How to ‘Marie Kondo’ your beauty kit

Having a big beauty collection is great, but sometimes the half-finished products you’ll never use again start to take up more space than the products you know and love. So why not save yourself from rifling through an excessive collection every day by ditching the duds?

Spring cleaning isn’t just reserved for the house, so it could be time to take a good, hard look at your beauty stash and see what you can get rid of.  Marie Kondo’s best-known tip comes in handy here: if it doesn’t spark joy, scrap it. She definitely said it far more eloquently than that, though. 

If you aren’t ready to start binning things, you can at least move the winter-friendly products into storage to make more room for warm-weather alternatives. Here’s some handy hints to get you started...

RELATED: Here’s what to carry in your gym bag of you’re always on the go

RELATED: The ultimate beauty travel essentials checklist

CUT:

Face oils: The end of winter has (hopefully) taken with it that dreaded winter dryness. The need to lather yourself in oils and thick moisturisers may do more harm than good in the warmer months when your skin isn’t in need of such a big hydration boost. 

KEEP:

Serums: Even though our skin usually isn’t as dry in spring and summer, that doesn’t mean we can scrap hydrating products altogether. A decent hyaluronic acid or vitamin C serum are still the key to a dewy, clear complexion all summer long.  

bh loves: Alpha-H Hyaluronic 8, Ella Baché Hydra Hyaluronic Cellular Serum, Elizabeth Arden Vitamin C Ceramide Capsules Radiance Renewal Serum, Ultraderm Absolute C Serum

CUT:

Matte lipsticks: Matte lipsticks fit the moody winter aesthetic far more than they do bright and beautiful spring. Sweat is not a friend of matte lipsticks and could lead to extra flaking, so it may be a good idea to embrace a lower-maintenance lippy.

KEEP:

Tinted SPF lip balms: Speaking of low maintenance lips, tinted balms are dynamite for warmer weather. Our poor lips often get forgotten in our sunscreen routine, so up the protection with an SPF infused formula. A sheer tint will also embrace the ‘your lips but better look’ perfect for low-key beach days. 

bh loves: Bobbi Brown Lip Balm SPF 15, jane iredale LipDrink Lip Balm SPF 15, Lanolips Tinted Balm SPF 30, L’OCCITANE Tinted Lip Balm

CUT:

Powder blush: Warm weather is all about embracing the pared-back look and letting your natural beauty shine through. Powder blushes can look a little bit too stark on an otherwise glowing face, so this could be one to pack away for cooler climates. 

KEEP: 

A cream blush/ highlighter duo: A cream blush is the superhero product that brings dull, sallow skin back to life. Combining it with some highlight gives your look a spring refresh that gets you looking flushed and fabulous. 

bh loves: Yves Saint Laurent Crème De Blush, Lancôme Cushion Blush Subtil, Clinique Cheek Pop 

CUT:

Finishing powder: Anyone who’s ever spent thirty minutes perfecting their glowing base only to see it disappear under their finishing powder can rejoice; this product can be scrapped. Unless you have super oily skin, if you use a long-lasting foundation and a good quality primer your base should have enough staying power without the powder. 

KEEP: 

Setting spray: The perfect antidote to glow-reducing powders. A setting spray will assist the longevity of your makeup, without dulling down your glow. Ones that are formulated specifically for radiance will even add some highlight to your face - be light-handed though, you can have too much of a good thing. 

bh loves: Lancôme Fix It Forget It Makeup Setting Spray, Clarins Fix' Make-Up Mist, DB Cosmetics Mist Me Setting Spray

CUT:

Non-waterproof mascara: Non-waterproof mascaras are the sworn enemy of warm weather. Even if you’re not planning on swimming, working up even the slightest sweat can give you panda eyes. Best to keep away from these on hot days.  

KEEP:

Tubular mascara: With a different formula to the ones you know and love, tubular mascaras are designed to wrap around each lash and create a ‘tube’. Once they’re dry, you remove them by using warm water to pull them off your lashes. They have the staying power of waterproof mascaras, while still being easy to remove - making them swim and sweat safe.  

bh loves: MCoBeauty XtendLash, CLINIQUE Lash Power Mascara, Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara (mecca.com.au, $43). 

CUT: 

Powerful acids: Exfoliating acids and toners are a dream in winter when your skin is dull and you need some help to bring a fresh layer of skin to the surface. The thing is though, you need extra SPF protection when you use skin care like this, because they make your skin more sensitive to the sun. While they do still work a treat in warm weather, just be extra mindful when you’re outside.  

KEEP:

Face mists: During the warmer months, a cooling face mist can be a lifesaver. Keep one on your desk, in your purse, in your bathroom, on your bedside table (or even in the fridge) for an instant skin refresh throughout the day. It will help to keep your skin looking dewy and feeling hydrated, as well as cooling you down.

bh loves: Skin Physics OXYGEN-C Hydrating Vitamin C Toner, Garnier Skin Active Hydra Bomb Protect Face Mist, The Body Shop Rose Dewy Glow Face Mist

Did you do anything to spring clean your beauty wardrobe?

Main image credit: @dirtyboygetsclean

*This article has been updated since its original publication date.