Makeup I don’t “need” anymore

My makeup basket continues to shrink. 🙂

I think I must have reached the age where “less” becomes “more”, as far as makeup is concerned.

I thought about listing what I’ve got left in my collection after yet more editing. But I think that would be boring. Suffice to say, I’m left with just the basics, and they are mostly neutrals.

I thought it might be more interesting to list what I’m not using anymore:

• Bronzer. Actually, I never really saw the point of it, but everyone else seemed to be using it to “add dimension” or contour. I’ve decided that my cheekbones are fine as they are. I did keep one compact, for those times when I need to add warmth to a too-pale foundation.
• Highlighter. I think I prefer an all-over, subtle glow rather than spot application of highlight powders or creams. For instance, in the winter, when my skin is dry and I need a bit of “glow”, I will use Laura Mercier’s Radiance primer under my foundation. In the summer, my skin is oily enough that I don’t need any extra highlighting.
• Concealer. I can’t seem to find one that doesn’t enhance the wrinkles under my eyes. I’d rather live with my undereye circles, which really aren’t that bad, anyway. And I don’t have a lot of blemishes to conceal, either. (But even when I had acne, I never bothered concealing my blemishes. It never fooled anyone into thinking I had clear skin.)
• Pencil, liquid, or gel eyeliners.  Instead, I use a black powder eyeshadow. Powder is so much easier to apply, glides gently on my lids, and I prefer the look of it. (I use a small angled paintbrush, similar to the MAC 266.)
• Lip gloss. They are just too much “gloss” for my face! But some makeup brands are now formulating sheer, shiny lipstick formulas–kind of a gloss-lipstick hybrid with a more subtle shine–and I’m really liking those. I also have a shiny lip balm (Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour Cream stick) that I use under and over lipstick to add a more natural-looking shine.

I’m also using a lot less foundation these days–just the thinnest layer. Again, I had to choose between coverage and wrinkles. Darn those tiny little lines!

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Ruthless purge of the makeup collection

As I’ve mentioned before on this blog (and a few times on my previous blog), I’ve been feeling annoyed by the size of my makeup collection.

I kept telling myself that I wanted a small, carefully edited selection. So periodically, I’d throw out a few useless products. But I knew I wasn’t done. Because then every day, I’d see my “favorites” left in the makeup drawer, and I’d still feel like it was just too much.

Well, last night, as I was putting away my latest purchase, I decided enough was enough, and I started tossing. Really tossing. To be precise, I threw away 24 items, including some that were recently purchased.

What I’m left with:

• Products that are tried and true and that I’ve purchased more than once, or will likely repurchase.
• Products that work well for specific purposes (long wear, photography, formal or casual, etc.)
• Products that I’m still experimenting with, and/or learning to use. (I.e., I’m not quite ready to give up on them.)

What I discovered from what I tossed:

• I am DONE with lip gloss. No more. It doesn’t look good on me.
• Even if it was expensive, if it doesn’t perform, it’s not worth keeping. There are so many amazing products available– why hang on to the duds?
• Gifts-with-purchase and other random samples are not worth the space they take up. I’d rather choose my colors thoughtfully.

I’m pretty happy with what I have left. And I’ve decided that from here on out, I’ll implement a one-in, one-out rule. If I buy something new, something else will have to go. Since all I have left are things I like and use, this rule will make me think twice about my next impulse purchase.

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Now that I’ve done this, I’m working up the courage to edit my clothes wardrobe. This is going to be a challenge, because I don’t actually own a lot of clothing.

But I do have a good number of pieces that I never wear. And I’ve decided they don’t need to be hanging in my closet.