauty world of Youtube? The endless makeup collection videos, the hauls, the tutorials and wanting to recreate the looks. What a time it was!
The result of all that? Shelves that feel chaotic and very much over-consumerism/hoarding vibes. Oh, and if you happen to have an extra room….the fully stocked and prepped beauty room.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
What Happened When I Finally Let Go
My Morning Routine Became So Much Calmer
There’s something peaceful about waking up in a room with minimal storage units. Something refreshing about knowing that all the extra space is there. When you open your cabinet and see only things you actually use and love, something shifts. There’s no decision fatigue. No digging through a drawer to find your eyeliner. No guilt about the products you should be using. Just your things, clearly laid out, ready for you. My mornings went from frantic to almost… peaceful. That alone was worth it.
I Got to Know What I Actually Love
Decluttering forced me to be honest. I had to ask myself: Do I actually like this, or did I just like the idea of it? Turns out, I had a whole category of “aspirational products” — things I bought for a version of myself that does a full glam routine every day. Sweet idea. Not my reality. Surprisingly enough, for someone who didn’t wear a ton of makeup, I sure did have a huge collection. Letting those go made room for the products I reach for every single day without thinking, and those are the ones that truly deserve a spot on my shelf.
I Saved Money Going Forward
Once you see just how much product you’ve accumulated, you think twice before buying more. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good shopping trip to Ulta, Sephora or any beauty store for that matter. However, I became a much more intentional shopper. Instead of grabbing something because it looked pretty or was on sale, I started asking: Do I need this? Does it replace something I already have? Will I actually use it? Heavy on the “will I actually use it?”
I Felt Lighter — In Ways I Didn’t Expect
This is the part that surprised me most. Clearing physical clutter has a way of clearing mental clutter too. There’s a reason so many people describe decluttering as emotional — our belongings carry weight. Some of those products were tied to old routines, old relationships, old versions of myself. Releasing them felt like quietly closing a few chapters I didn’t realize I was still holding open.
So, let’s talk about how YOU can also declutter your beauty shelf.
How to Declutter Your Beauty Shelf (Without the Overwhelm)
You don’t have to do it all in one afternoon. Start small, go at your own pace, and be kind to yourself in the process. Remember you are doing this for you, no one else.
Step 1: Pull Everything Out
Yes, everything. You can’t assess what you have if it’s all hidden in drawers and tucked behind other things. Lay it all out on a clean surface and let yourself see the full picture. If it makes it easier, create piles for each category in beauty. Not only will you be able to see more clearly what you have but you will also get a glimpse of what you may have been overspending on.
Step 2: Check Expiration Dates
Most beauty products have a small symbol on the packaging — a little open jar with a number inside (like 12M or 24M). That tells you how many months the product is good for after opening. If it’s past that window, it’s time to say goodbye. Expired products can irritate skin, harbor bacteria, and simply don’t perform the way they should. When in doubt, throw it out! That is a rule I like to go by because products tend to carry bacteria throughout time and it’s best to avoid any reactions.
Step 3: Be Honest About What You Actually Use
If you haven’t touched something in six months, ask yourself why. If the honest answer is “I don’t really like it,” let it go. If it’s “I forgot I had it,” give it a two-week trial. If you still don’t reach for it after that — you have your answer.
Step 4: Create a “Love It” Shelf
After you’ve decluttered everything, What remains should be products you genuinely love, use regularly, and that make you feel good. Arrange them intentionally, for example, your daily essentials should be front and center on top of your “get ready” table, everything else in a designated drawer. Make your space feel like a little sanctuary, not a storage unit.
Step 5: Rehome or Donate What You Can
Unopened or gently used products (check your local guidelines) can sometimes be donated to shelters or shared with friends. It feels much better than just tossing everything, and someone else gets to enjoy something you weren’t using anyway. My favorite thing was gifting the products that were in their packaging or having my sisters and friends come over to just take what they need.
A Few Things Worth Keeping in Mind
Quality over quantity, always. Five products you truly love will serve you better than fifty you feel lukewarm about.
Your routine doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive to be effective. Some of the most glowing skin comes from the simplest routines and inexpensive products, done consistently.
A curated shelf is an act of self-respect. Choosing to organize your space and the products that make you feel great, even in small, is a form of self-care and respect.
Your Turn
You don’t need a perfectly aesthetic shelfie at the end of this. You don’t need to own only five products or subscribe to any particular philosophy. You just need a space that feels like you — intentional, loved, and a little lighter than before.
Start with one drawer. One category. One lipstick you haven’t touched in three years.
You might be surprised what opens up when you let a little go. 🌿
Have you ever done a beauty declutter? I’d love to hear what you discovered — drop your experience in the comments below! 💛
Disclaimer: All reviews and opinions are my own and always will be. Some links are affiliate links so I do earn commission from products purchased via links. Photos are royalty free photos from amazing photographers around the world.