The 2018 Minimalism Makeup Declutter (+current Minimalist Makeup Collection)

Gosh, it seems like ages since I first posted about my Minimalist Makeup Collection! And since that first post over a year ago, I’ve had a couple of small declutters, but it’s definitely time for a new one (and with this declutter has come new storage!) When I did my first declutter, I stored all my makeup inside a drawer in old boxes – and whilst they definitely served their purpose, they have gotten suitably ratty (no thanks to my hacking of them), and are in much need of an update! I'm still using boxes, but they fit perfectly and are free. So it's a win-win. (But don't forget to scroll down to see my before picture!)

But a little disclaimer before I go into things. When I started the minimalism series on my blog, I went off The Minimalist’s definition of minimalism which is only keeping items in your life that are of value to you. This could mean keeping a stack of books, or a collection of aeroplanes, but for me, it’s rooted in my makeup stash. And this adds value to my life (especially as I work in the beauty industry). So now that we’ve got this out of the way, let’s move forward in my decluttering.

The past year has been really exciting in terms of brand collaborations and partnerships, so I’ve definitely accumulated a few things! And with the change in season, all the products that I was sure I’d use in Winter, can now be chucked, as they haven’t been used…

Bases.

I really dislike the feeling of foundation sat on my face, so I avoid it at all cost, so it’s surprising why I avoid refining my foundation stash down further…But I’m going to get rid of my BareMinerals Complexion Rescue* simply because it’s almost empty and I haven’t touched it in over 9 months – so it’s definitely out of date. I’m also going to get rid of the Urban Decay Naked Skin One and Done Foundation as despite my love for the formula, it oxidises on my skin so always looks a bit orange. Plus, I’ve owned it for over 2 years now so it’s definitely time to say goodbye.

I’m going to keep my Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick* as it’s my only high coverage foundation that I own – and the fact that it doesn’t have SPF means it’s perfect for any events or photo sessions! I have worn this a couple of times, and because I apply it with a brush, I’m not too worried about the hygiene of the cushion bit. (Sidenote: I prefer this to the traditional Double Wear as it gives a lovely glow!)

But because I’m keeping this, I’m going to get rid of my sample of the Estee Lauder Double Wear that I only kept because I thought I might wear it during the winter – but I didn’t. So it’s time to throw it out.

For light bases, I’m going to keep my Glossier Skin Tint as this has been the only skin base I’ve worn outside of moisturiser and I love it! I’ve also recently picked up the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Unifant which is a tinted version of my favourite Effaclar Duo. Unfortunately the colour range is pretty shameful, but I love this as a base as it’s great for evening out the skin tone whilst adding the benefits of the Effaclar Duo.

The only concealer I have is the Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth Infusing Brightening Serum*, which is perfect as it has two types of concealer – one for brightening and the other for hiding any imperfections. I’m obviously going to keep it as it’s the only one I have (and one I often use!).

For under base skincare, I’ve had a few new bits from Eborian that I’m currently trialling. I’ve been really enjoying their Pink Perfect Crème* which smoothes out the skin and colour corrects with the pink tint. I’ve also liked their Glow Crème*, which is an illuminating and smoothing skin product that I love! It’s like a toned down Strobe Cream. I’m also trying a few more of their skin bits, but not sure how I feel just yet – but these two are definitely staying!

Primers + Face Powders.

Nothing much has changed with my primers! I’m definitely going to be keeping my Hylamide Photography Foundation*, which I only use when I’m having my picture taken, but is brilliant! I’m also going to hang on to my Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiance, which is the only gold toned glowy primer that I own. But if I don’t use it this summer, it’s going to have to go as I’ve had it a while.

Today is a sad day, as I’m going to be throwing out my Laura Mercier Translucent Powder. As I don’t wear heavy makeup, I never need to ‘bake’ my undereyes, so this has been collecting dust as I find that I reach for my beloved Bourjois Healthy Mix Powder if I ever need any sort of powder. I genuinely can’t tell you the last time I used my Laura Mercier powder so it’s definitely time to go.

Highlighters.

I have a highlighter problem – I really do. But I need to purge. I’m definitely going to be getting rid of the Glossier Face Highlighter in Topaz. I just find this so difficult to apply and it doesn’t blend well with or without makeup. It just makes my life difficult. I love the concept behind it but it’s a no from me! The highlighters I’ll definitely be keeping are the Laura Mercier Highlighting Powder in Indiscretion, which is such a versatile highlight as it can work as a glowy bronzer if you build it up. I’m also going to be clinging on to the Hourglass Ambient Strobe in Brilliant, partially because it has such nice packaging, but also because it’s my go to if I want to look seriously glowy.

Bronzers + Blush.

For someone who doesn’t wear much makeup, I don’t know how I’ve accumulated so many of these… I’m going to hang onto my Barry M Chisel Cheeks Contour Kit, which is an absolute dupe for the Anastasia Contour Kit and is my go to for a matte bronzer. The kit is really light and includes a yellow powder and two bronzers (warm & cool toned) – it’s so convenient to have and something I reach for a lot in the summer! I only own two blushes – the Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso and the Glossier Cloud Paint in Beam and I don’t think I can part with either – they’re really great and I use them for different looks, so I’ll hang on to them. Sorry.

Setting Sprays.

I have two new setting sprays – a travel sized Urban Decay All Nighter and the NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray. Because the Urban Decay one is travel sized, I’m going to keep hold of it and leave that in my travel bag.

Eye Products.

This is the part of my makeup collection that has seriously grown. I did a super exciting collaboration with Estee Lauder x Victoria Beckham and I couldn’t bear to part with some of the shades. But they need to go. I have a duo of an orange + blue shade which needs to go, as does an OTT glittery eye gel (the eye foil) which creases rather badly. But I will be getting rid of the Sapphir Orange Vif Eye Duo*, not because of the quality, but just because I don’t see myself using the shades anytime soon. This is a sad decision, but alas it must be done.

However, I am going to be keeping the Eye Ink in Black Myrrh*. This is the perfect, highly pigmented black glittery eyeshadow that is an essential for a smoky eye. It’s a really buttery shadow that I love.

I’m also going to be keeping my MAC 9 Eyeshadow Palette. I got given this for a Christmas present and it’s the perfect size for travelling and has all the colours I tend to gravitate towards. It’s a yes from me.

Lip Products.

I seem to have accumulated so many lip products this year that it’s almost unbelievable – but fortunately, I’ve been quite on it with giving them away as I’ve gone on. So the only new additions from my last declutter is the Lipstick Queen Frog Prince* lipstick, which is a green lipstick that turns into a natural rosy hue upon application, and the Lipstick Queen Nothing but the Nudes Lipstick*, which is the perfected semi-matte brown toned nude. Nothing else has changed here! I am going to be getting rid of the No Thin Lips Lip Plumper* as despite liking the results, it’s a gloss, which ends up stuck in my hair!

Mascara + Brows.

The only addition to my brow product collection is the Brow Bar Clear Brow Gel* which I use a lot! It’s the perfect clear brow gel that doesn’t make my brows feel crunchy after application. I’ve been trying out the No Bare Brows Eyebrow Pencil* which sounds fab as one end is a wax pencil and the other a pigmented brow shade, but the pencil is slightly too creamy and makes my brows look blocky. I’m also not a fan of the wax pencil as it doesn’t seem to have much hold.

A new mascara addition is the NYX Worth the Hype mascara, which lives in my gym bag! I love this – it lengthens and holds a curl, but doesn’t quite have as much volume as my KIKO Into the Dark mascara, hence why it lives in my gym bag.

One sad parting will have to be the Benefit Brow Primer* which is not because I don’t like it, but because I’ve owned it over 3 years which almost certainly makes it out of date!

And exhale…. We’re done. A very detailed breakdown of my makeup declutter and remaining minimalist makeup stash. I hope this satisfies all of you that love a makeup declutter as much as I do!

Do you apply minimalism to any areas of your life? What do you think of my collection, is it time to go through your makeup stash?

After the declutter:

Before the declutter:

Everything I got rid of: