When it comes to our beauty collections, it’s easy to get carried away. We’re constantly bombarded with newness and that all-too-familiar itch of wanting the next big thing. Which is why, after working in the industry for over a decade, I have amassed an embarrassingly large amount of products.
But along with the cravings we get for the shiny and new, it’s also very common to want to declutter, rid ourselves of our hoard of best foundations and best face moisturisers, to create a more streamlined collection. After a recent house move, I found myself in this very situation. Packing away almost all of my beauty stash gave me the perfect excuse for an extreme, Marie Kondo-level declutter. My love of organisation took over, and after days of swatching, sniffing and swiping, I’d successfully cleared out over 10 years worth of products.
If you’re thinking about doing the same, I've shared the six essentials that made the cut, along with my tip for figuring out whether formulas are still effective or if they may have expired.
How to downsize your makeup bag to just the essentials
If your beauty bag is currently bursting at the seams but you're at a loss for where to start the decluttering process, my top tip is checking whether any have expired. Of course, it's always hard to say goodbye, but it's harder to justify keeping a product that's passed its prime.
Signs your product might have expired
First things first, most beauty products have an expiration icon on the bottom of their packaging, such as ‘12M’ or ‘6M’, this is a hugely helpful signpost for how many months the formula inside is typically good for. But it’s well worth writing the date of purchase next to this icon, to help you to keep track of how long you’ve had the item for.
When it comes to skincare, particularly with active ingredients such as exfoliating acids and retinoids, it’s never worth taking the risk and using an expired formula. Not only can the product lose efficacy, but there’s also the chance that it could irritate your skin. If unsure, look out for changes to the texture, colour or smell of a product, these are useful signs as to whether it may have expired.
The 6 products I can't live without
For me, it wasn’t just about having a clear out. Whilst I’ve always been the woman with 15 different lip colours in my handbag, now isn't the time to be lugging around all that unnecessary weight. I wanted a low-maintenance, handful of items that I loved – and that worked well for all occasions, from a work meeting to Sunday brunch with my family. So, I downsized my makeup bag to just six products that tick every box, from complexion to brows and lips to lashes, these versatile essentials have all bases covered…
RRP: £33
As the name would suggest, this wondrous little perfecting stick is a truly multi-purpose complexion perfector. Touted as one of the best cream foundations, the balmy formula glides on easily and gives a lightweight satin finish to the skin, it can be layered up into a full coverage concealer, or applied lightly and diffused into a sheer wash of coverage across the face. It’s so handy for any aspiring makeup minimalists, as it’ll replace your concealer, foundation and tinted moisturiser.
RRP: £30
An excellent mascara is a staple in any makeup bag, but when it comes to a downsized routine, it’s never been more important to find a formula you adore – that’s also flexible to different looks. Throughout my many years working as a beauty editor, Lancôme’s iconic Hypnôse mascara remains one of the very best I’ve tried. Smudge-proof, clump-free volume that can be built up into a bold flutter with multiple coats, or worn lightly for natural-looking lash definition.
RRP: £29.50
Bobbi Brown’s Longwear Cream Shadow Sticks can do no wrong, not only are they easy to apply and blend, the formula has phenomenal, crease-free, staying power. When downsizing my makeup bag I wanted an everyday eyeshadow that I loved, and the new Hazelnut shade ticked every box. The warm, matte, mocha-brown hue, is an uber-flattering versatile shade that can be worn as an eyeshadow or liner – either winged out or smudged around the lashline for a smokey finish.
RRP: £6
Yes, you could sculpt and define your brows with pomade and pencil and then layer on a setting gel to hold your flawless arches in place all day, or you could just swipe a little of the e.l.f. Wow Brow Gel through your brows and be done. The tinted formula adds thickness, fills sparse patches, tints hair and sets them perfectly in place. So simple, but so effective.
RRP: £35
Bronzer is a non-negotiable product in my makeup bag (downsized or not), there’s nothing quite like it for waking up the skin and adding a warm glow, but selecting a bronzer that can be tailored to your needs is key. The formula of Haus Labs’ offering is seriously impressive, it’s so lightweight yet builds up on the skin flawlessly (with zero patchiness) so you can opt for a light-as-can-be bronze or a stronger sunkissed glow.
RRP: £36
One of my all-time favourite beauty brands for a reason, Ilia’s Multi-Stick in the shade All Of Me is a swipe-on dewy balm that gives a sheer wash of coral-pink. It’s the perfect natural flush you need to brighten lips and cheeks instantly, ideal for all occasions. If you prefer a deeper tint, opt for the berry hue, A Fine Romance, or for a rosier glow, try the poppy-red shade, Dear Ruby.
