5 Steps to a Simplified Makeup Setup

Minimalism is more than a trend; it’s a lifestyle in today’s fast-paced world. From capsule wardrobes to decluttered homes, the less-is-more philosophy has changed the way we live and consume. But what about your beauty regimen? If your makeup collection is bursting with half-used palettes, expired lipsticks, and endless duplicates, it may be time to simplify things. Here are five steps to a more minimal makeup routine with a more organized beauty space.

Step 1: Assess What You Have

To get into a mindset to accept a more minimal makeup setup, you need to see what you already have. That means taking everything out yes, everything. We emptied our drawers, makeup bags, and shelves. Get everything out in front of you and take stock.

This is pretty eye-opening. You might find four lipstick shades that are nearly the same nude or three of the same highlighter with different packaging. The idea isn’t to judge yourself but rather to notice the patterns in your purchases.

Questions to Ask:

• The last time I used this product?
• Thou shalt not have duplicates of this item.
• Is this product still within its expiry period?

This is your opportunity to throw away expired products, broken items, and colors or formulas that you no longer wear. Once you clear the clutter, you’ll be able to see what matters in your daily life.

Step 2: Determine Your Musts

Minimalism is all about the life you need and love. After prioritizing, consider your makeup routine. What are your go-to products? What are the things you never fail to use every day?

Consider These Categories:

• Foundation, concealer, tinted moisturizer
• Eyes: Mascara, eyeliner, neutral eyeshadow palette
• Brows: Pencil, gel, powder
• Cheeks: Blush, bronzer, highlight
• Lips: One or two multi-use colors

You don’t have to have 10 blushes, five mascaras. Opt for multi-use products that can be easily blended into multiple looks. A cream blush, for example, can also be used as a lip tint. It not only cuts down on clutter; it makes your routine quicker and easier.

Organizing your makeup in a way that helps you support efficiency and simplicity is easier when creating a streamlined makeup bag.

Step 3: Master a Smart Storage System

You will need to stay organized if you want to keep things minimal. Once you’ve selected your essentials, spend money on a storage system that allows you to see and access everything.

Tips for Smart Storage:

• Opt for clear acrylic drawers or organizers so you can see everything at a glance.
• Organize items by category: base products, eye products, lip products.
• Store daily-use items in a separate, easily accessible tray.
• If you also have multiple drawers or storage containers, use labels.

Do not have makeup scattered all over. Having everything contained in one space makes it a lot easier to stay organized. Much of how to organize your makeup and maintain a minimalist setup is about keeping things in order.

Step 4: Embrace a One-in, One-out Rule

After you’ve streamlined your makeup collection, you want to keep it that way. That requires thinking about future purchases. One handy strategy is the one-in, one-out rule.

Here’s How It Works:

With every new product you purchase, you release the old one. Bought a new mascara? Then it’s time to get rid of the one that’s nearly empty or hasn’t been used in months. This keeps you from building piled-up clutter and keeps your collection under control.

Here are some questions to ask yourself before making a new purchase:

• Do I already have some version of this?
• Am I going to use this product over and over?
• Are there enhanced features moving me from the existing collection?

One of the greatest frustrations you will never learn how to organize your makeup is impulse buying. Conscious consumerism not only promotes a minimal makeup routine but also saves you money.

Step 5: Reassess and Reinvent Regularly

Minimalism isn’t a one-time project. That’s a work in progress that needs to be tended to regularly. Make analyzing your makeup collection a quarterly habit. Enter a reminder in your phone or calendar to quickly refresh.

What to Do During a Refresh:

• Re-check expiration dates and throw away any expired items.
• So rethink things and what you are truly using.
• Give unused, unopened products to friends, relatives or local shelters.
• Clean the brushes and tools you are using for makeup.

By regularly assessing your collection, you’ll prevent clutter from coming back, and you’ll keep your setup minimal and functional.

Regular check-ins also help to keep you in alignment with your evolving style and skincare needs. Perhaps you’re using more cream products now or have migrated toward clean beauty. Your setup should change as you do.

Read more about minimal makeup lifestyle tips

Five steps above will help you create a minimal make-up, but here are a few more tips to help you on your way.

Focus on Value Rather Than Volume

Rather than five mediocre foundations, invest in the right one for you. They provide better performance and longer lifespan, which ultimately makes them more economical in the long term.

Opt for Multi-Use Products

Try multipurpose makeup. A tinted moisturizer with SPF, a lip and cheek tint, or a contour stick that doubles as eyeshadow can cut down on how many products you bring while maintaining versatility.

Create a Travel-Ready Kit

You need a travel-size makeup bag where your must-have contents. It’s ideal for touch-ups, impromptu getaways, or hurried mornings when you need to prep on the fly. It also allows you to try out your essentials.

Go Digital With Inspiration

Instead of stockpiling magazines or saving endless screenshots on your phone, curate your makeup inspiration digitally. Keep your face-looks organized in apps like Pinterest, or just have an entire album dedicated to your iconic face moments!

Check Out Some Minimalist Beauty Icons for Inspiration

Follow makeup artists, influencers, or celebrities who advocate minimalist beauty. This may help you reinforce your commitment and inspire creative, low-cost ways to do more with less.

Final Thoughts

A minimal makeup setup isn’t about deprivation or taking shortcuts. It’s about deliberately considering what you own, everything you touch or love. By following these five steps

(A) Assess what you have: do your research;

(B) Define your essentials: learn the difference between want and need;

(C) Create a smart storage system;

(D) Go with the one-in, one-out rule and

(E) Regularly reassess your collection; you’ll find that less is more.

But when you know how to get your makeup organized properly, you create a cleaner, more functional space for yourself while improving your entire beauty regimen. Minimalism simplifies, lightens, and brings joy to your daily rituals.

So go on, dive into a more minimal makeup setup your future self (and your bathroom counter) will appreciate.