This post details a comprehensive makeup declutter, focusing on mascaras, eyeliners, brow products, and lip liners. The author reviews each product category, honestly assessing their performance and longevity, leading to a ruthless purge of expired, unused, or unsatisfactory items. From beloved favorites to disappointing disappointments, each product receives individual attention, revealing the author's makeup preferences and practical approach to beauty. The process involves discarding items based on factors like formula changes, dryness, and infrequent use, highlighting the importance of regularly reviewing and refreshing one's makeup collection.The declutter reveals a surprisingly large number of discarded items, ultimately resulting in a significantly smaller, more curated collection. This streamlined approach emphasizes functionality and quality over quantity, showcasing a commitment to using only the best and most loved products. The author shares which products made the cut, noting favorites across different brands and highlighting the benefits of a more organized and efficient makeup routine. The experience serves as a valuable guide for anyone looking to streamline their own makeup collection and minimize waste.
Read more: Covergirl Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner: 5 Best Looks
Mascara Must-Haves and Misses
My mascara collection is surprisingly small. I tend to use them up and toss them, rather than hoarding. Currently, I'm using Maybelline Total Temptation mascara; it's decent, but not a repurchase for me. The Benefit Roller Lash is a longtime favorite, but mine is old and needs replacing.
I also have an unopened Tarte Tartus Lash Paint mascara sample. The spiky brush is interesting, but samples sometimes differ from the full size. It's lengthening but I'll likely toss it due to its age.
Finally, I have two unopened Essence Lash Princess mascaras (sculpted volume and false lash effect), gifts from a friend. These are exciting to try, and I'll keep them for the future.
Brow Product Purge
My brow product collection needs a serious overhaul. The Covergirl Brow & Liner Powder is a unique powder-on-a-stick format, but it's not for me. I'll be getting rid of it despite some viewers liking it in my past video.
I'm keeping the Catrice Cosmetics Eyebrow Filler and the Essence Make Me Brow gel. I've repurchased the Essence one multiple times; it's a volumizing favorite. The elf brow pencil and Wet n Wild Ultimate Brow Pencil are also in the mix. The Wet n Wild one is currently in use but I dislike it and will discard it.
Finally, my old Wet n Wild Ultimate Brow Kit is surprisingly sticking around. Despite its age and gunkiness, the powder is still usable and worth keeping as my only brow powder option.
Lip Liner Lineup
I'm not a huge lip liner person, but I do have a few favorites. The Rimmel Exaggerate Full Color Lip Liner in 'Call Me Crazy' is a keeper; its creamy formula works well under my bright orange lipsticks.
I'll also keep my NYX and Essence red lip liners for everyday use. The Rimmel East End Snob is a good everyday pink shade that's sticking around.
The Jordana Easy Liner in Tawny and the other pink liners are getting tossed; they're too dry or not shades I use anymore. I tend to keep my sharpenable liners for a long time, but these didn't make the cut.
Eyeliner Evaluation
My eyeliner collection is extensive! I'm tackling the non-pencil ones first. The Physicians Formula Matte Lacquer Gel Cream Eyeliner is a miss; it's dried out and difficult to use.
The Physicians Formula 3-in-1 Eye Booster and Jessie's Girl eyeliner are very similar to the Lorac liner, but I'm keeping the Physicians Formula one and tossing the Jessie's Girl since it's drying out.
The NYX Vivid Brights Gunmetal and Urban Decay Heavy Metal liners are up next. The NYX silver is getting passed on, while the Urban Decay Midnight Cowboy glitter liner remains.
Pencil Eyeliner Picks and Pans
The pencil eyeliner section is overwhelming. I'm tossing several due to age and dryness, including a few from Lorac and Urban Decay. Expiration dates are a concern; I often ignore them.
My favorite eyeliners are the Mally Beauty ones. The plum sapphire and dusky brown are keepers, while the dusky plum shade is being tossed due to infrequent use.
The NYX Wonder Pencil is useful for brightening the waterline. Other liners (Marc Jacobs, L'Oreal, etc.) are getting tossed. The Bobbi Brown and Jordana black liners, and the BareMinerals cream liner are all keepers.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
After decluttering, I'm left with 22 makeup items and have gotten rid of 28. I'm particularly happy with the reduction in my eyeliner collection. Many were unused or dried out, making this purge necessary.
The Mally Beauty eyeliners are standouts, showcasing creamy textures and rich colors. The Essence Make Me Brow gel is also a reliable brow product I’ve repurchased several times. While some products were tossed due to age or formula issues, the remaining selection is now more curated and practical.
Overall, this declutter improved my makeup routine’s efficiency, allowing for easier access to my favorite, high-quality products. This declutter exercise helped me streamline my makeup collection, making it more user-friendly and reducing waste.