As a beauty blogger, I’m constantly trying out new products. However, over the past 2-3 years, I’ve been attempting to reign in my shopping. Through my comprehensive inventory system, periodic No-Buys, and yearlong Project Pans I challenge myself to be better about my spending. My preference is to finish the products I buy. However, with a collection of my size decluttering is a necessity. This Spring I conducted a MASSIVE Mid-Year Beauty declutter.
It takes a lot of mental toughness to think critically enough to declutter beauty products. Beauty addicts agree that there is personal attachment placed on beauty products that makes them hard to let go.
Although the total number of products decluttered is less than the number of new items that entered my collection, I still view this declutter as a victory. In fact, I decluttered 26% of my collection. Please keep reading to see what I moved out of my collection during my MASSIVE Mid-Year Beauty Declutter!
Decluttered Haircare
Seldom do I toss haircare, so I am not surprised that I only decluttered one product during my massive mid-year beauty declutter. When I do get rid of a hair product, it is usually expired or irritating.
System Professional – Balance Mask | $59.99
I received the System Professional Balance Mask via Influenster. I was excited to give this scalp mask a try. However, this mask irritated my scalp. I had no choice but to toss this. In fact, I didn’t even feel comfortable giving this mask to a family member.
Decluttered Skincare
Skincare is a category that is much easier for me to work through. Surprisingly, I gathered a ton of skincare goodies in my massive mid-year beauty declutter. Skincare goes bad quickly. Once it does, it becomes unsafe and ineffective.
Derma-E Essentials – Nourishing Rose Cleansing Oil Sample | $2.25 (CF) – now discontinued
I forget how I received the Derma-E Essentials Nourishing Rose Cleansing Oil. This oil had been lost in my collection for some time, so I decided to declutter it. Given that this oil lost its cap some time ago, I didn’t feel comfortable using an old, open product on my face.
Drunk Elephant – D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops | $36.00 (CF)
The Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops* is mixing solution meant to add a natural, sun-kissed glow to the skin. However, this is not a standalone liquid bronzer. Instead, these drops are designed to be mixed with a facial serum or moisturizer.
I LOVED how the Sunshine Drops made my skin look radiant and healthy. Unfortunately, after more testing, I realized that my skin didn’t love the formula. My face broke out horrendously after using this product. I was so upset with how this wrecked my skin that I returned it to Sephora.
Drunk Elephant – C-Firma Day Serum | $80.00 (CF)
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum* is a hyped-up serum for a reason. This lightweight, skin-brightening serum gives my skin a radiant, even, healthy complexion without feeling sticky or heavy.
Sadly, the C-Firm Serum is being decluttered because it expired. Although I’ve repurchased this several times, I am not looking to repurchase this serum at this time.
I hate how quickly this expires (six-month shelf life). Also, I hate how the packaging is not recyclable. I feel like this adds an orange tint to my face when too much is applied.
Drunk Elephant – Umbra Tint Physical Daily Sunscreen Mini | $18.00 (CF)
I never knew it was possible to hate a product as much as I despise the Drunk Elephant Umbra Tint Physical Daily Sunscreen.* Although I like the radiant look this gives the skin when first applied, I despise this product.
This sunscreen feel sticky and thick on the skin. Also, it DESTROYS my skin. It caused the worst breakouts. I’ve tried this on-and-off for periods of two weeks. Without fail, this sunscreen made my entire face to breakout.
Product issues aside, I dislike the packaging because the product leaked all over the place. I would not repurchase this nor would I recommend anyone with oily or sensitive skin try this sunscreen.
Edit: I got rid of a lot of Drunk Elephant products during my massive mid-year beauty declutter. I still enjoy the brand, but these particular products impacted my skin in a negative way.
Clean & Clear – Zesty Lemon Scrub |$5.99
I was sad to discover that the Clean & Clear Lemon Zesty Scrub* caused acne. Believe it or not, physical exfoliants can actually cause inflammation and breakouts. Moreover, harsh physical scrubs can cause micro-tears in the skin where bacteria and acne can fester. This leads to breakouts!
Cleansers with sulfates can influence increased breakouts. Although these types of scrubs were helpful when I had horrible, cystic acne, this scrub lead to increased breakouts.
La Roche-Posay – Athelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60 | $19.99
In the US, La Roche-Posay is an interesting skincare brand. The brand is sold in drugstores and big-box retailers, but boasts a prestige price point. The less accessible price point was the reason why I never purchased anything from their brand.
I strongly dislike the Athelios Clear Dry-Touch Sunscreen.* This sunscreen does not play well with other products. Not only does this sunscreen pill up and cake off my face, but it causes my makeup to flake off my face.
As someone with a dedicated skincare regimen who also wears makeup nearly every day, this product was a total fail. I’ve tried applying this over countless moisturizers, primers, and under various foundations and nothing seems to work.
Although I’m decluttering this from my beauty collection, this product will not go to waste. My family can still use this on beach days this summer.
Say Yes To Tomatoes Clear Skin Acne Fighting Micellar Cleansing Water | $9.29 (CF) – now discontinued
Although I purchased the Say Yes To Tomatoes Clear Skin Acne Fighting Micellar Cleansing Water in May, I quickly decided to declutter this product. My skin was breaking out horribly and was in need of some love.
I should have thoroughly read the ingredient label for this toner. One of the top ingredients in this toner is denatured alcohol, an ingredient that dries out the skin. Denatured alcohol can potentially damage the skin’s natural barrier, too. Needless to say, I chucked this as soon as I realized my mistake.
Say Yes To Tomatoes Clear Skin Daily Balancing Moisturizer | $14.99 (CF)
I wanted to love the Say Yes To Tomatoes Clear Skin Daily Balancing Moisturizer. Unfortunately, I just don’t like this moisturizer. I dislike the yogurt and granola smell, as well as the creamy formula.
As an oily-skinned girl, gel-creams tend to work better at moisturizing my skin than traditional creams. This particular cream from Yes To was contributing to my bad acne.
Massive Mid-Year Declutter | Cosmetics
Although cosmetics may be the smallest portion of my seasonal empties roundup, they are the largest portion of my massive mid-year beauty declutter. It is hard to finish powder products!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Prism Eyeshadow Palette | $42.00 (CF)
I surprised myself by decluttering the Anastasia Beverly Hills Prism Palette. I’ve owned this since it launched during Holiday 2016, but I’ve never used it. The palette doesn’t inspire me. Read more about my purchase regrets here.
GLAMGLOW – Plumprageous Matte Lip Treatment | $24.00 – now discontinued
I’ve owned the Plumprageous Matte Lip Treatment for 2.5 years, but have never opened it. At this point, I don’t feel comfortable using this on my lips, so I tossed this in the bin.
Have you tried this? Let me know in the comments below if you have used this and loved it!
LORAC – Tantalizer Baked Bronzer | $12.00 – now discontinued
LORAC was one of the first high-end brands when I was first getting into makeup. The Tantalizer Bronzer was a go-to eyeshadow staple that I wore nearly every day. If I’m being honest with myself, I haven’t reached for the Tantalizer in eight or nine years. I’ve only kept this product for nostalgic reasons.
During my massive mid-year beauty declutter, I finally decided to toss this bronzer/shadow out! If I find myself missing this product, I can always repurchase it.
Milani – Baked Blush in Red Vino | $7.99 (CF)
I don’t know what I was thinking when I purchased the Milani Baked Blush in Red Vino. Just kidding. I was thinking I want to retry this old favorite, but in a color I know I don’t own.
There is a REASON why I don’t own any blushes this color. Red Vino is WAY too deep and pigmented for my skin tone. The formula is beautiful and the Milani Baked Blushes are some of the best cheek products at the drug store. I would purchase this blush again, but in a shade that actually suits my fair skin.
Natasha Denona – Mini Lila Palette | $25.00 (CF)
If you regularly read my blog then it should come to no surprise that I’m decluttering this palette. If you’re curious for my full thoughts click here to check out my review.
NYX – Wonderstick (Light) | $12.74 (CF)
Over the last year and a half, I’ve been trying to be more intentional with purchasing a mix of affordable, prestige, and luxury beauty brands. I am a firm believer that price is not a determinant of quality. NYX was once the ~hot~ drugstore brand in the US, but I’ve tried very little from them.
In my attempt to purchase more from the drugstore, I snagged the NYX cream contour and highlight duo, Wonderstick. Even though I enjoyed the contour stick and found that it blended easily and played well with other products, I always forced myself to use the Wonderstick.
I contemplated trying to pan the Wonderstick, but the thought seemed daunting and unrealistic. I love my other contours and bronzers too much to reach for this regularly. During my massive mid-year beauty declutter, I decided to toss this contour in the bin.
RMS Beauty – Eye Pigment in Lucky | $28.00 (CF)
The RMS Beauty Eye Polish in Lucky* is one of my favorite cream shadow formulas and colors. I was sad to discover that this eye pigment had gone off.
One of the cons of supporting natural brands is that their products have a shorter shelf life than traditional products. I would definitely repurchase this shadow, but I am unlikely to repurchase right now.
RMS Beauty – Living Luminizer | $38.00 (CF)
Clean, natural-leaning brands are wonderful for many reasons… except their short shelf life. I was heartbroken to discover that my RMS Beauty Living Luminizer* had gone off. The texture felt chunky, thick, and greasy.
Prior to going bad, the Living Luminizer provided the most natural, dewy, glossy, wet-looking highlight wherever applied. Whenever I used this highlighter, my skin looked radiant and healthy.
I would certainly repurchase this highlighter, but I am not looking to repurchase this right now.
Smashbox – Be Legendary Lipstick in Cognac & Pretty Social | $28.00 (CF)
The Smashbox Be Legendary Lipsticks have been staples in my collection for many years. The Be Legendary Lipstick formula gave me the confidence to wear lipstick. Previously, I felt like lipstick never looked good on me.
Although I still love the Be Legendary formula, my all-time favorite shade, Cognac, finally went bad. If I want to repurchase this warm raisin neutral lipstick I can. However, I have quite a few comparable shades in my collection.
After much back and forth, I ended up decluttering the shade Pretty Social, too. Pretty Social is a light, pinky nude that used to be my go-to pink lippie. However, the actual lipstick ended up breaking in the tube. Once the lipstick broke, I never wanted to reach for it. After purchasing a similar shade from MAC, I finally felt it was time to let this go.
Stila – Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Shadow in Diamond Dust | $25.00 (CF)
Decluttering my beloved Stila Diamond Dust Magnificent Metals* felt like I was throwing away my money. This liquid glitter dried out SO quickly.
I find it odd that the shade Karma Kitten is still in great condition, while Diamond Dust dried out. I would consider repurchasing Diamond Dust in the future, but not at this time.
Urban Decay – Naked Eyeshadow Palette | $54.00 (CF)
The Urban Decay Eyeshadow Palette was my first high-end eyeshadow palette, so it is very near and dear to my heart. Although the shadow still performs well, it is just so old that I no longer feel comfortable putting this on my eyelids.
I’ve officially *retired* this palette. However, given my strong attachment, I’ve decided to keeps this on display in my vanity.
Urban Decay – Razor Sharp Liquid Eyeliner in Snakebite | $22.00 (CF) – now discontinued
My Urban Decay Razor Sharp Liquid Liner in Snakebite (a dirty gold color) went off. However, I rarely reached for this liner even when it was still good. In general, I prefer felt tip liquid liners as opposed to brush-tip liners. Also, the color was not as pigmented as I expected.
Urban Decay – Vice 4 Eyeshadow Palette | $54.00 (CF)
The Urban Decay Vice 4 Eyeshadow Palette is an eyeshadow palette that I regret purchasing. At the time I purchased it, Urban Decay was still my favorite brand. They were one of the hottest, it-girl brands on the market.
However, I was in a very “neutral” eyeshadow phase, so this palette never got the love it deserved (outside of Halloween time). This year, I finally decided it was time to declutter this palette from my collection.
Wet n’ Wild – Color Icon Kohl Liner in Calling Your Buff! | $1.49
I haven’t disliked an eyeliner this much since middle school. The Wet n’ Wild Color Icon Kohl Liner is a very stiff formula. It is difficult to apply the product without poking the eye or tugging on the skin.
Furthermore, this liner has no staying power. I like that this liner comes in a traditional pencil format. Unfortunately, the formula does not meet my needs.
Wet n’ Wild – Color Icon Blush in Rose Champagne | $3.18
At one point, the WnW Blush in Rose Champagne was my go-to blush, but I haven’t touched this blush in over a year. The blush was starting to show its age in the pan. I figured it was time to toss this. I know I’d never reach for this over any other blush in my collection
Wet n’ Wild – Photo Focus Foundation in Soft Beige | $6.99
Am I the only one who doesn’t understand the hype that surrounds the Wet n’ Wild Photo Focus Foundation? Did all the gurus raving about this foundation actually wear this for a full day?
First, this foundation is not full coverage (as advertised). Second, this foundation has ZERO staying power no matter how I set it. I’ve tried countless primers, setting powders, setting sprays, and application methods… but to no avail. This foundation quite literally melts off my skin within four hours of applying it. I have oily skin, but my best friend has experienced the same issues with staying power despite her normal-to-dry skin.
Viseart – Grande Pro Volume I | $150.00 (CF)
To be blunt – these Viseart shadows are not worth the money. Are they bad? No. But just not worth the price tag due to the dry, powdery formula and patchy pigmentation. Read my in-depth review on the Grande Pro Palette.
Zoey Sweet – Single Eyeshadow in Rosee | TBD
I received a free Zoey Sweet single eyeshadow pot while at Beautycon NYC this year. While I originally wanted to test this shadow out since I had never tried any makeup from Zoey Sweet, I had a change of heart.
Rather than ruining this eyeshadow by swatching it, I’ve decided to pass this unopened shadow on to someone else.
Decluttered Products: 27
Decluttered Product Value: $782.69
The more items I gathered during my massive mid-year beauty declutter, the bolder and more empowered that I felt. Sometimes the hardest thing is just to get the ball rolling.
Final Thoughts | Massive Mid-Year Beauty Declutter
I felt very overwhelmed while I was doing this massive mid-year beauty declutter. My beauty spending exploded because I tend to spend money when I’m feeling anxious. However, the size and organization of my beauty collection started to contribute to my stress. At the start of the season, I was bringing in way more items than I was finishing. I was spending way too much money.
In the end, I think I did a great job of working through a ton of small products that weren’t adding anything to my collection. Even though I don’t plan to repurchase many of the items that I finished, I’m always happy to use up a product. Using up products helps me to learn what I like and dislike about certain formulations.
This season, I finished or decluttered 71 products, valued at $1,181.99 USD. From a volume perspective, 26% of my collection has been decluttered, donated, or used up. As of this writing, my collection consists of 363 items and is valued at ~$7K USD.
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Did you enjoy my massive mid-year beauty declutter? Check out my previous Winter Empties review roundup. Looking for even more decluttering or project pan inspo? Check out my 2018 Yearlong Project Pan Finale and my 2018 Year-End Declutter.
Have you tried any of these products before? Did you do a massive mid-year beauty declutter? What did you declutter this Spring? Please let me know in the comments below.