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by Lydia Parker
Your makeup drawer called. It wants a ceasefire. The crusty palettes, the seven almost-identical nude lipsticks, and that mascara from the Jurassic period? We’re not doing that anymore. Today, we declare Makeup Drawer Amnesty: no shame, just ruthless clarity, hygiene, and a 30-day capsule kit you can use half-asleep without painting your eyebrows where your eyelashes go.
Yes, I too once hoarded 14 sample primers that all felt like expensive glue. Consider me reformed and here to liberate your vanity.
We may use affiliate links in this post. If you buy through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for funding my crusade against dried-out mascara.
Set a timer. Put on a playlist. We’re not moving in—we’re moving out.
If you can’t remember when you opened it, it’s old. Or you’re a time traveler. Either way, replace it.
How to clean brushes without turning your sink into a glitter swamp:
Recommended helpers that don’t become more clutter:
The capsule kit is your no-brainer daily face. If you haven’t worn it since the last presidential election, it’s not daily. It’s cosplay. For 30 days, we pick one reliable option per category:
Yes, that’s it. Your future 7-minute mornings say thanks.
Rules to keep you honest:
Extras live in a separate, labeled spot. They are for fun looks and weekends, not everyday rummaging.
Pop your capsule into a single organizer or shallow tray so weekday-you isn’t treasure hunting at 7 AM. Clear organizers make it easy to see when items are running low.
If you need an organizer that fits most drawers and doesn’t scream plastic explosion:
While you’re shopping or not-shopping, read Stop Buying Bins: The Organizing Gear You Actually Need (and What You Don’t). Translation: declutter first, then buy the smallest set of helpers that earn their real estate.
Your Not Sure pile becomes a 30-day Maybe Bag:
If you need more structure, pair this with the one-in, one-out rule below.
Clutter isn't indecision. It's delayed decisions on repeat. Make one, then protect it with a simple rule.
Lydia Parker, Chaos Slayer
Create a tiny label for open dates:
Need help resetting the whole bathroom while you’re at it? Tag-team this with Declutter Your Bathroom: The 15-Minute Purge (Because You Don’t Need 8 Half-Empty Shampoo Bottles).
Donation note:
We’re going to test this capsule like it’s on trial for cuteness and speed.
Week 1: pure obedience
Week 2: tweak
Week 3: streamline
Week 4: lock it in
While you’re on a roll, take the same ruthless vibe to your daily carry. Your purse isn’t a mobile beauty supply store—cross-check with The Ultimate Guide to Decluttering and Organizing Your Purse.
Daily, 60 seconds:
Weekly, 10 minutes:
When energy is low, be kind and keep it tiny. Try the The One-Minute Rule: Tiny Tasks That Keep Your Life from Imploding to keep the drawer civilized on autopilot.
Do I need backups?
Only for true daily staples you’ll replace within a month (like mascara). Store a single backup, labeled with the purchase month, and don’t buy another until you crack it open.
What about seasonal shades?
Capsule is 30 days, not eternity. Keep a slim Seasonal envelope (one lipstick, one blush, one liner). Rotate when the weather and your face change moods.
Travel-size hoard?
Create a Travel Capsule bag: decanted base, mini powder, 1 blush stick, 1 mini palette, 1 mascara, 1 brow, 1 lip. Done. If your hotel toiletry stash is trying to unionize, pair this with Declutter Your Bathroom: The 15-Minute Purge (Because You Don’t Need 8 Half-Empty Shampoo Bottles).
Which organizer should I buy?
First, measure the drawer. Second, read Stop Buying Bins: The Organizing Gear You Actually Need (and What You Don’t). Third, buy one shallow tray that sets a hard boundary.
Then, and only then, can you swatch something shiny on your hand like a raccoon and call it research.
What’s the weirdest thing you found in your makeup stash? I’ll go first: a neon blue eyeliner I swore was “subtle.” Tag us with your before-and-after drawer glow-ups on Instagram: @mysimple.life.official. And if your bathroom still looks like a product jungle, start a quick detox with Declutter Your Bathroom: The 15-Minute Purge (Because You Don’t Need 8 Half-Empty Shampoo Bottles).
You don’t need 47 products to look like you slept. You need a calm drawer, a clean brush, and a capsule that loves your actual face on an actual Tuesday.
Lydia Parker
Lydia grew up in a home where the motto was "Keep everything; you never know when you’ll need it!" After years of wading through mountains of Tupperware lids and mismatched socks, she had an epiphany: less is more. Armed with a label maker and a deep love for minimalism, she turned her life around and now dedicates her days to helping others tame their clutter and embrace simplicity.
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