Purging and organizing makeup is one of the biggest concerns for most women. There are so many new items that hit the market every week and everyone wants the latest skincare or makeup product. I love to follow beauty bloggers because you can learn so much from them when it comes to applying makeup or seeing what they have tried and liked. The downside which I see from an organizers perspective is what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for all, especially when there is an age difference. I have seen more products purchased because of social media and when it arrives it doesn’t look the same on them and it doesn’t get returned which becomes clutter. Ask for samples or buy a travel size first to see if you like it. Always try before you buy!
PURGE This is always the first step when organizing any area in the home and makeup and skincare is no different. Guilt plays a big role when purging makeup and skincare. If you spend money on an item and you don’t get the results you were looking for it tends to go back in a drawer. Start by removing everything out of the drawers and cabinets this allows you to start with a clean slate before you put everything back. If you don’t know how long to keep a makeup item this article will give you the information on what you need to toss. One important tip to save money is to keep the receipt in the original box and if you don’t like it return it! This will free you of the guilt you feel when tossing something you paid a lot of money for. Makeup and skincare become clutter quickly when not purged often.
SORT A big part of staying organized especially with makeup is sorting like items. My clients are often surprised how many duplicates they own when we start to sort makeup. Keeping like items together will save money, space and the time you spend searching for items that are thrown in a drawer. Keep only what you use and let the rest go. Simplifying your daily makeup routine will also simplify your makeup.
ORGANIZE Invest in a product that works for your space. As you can see from the photos there are many options. Are you short on drawer space but have room under the sink? Do you have the counter space to keep a container on the counter to display your makeup? Whatever option you choose make sure everything you keep has a place.
When people ask me where to begin the organizing process I always suggest starting in an area that is manageable and attainable. Purging and organizing your makeup and skincare is the perfect place to begin because those are items that are used on a daily basis. Make 2019 the year to simplify!
My blog for the new year is less about resolutions and more about making simple changes. In 2019 I would like to see a commitment to simplifying all aspects of your home and life. As an organizer I see how simplifying brings a sense of calm and contentment to a hectic and stressful life. Simplifying is not just in the home it reaches many other parts of your life. How can you simplify in 2019?
These are a few of my tips to help motivate and inspire you to attain a simple uncluttered life.
SIMPLIFY YOUR HEALTH
Your health is absolutely the first place to begin because if you don’t have your health nothing else matters. After my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 I realized how time stops the minute you hear that diagnosis. You feel paralyzed and nothing else matters. It sometimes takes something major to make you realize how lucky you are to be healthy.
Do you put yourself last after everyone else in your life? When is the last time you had a yearly physical? Mammogram? So many illnesses and diseases if caught early are curable. Make a list of appointments that need to be made and schedule them. Don’t put off something that could save your life.
Mental health is also a big part of self care. Everybody needs someone they can talk to especially with everything going on in our world. Who feels absolutely safe for themselves and their loved ones when they leave their home these days? That alone causes anxiety, stress and depression. Make your health a priority in 2019!
SIMPLIFY YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
Quality over quantity is how you simplify relationships. Do you feel like you are always the one who plans everything? Are you the friend everyone can turn to but when it’s your turn there is only a couple people around? Value those relationships and let the unfulfilling, negative people in your life go. Turn off your phone and computer devices when you are with someone. Everybody’s time is valuable and by having an uninterrupted conversation it will make the person you are with feel special and valued and really isn’t that what we all want.
SIMPLIFY YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE
Whether it’s pilates, yoga, cross fit or walking any exercise is great for your mind and body. I recently got into podcastsand I could have walked to China listening to a few of my latest favorites. If you keep it simple and enjoyable next year it will already be part of your normal routine.
SIMPLIFY YOUR HOME
As an organizer you knew this topic was coming. I cannot stress enough the importance of simplifying your home. If you feel the project is too overwhelming hire a professional but get it done. Start small with one area at a time. Once you see how much easier it is to find items and see what you own it will motivate you to tackle another area. I have been told repeatedly by clients it is life changing! Some of my clients like me to do an annual refresh to keep them organized throughout the year. Its like having a tune up for your home just as you would for your car to make sure things are running smoothly.
SIMPLIFY YOUR WARDROBE
I can’t tell you how many times people have tried to talk me into florals or stripes when I’m trying on clothes. I always say the same thing I just don’t feel comfortable in patterns. Simplify your style by buying the basics and adding a bit of trendy with belts, scarves, jewelry or shoes. Keep only what you love and makes you feel good when you wear it!
SIMPLIFY YOUR WORK LIFE
The best way to simplify your work environment is to clear the clutter. Sounds simple but is difficult for many. A desk should be used for things you are presently working on and a computer. Everything else should be in a desk top collator or file for easy access. Another tip is to learn how to delegate instead of trying to do everything yourself. Whether work or home you can’t do it all and as women we sometimes think we can or should be able to do it all. The reality is no one can do everything and do it right. Give some responsibility to others and reap the benefits in the new year.
SIMPLIFY YOUR SKINCARE
I feel like I’m a bit of an expert on this subject because I have tried every skincare routine out there with the hopes of amazing results and I always go back to a simple basic routine. Using more products doesn’t make your skin necessarily better and it can be irritating. Keep it simple and your skin will thank you!
SIMPLIFY YOUR MAKEUP
The easiest way to simplify your makeup is to find a basic routine that works for you. Foundation, mascara, concealer, blush, eye liner, eye shadow palette and lipstick are all you really need especially as you age. Simplifying your makeup makes getting ready in the morning less stressful and easier to keep everything neat, organized and accessible. Another important tip especially with foundation ask for samples. It will alleviate unnecessary clutter and the guilt you feel when you spend money on something and don’t like it.
SIMPLIFY YOUR CALENDAR
If you want to simplify your life one of the first places to look is your calendar. It is a difficult task for many because most people are over committed. If you’re a parent now is the time to see how you can simplify your childs activities into your schedule because ultimately it becomes a part of your life. Another important tip learn to say NO. It takes practice but it will not only simplify your life but it will allow you to make time for yourself.
SIMPLIFY YOUR GOALS
Many people are hard on themselves when they make resolutions for the new year and they don’t achieve them. Whether it’s losing weight, receiving a promotion or getting organized setting realistic goals may work better to achieve success in the new year.
January is get organized month so stay tuned for more tips to simplify your home and your life.
Every year the day after Christmas I take down my decorations. I know to many this is too soon but for me it signals the start of a new year and getting back to normalcy after a busy holiday season. It doesn’t matter when you take them down as long as you have a plan on how you will be storing them. The simplest way to tackle this project is set aside the time to complete the entire task. Starting something and not finishing leads to clutter and stress. The new year is a few days away and now is the perfect time to get your home organized by properly storing your holiday decorations.
SORT ORNAMENTS BY COLOR Sorting ornaments by color allows you to label the boxes for easy access the following year. I like to choose a color theme every year and labeling them makes it easy to see what I own before I start to decorate.
LABEL ALL CONTAINERS The easiest way to take down decorations in your home is to label storage containers by the area in your home. Example: garland for stairs, wreath above fireplace, outdoor garland, etc. Labeling everything will save you time and frustration.
SIMPLIFY FOR NEXT YEAR Purging after the holiday saves you a step next year. If you did not use it, do not like it, don’t have room to store it or is broken now is the time to let it go.
The task of cleaning up after the holidays does not have to be something you dread instead look at it as the beginning of a peaceful, stress free simplified New Year.
