This year, I am actively attempting to curb my shopping and use the beauty products that I own through my yearlong rolling Project Pan updates. However, some projects just won’t get used up. Keep reading for my sweet summer beauty declutter to see what products I’m removing from my collection.
A Little Bit About My Collection
As a beauty lover, I am constantly trying new products – whether from a dope indie brand or a favorite brand. However, sometimes it feels like my collection has a mind of its own. In some ways, I feel like my collection has expanded beyond my control.
Impulsive online shopping has negative ramifications. Unfortunately, wasted money and wasted products are two of those negative side effects. Although I try to donate or sell gently used products whenever I can, some items end up tossed in the bin. To avoid throwing out makeup, I perform a seasonal declutter every quarter. Keep reading for my sweet summer beauty declutter.
Decluttered Makeup
Overall, a clear theme emerged during my sweet summer beauty declutter. Many freebies are a waste of money (on the brand side) and a waste of space (for me). Instead of keeping a free product because it feels like a ”great value” I need to be much better at donating the things that I ~know~ I will not use.
Most of the below products could have been sold or donated brand new had I not stupidly decided to swatch the products on my arm.
Also, my makeup organization frustration is what spurred many of my decisions to get rid of products. I just do not have the space for anything anymore. At this point, I refuse to buy more storage. Items need to be finished or decluttered.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links (*). If you purchase by clicking on my links, I may be compensated at no additional cost to you.
Anastasia Beverly Hills – Gleam Glow Kit | $40.00 (CF) – now discontinued
I can still vividly remember sitting in my college dorm room excitedly ordering the Anastasia Beverly Hills Gleam Glow Kit. However, I finally felt it was time to toss this bad boy out.
Only two out of the four rose, cool-toned highlighters in this palette are light enough for my skin tone. Also, I don’t think I’ve used this palette once in the last two years.
ColourPop Cosmetics – Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick (Extra Toppings & Viper) | $6.50 each (CF) – now discontinued
Honestly, I hate that I swatched these lipsticks. Deep down, I knew that I wouldn’t wear them. Not only do I seldom reach for liquid lipsticks, but the sound of anything “ultra-matte” is terrifying for my lips.
I received both of these lipsticks for free this past year due to mistakes or delays with ColourPop orders. To my knowledge, both Viper and Extra Toppings have been discontinued. Given that I only swatched these liquid lippies, I passed them along to a friend. See where my remaining ColourPop Liquid Lipsticks landed in my lipstick ranking for dry lips.
ColourPop Cosmetics – Pressed Powder Bronzer (Opening Act) | $8.00 (CF) – now discontinued
I’m sad to say that the ColourPop Pressed Powder Bronzer in Opening Act was a total dud. Within a matter of five uses, the bronzer got a weird hardpan and lost all pigmentation. Even after scraping off the top layer of the hardpan, I couldn’t get this bronzer to work for me. Needless to say that this went straight into the bin.
Instead, read my best bronzer ranking for fair skin or read this post on how to easily remove hardpan from powder products.
Whether it is high end or drugstore, I don’t want to hold onto products I don’t like or use regularly
Glossier – Perfecting Skin Tint (G10) | $26.00 (CF)
To be fair, KathleenLights warned me in her all-brand review that the Glossier Skin Tint* wasn’t going to be great. BUT, I had to try this hyped product for myself anyway.
The skin tint provides next to no coverage yet somehow still feels heavy on my skin. The consistency feels extremely oily. As such, the Perfecting Skin Tint doesn’t appear to be for oily, acne-prone skin. See how I ranked my foundation for oily skin.
For on the brand’s most hyped products, check out my review Glossier’s cult classic products.
L.A. Girl – HD Pro Concealer – Peach Corrector | $3.99 (CF)
The L.A. Girl HD Pro Concealer Peach Corrector does its job at canceling out darkness underneath the eyes. However, I never reach for this product. Honestly, I don’t think to color correct. For this reason, I am decluttering it.
L’OREAL – Rouge Signature, Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick (I Create) | $11.99
Again, similar to the ColourPop Liquid Lipsticks, I received this L’Oreal Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick for free. Like the ColourPop lippies, I swatched it.
However, I just don’t reach for liquid lipsticks enough to justify keeping this liquid lipstick. Moreover, the volume of nude lipsticks in my collection is enough to dissuade me from keeping this. Instead, read about a liquid lipstick formula that I love.
Lime Crime – Metallic Velvatines Liquid Lipstick (Vibe) | $20.00 U(CF)
I received this Lime Crime Metallic Liquid Lipstick in the shade Vibe at Beautycon LA 2018. Like the other liquid lippies on this list, I held onto this liquid because I convinced myself I needed it. AGAIN, I swatched it and regret it. I *KNOW* that I do not like metallic lipsticks. However, I passed this liquid lipstick along given that I only swatched it on my arm one time.
NYX – Ultimate Edit Petite Eyeshadow Palette (Brights) | $6.99 (CF)
Ultimately, I’m decluttering the Ultimate Edit Petite Palette because I know I’ll never reach for this little rainbow palette. Again, I regret swatching this palette.
Pixi – Mesmerizing Mineral Eyeshadow Duo (Orchid Ornament) | Free (CF)
I received the Mesmerizing Mineral Eyeshadow Duo in Orchid Ornament while at Beautycon NYC. While I’m sure the shadows are fine, I’m not drawn to them. Realistically I will not reach this tiny duo over other shadows in my collection. My only regret is swatching these.
Revlon – Ultra HD Matte Lip Mousse (Death Valley) | $9.99
Catching onto a theme with this season’s declutter? I need to stop keeping things that I know I won’t wear. The Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Mousse in Death Valley is another one of those products. However, I know my sister enjoys this formula. I hope she’ll like this shade.
Tarte – 12-Hour Amazonian Clay Blush – Paaarty | $5.00 (CF)
Sadly, my beloved Tarte Blush in the shade Paarty* broke and shattered all over the floor. Therefore, I had to declutter this from my collection.
The Balm – Hot Mama Blush | $19.13 (CF)
I couldn’t tell you the last time that I used The Balm’s Hot Mama Blush. Although this blush was a staple in my collection for years, I cannot justify keeping something that I do not ever use. Emotional attachment aside, this blush had to go.
The BrowGal – Double Ended Highlighter Pencil |$20.00
I received the BrowGal Double Ended Highlighter Pencil at Beautycon NYC 2019. While the quality of the brow pencil is good, the color is deeper than my actual skin tone. Given that this doesn’t highlight my brow bone, I am decluttering this.
Decluttered Skincare
It is rare for me to declutter skincare items. Therefore, I am not shocked that I only got rid of one item in my sweet summer beauty declutter. Typically, I only declutter skincare products that cause reactions or that have expired.
Supergoop! – Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 | $32.00 (CF)
I’m sad to say that I hated the Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen. Simply put, although this is lightweight, it feels too slippery. Moreover, it feels too much like a pore-filling primer rather than a sunscreen. As a result, this sunscreen broke me out pretty badly.
Decluttered Haircare
Thankfully, I do not own a ton of hair products. Nevertheless, a few items found their way into my sweet summer beauty declutter.
Love Beauty & Planet – Coconut Milk & White Jasmine Medium Hold and Volume Hairspray | $5.99 (CF)
Sadly, the Love Beauty & Planet Coconut Milk & White Jasmine Hairspray was a flop. While I appreciate that the spray is not an aerosol can, the actual sprayer doesn’t work. Hairspray isn’t released in an even or effective way. Instead, it falls out like a liquid.
sheaMoisture – Manuka Honey and Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Split End Balm | $9.99 (CF)
The sheaMoisture Manuka Honey and Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Split End Balm was a major disappointment. At first, I was excited to be gifted this at Beautycon NYC. Sadly, this balm is much less balmy than I anticipated. Instead, it felt solid, hard, and difficult to maneuver. I decluttered this product after attempting to use it one time.
Decluttered Products: 21
Decluttered Product Value: $290.56
Final Thoughts on my Summer Declutter & Summer Empties
I am happy with my downsizing progress even though I decluttered less than I did last season. During my sweet summer beauty declutter I finished or decluttered 55 products at a value of $743.48.
To date, my collection is valued at $9.1K and 414 products. As always, I don’t share these numbers to brag. I share these numbers to keep myself accountable. Also, keep in mind that this is the ~value~ of my collection, not the amount of money I’ve spent. Gifts, freebies, PR samples, and items purchased on sale are assigned a value based using the full-price MSRP.
However, if you’ve been following along with my journey this year, you’ll notice that my collection size and value skyrocketed this quarter. Even after the declutter, my collection increased ~14% in size and 30% in value.
I spent too much money during the Fourth of July sales and Labor Day Sales. My intense online shopping was a direct response to the extreme anxiety I was experiencing at the time. I’m ~trying~ to develop better coping mechanisms for dealing with low periods.
Let’s connect on social media: Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin’ | Influenster
Do you love empties posts? Check out my previous Winter Empties or Spring Empties posts. Looking for more decluttering inspo? Check out my massive Spring Declutter or my Marie Kondo-inspired declutter.
Have you tried any of these products before? What products did you use up this Summer? Please let me know in the comments below.