How To Spring Clean Your Makeup Collection

This post was originally published on April 13, 2022. It was edited extensively on April 19, 2024.

Spring Cleaning Your Beauty Collection with a Professional Makeup Artist Eye 

I’m Natalie Setareh. I’m a makeup artist, makeup educator, and author. If you want to learn how to wear makeup, make sure to check out all the ways you can learn with me here.

As a professional makeup artist, hygiene is paramount in my work. We have to keep our kits clean and sanitized after every use, in between clients. And over the years many of my clients and students have always had a curious interest in how I keep my makeup kit organized and sanitized.

But keeping your kit ‘clean’ isn’t limited to professionals… everyone in some way, shape, or form has a collection of self-care and beauty products that also need a deep cleaning.

And so just like I teach people how to wear makeup, I also like to teach people how to keep their ‘kits’ clean.

Aside from the ‘don’t share makeup with strangers’ advice, more in-depth hygiene practices in the beauty world aren’t common knowledge.

This blog post guides you through a 10-step spring cleaning refresh for your beauty routine and collection. Not just cleaning the products but also culling your collection and creating a streamlined system that supports your unique beauty goals and promotes healthy skin.

Step 1:  Gather All Your Beauty Items

This is the first step in your spring cleaning process. I recommend doing this according to the Marie Kondo method…gather all the products in your beauty collection (don’t forget all the contents inside your purse, gym bag, travel bag, beauty fridge, etc) and put them all on a large workspace or table.

Step 2: Group & Categorize Products 

Then, you’ll begin grouping products. There are many ways you can group them but I think it’s best to keep your skincare products separated from your makeup products separated from your personal hygiene (bath) products.

Depending on the size of your collection, you may want to categorize them into even more categories.

• Cleansers
• Serums
• Moisturizers: Eye Creams, Hand Creams, Face Creams, SPFs
• Face Masks
• Sprays

The same is true for makeup. Depending on the size of your makeup collection, consider separating your makeup collection into the following categories:

• Base Products: Foundation, tinted moisturizer, concealer, setting powder
• Eye Products: eyeshadow palettes, eyeliner, mascara
• Face Products: Blush, bronzer, highlighter
• Lip Products: Lipstick, lip gloss, lip balm

After you’ve completed this, you may have already identified old products that you know you don’t want to keep. I have some suggestions later in the post on how to responsibly discard these products.

If you identify unopened or unused products that you have no intention of ever using, and they aren’t expired, set those aside in a giveaway/donate pile.

Step 3: Check The Expiration Dates 

Before busting out your magnifying glass and doing some investigative work on finding the expiration dates on all those products, how about you add the products you haven’t used in the last year to the discard pile. And then trust your common sense (s). Even if a product hasn’t reached its official expiry date, toss it if the formula separates, changes consistency, develops a strange odor, or irritates your skin. These are all signs the product has gone bad.

Toss 3-6 Months After Opening

• Gel eyeliner
• Liquid eyeliner
• Mascara

Toss 12 Months After Opening

• Concealer
• Eye cream
• Cream blush, bronzer, and highlighter
• Eyeshadow
• Foundation
• Lip gloss
• Nail polish**

**This is considered hazardous waste and should be thrown away properly.**

Toss 24 Months After Opening

• Pencil eyeliners (that are sharpened)
• Lipstick
• Powder blush, bronzer, or highlighter
• Setting Powder
• Moisturizers (facial or body)

Why Can’t I Use Expired Products?

• Skin changes: As we age, our skin becomes more sensitive. Preservatives in makeup break down over time, potentially causing irritation or allergic reactions.
• Reduced efficacy: Expired products might not perform as well (less vibrant colors, less blendable powders, less effective skincare ingredients).
• Bacteria growth: Expired or unclean makeup tools can harbor bacteria, leading to breakouts and skin infections.

Pro Tip: Batch Expiry Check!  Schedule a quarterly reminder on your phone to check expiration dates. This way, you avoid a massive decluttering session and can address expired makeup as you go.

Step 4: Check Formulations

Using products formulated for your specific skin type is key to achieving a flawless, healthy-looking complexion (makeup or not and regardless of skin type. When you don’t use products formulated for your skin type, your skin (and any makeup you put on top of it) will feel and wear uncomfortable.

Add all the products that aren’t formulated for your skin type to the discard pile.

Not sure about your skin type? If you aren’t sure of your skin type and if the products are formulated for your skin type, refer to my free skin type guide or my book.

For a more in-depth analysis of your skin type and the different products best suited for you, I highly recommend scheduling a visit with a dermatologist or licensed esthetician. Both of whom can provide a personalized assessment.

Step 7: Clean & Sanitize

Now that you’ve streamlined your beauty collection, now it’s time to ensure everything is clean and sanitized.

For a step-by-step list of all the products I recommend for sanitizing makeup, grab my clean guide here.

But in a nutshell, you’ll want to:

• Grab a clean cloth or clean towel and wipe down the exterior of all your products.
• Open the powder products and generously spray them with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
• Throw your old makeup bag in the washing machine
• Deep clean all your dirty makeup brushes, beauty sponges, and tools (weekly for brushes used daily, and bi-weekly for less frequently used ones).
• This is also a great time to discard any other brushes that you have never used or aren’t ever intent on learning how to use.

Step 8: Organize Your Collection

An organized makeup collection is a joy to use!

Here are some tips to keep your makeup items accessible and in good condition:

• Storage Solutions:

  I keep all the products I use daily or frequently out on my sink shelf and on my makeup ‘vanity’ (it’s not really a vanity but it’s where I lay out my makeup and do my makeup most days). I keep the rest of my makeup products in clear organizers and clear makeup bags. This allows me to see everything at a glance and prevents products from getting buried or forgotten.

• Categorize by Order/Frequency of Use:

  I keep all my skincare products in the general order I use them, above my sink. Because sometimes I need to prep my skin differently for makeup (above and beyond my skincare routine), I keep those skin prep products there as well. I also keep my makeup separate from my skincare (since I do my makeup in a different place). I have my top 5 most used products in a small grouping, with easy access to my other makeup products (in clear containers) that I don’t use as often. I keep a lip mask by my bed and hand creams at my desk and in my car.

• Store Products in Cool, Dry Places:

  None of my makeup or skincare products are in direct sunlight or rooms that run hot. Heat and sunlight can degrade the quality of your makeup and skincare products. For my professional kit, I store all my products in a cool, dry room away from direct sunlight.

• Declutter Regularly:

  Schedule mini-decluttering sessions every few months to toss expired makeup or products you simply don’t reach for anymore. This prevents clutter from accumulating and ensures your collection stays fresh.

Have Lots Of Extra/Duplicate Products? Create a mini makeup bag for on-the-go touch-ups. I have one for my gym bag and one for my purse! Or consider depotting some of your makeup and building your own palettes.

Step 9: Sort Through Discard Pile

Not everything needs to be tossed just yet! 

For used/expired skincare products, consider the following:

• Repurpose Old Containers:  Clean out old makeup containers and use them to store cotton swabs, bobby pins, or hair ties.  They can also be used for travel-sized portions of your favorite skincare products.
• Recycle Programs:  Check with your local recycling program to see if they accept beauty product packaging.  Some brands even offer recycling initiatives – look for information on their websites.

For used/expired makeup products:

I created a series of makeup coloring books (for kids of all ages). You can still play and experiment with your makeup in a creative, fun, and safe way.  This is also a great way to get the littles in your life playing with makeup in a safe, age-appropriate way. Once the makeup is used it, you can see what/how to recycle the packaging products.

Bonus Video: Wash Your Brushes with Me!