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...
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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.
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108 Member Comments
Just went through all my make up last night and gave it a good clean out, perfect!
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I'm forever trying to move things here
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I hate wasting products so I've been making sure I finish opened ones before starting a new one. It's also less clutter on the shelves and I'm not buying products unless I absolutely need them.
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So hard to let go of things but if it’s out of date or over a certain period I give it the flick and I don’t reach for it anymore I know when to cull.
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Minimalist for me pls. I try to use up products before opening new ones and shuffle them season wise. You can have a drawer full of opened products but remember you only have one face :D
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I try hard not to purchase new beauty items I don't need. But getting rid of stuff can be hard, I prefer to use things up first.
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I agree Candyfairy. I find it hard to get rid of products unless they just don't work for me.
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I just cant let any stuff go until the smell and color of the product changes. Hate to waste stuff!
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I'm stubborn about my makeup. I bought it, I keep it, period. If I never use it, I'll die an old lady with unused makeup from 50 years ago, LOL. Beauty products are too pricey for me to Marie Kondo them!
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I so need to do this and not just to my stash but also my clothes! The problem is I need a cleaning fairy because I just can't get cracking. I know once I finish I'll be happy but seriously the idea of starting..............
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Haha I know the feeling!! I just keep looking at my stuff and think OMG I need to clean this and go through it... 1 year later still looking at it and thinking I need to go through all this LOL and so it continues.
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So I started my clothes today and yes I wish that I never started, lol. It was only my draws but it's a start. Now to get it to the clothing bin........
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Haha I thought about it on the weekend but was too tired so walked past again LOL. MAYYYBBBE this weekend!
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ThisIsMe it's the weekend :)
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LMAO.. . Still didn't! Sat on the couch most of Saturday cos the weather was so horrible and Sunday my daughters had a swimming comp.. another week gone past, gosh I'm bad!
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I think sometimes it's best not to plan because it's a real buzz killer, lol. Maybe just start and do a little bit actually that didn't help me because I still haven't done anymore, lol. I give up.....I just want a fairy!
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HAHA I know where is this fairy?!!
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This is helpful
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I use face oils all year round. I feel that Summer here in Queensland is just as drying as Winter. Skin is exposed to the crazy heat, salt water and pool chlorine. My skin loves its oil at night.
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It took me a while but I re-organised my bathroom cabinet today and feel so good.
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Great tips. I think the powder vs cream blush surprised me the most
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Some really great tips!
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Need to Marie Kondo my whole unit, every room, wardrobe and drawer...
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Those are good tips.
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Did BH reads my mind... I am currently cleaning out my beauty drawers and trying to use up my stash (can't throw them I hate the thought of wasting stuff). Also given out lot's of stuff to my friends, I just want to see space in my drawers . I still have my goodies Recent bazaar event and best in beauty goodies in their tote bags that I need space for.
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