My stash has reduced substantially since I first started this blog and it’s quite the feat to keep it that way. But if you’re like me and don’t need makeup spilling out of every nook and cranny in your home, I have a few tips to keep it under control. 

First up, constantly remind yourself that you only have one face. Nothing keeps me from buying another blush more than the reminder that I only have one face to wear it on. Sure it gets difficult when there are new releases every other day, but at some point you don’t need more makeup than you can wear in your lifetime.

Set up your collection to have the essentials in each category so you won’t need to try and fill a void. Blush is a great example. Have a summery peach shade, an everyday shade, and a deeper mauve tone for colder months. Cover all of the basic categories and you won’t find yourself really missing anything from your stash. 

You should also unsubscribe from all makeup related newsletters. If you don’t know there are new products coming out, you won’t feel the need to buy anything new. Ignorance is bliss when it comes to new makeup.

It’s also super helpful to have a donation bin close by to remove no-longer-loved makeup from your stash. I find it even more helpful to have the basket I use in a separate drawer so I can clearly define what’s in my stash and what’s leaving it. Since I am fortunate enough to get samples sent to me occasionally, I like to keep them in this same drawer until I’ve tested them out. That way if I’m not crazy about them, they stay down there and never get moved to my main collection.

Check expiration dates often. This is a great way to clean out your stash on a regular basis and keep it under control. There’s no use holding on to makeup that’s expired. 

Buy new, smaller storage, and don’t let your makeup expand past it. When I did my great destash last year, I purchased new clear acrylic organizers and vowed that I couldn’t have more makeup than could fit in it. It’s helped so much at keeping my spending in check. Plus the smaller drawers get filled quicker and makes it look like I have a lot more makeup than I actually do. 

If you’re still having trouble keeping your stash small after a destash, practice the one-in-one-out rule. If you have to have that new lipstick, then there’s probably one in your collection that you don’t love as much. Let the new one replace it and send the other off to a friend, family member, or donate it if it’s lightly used.

But honestly at the end of the day, I’m incredibly happy with my makeup collection and that makes it easy to keep it small. It has everything I need and I don’t find myself lusting after makeup anymore since I have all my bases covered with what I currently own. I’ve picked high quality pieces that I invested in. Sure it cost more money up front, but I’ve saved a lot more in the long run from not buying more.

I swear the weather can’t make up its mind here in Michigan, but I’m definitely ready for fall to officially arrive. I’ve shaken up my everyday makeup drawers to add in more autumn ready shades. Here’s what’s now in rotation.

Although I love a good dewy finish base any time of year, I’m reaching for a more satin finish as October settles in. The IT Cosmetics Confidence is a Compact in the shade “Light” is creamy and light on the skin while not being so heavy on the shine. It’s one of the most buildable foundations I’ve ever tried and although I was a bit skeptical over the packaging at first, there’s a ton of product in there. Plus the compact makes it a lot easier to add more coverage on the go.

I’ve began a love affair with powders that I never thought would ever happen. It seriously helps that I’m no longer caking it on. And in an effort to reduce the glowy skin to more fall-like proportions, powders have been my best friend. Lately I’ve been enjoying the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Powder in “Transforming Neutral Beige” to help reduce the Rudolph qualities of my nose. It’s light on the skin and gives my concealer a little extra help in staying place and hiding just how little sleep I got the night before.

When the first leaf falls to the ground I find myself eyeing up my darker blushes. Thankfully blush is one thing I don’t have a heavy hand with so I’m not piling on too much of Revlon’s “Wine Not” or Urban Decay’s “Video.” The UD blush is much lighter and natural looking on the skin while “Wine Not” is meant to make a serious statement. 

I don’t know what it is about colder months that makes me want to whip out all the glitter eye shadows. Maybe it’s because I’m bringing down the glow in my foundation that I need to ramp it back up with my shadows? Stila’s “Kitten” is my go to, but if I’m feeling just too lazy to pull out the single shadow, LORAC’s Pro Palette has some gorgeous shimmery shades in it as well.

Fall demands some gorgeous berry and mauve hues so I’m delivering them with a gusto in the lip department. Clinique’s “Grandest Grape” has probably been in my collection way too long, but I’m still holding on to its perfect dark berry goodness. If I want something a little more “everyday” then Too Faced’s Melted Lipstick in “Melted Fig” is a great alternative. Plus it dries down onto the lips so it lasts a lot longer than most lipsticks.

What are your go to fall makeup staples?

There’s just something about fall that has new products plopping down on my doorstep. Summer always feels like a dormant beauty time for me as more often than not the makeup just slides off my face anyway. But makeup is finally not sweating off mere minutes after stepping outside so it’s now all about the new kids on the block. There are quite a few new goodies I’ve been testing out lately so this post is more of a heads up of upcoming rants or raves.

The best first, right? Anything IT Cosmetics sends my way I basically swoon to death over and these new launches are still giving me heart palpitations. The Miracle Water* is in quite the battle with my all time favorite Body Shop Vitamin E Toner so only time will truly tell which one comes out on top. The packaging is to die for and I’m obsessed with just how much product you get. 

Influenster just recently sent me the new L’Oréal Pure Clay Cleanser* and I haven’t even opened the tube yet to have any thoughts on the matter beyond excitement. I’ve always loved a good ol’ fashion clay mask product so I’m curious to see how it works in cleanser form. Plus Influenster always seems to come through with some really cool free products so definitely go sign up.

There’s already a full post in the schedule as to whether or not “healthy” deodorants are effective and worth the extra few dollars. Testing out the Lavanilla Deodorant* has left me with a lot of mixed feelings on the whole subject that definitely deserves a good long, rambling post.

Along with the clay cleanser, Influenster sent along the Pure-Clay Mask* for review as well. Is it normal to be pumped to try something out based on the color alone? It seems like L’Oréal is trying to step up their game by adding some quality and substance to their packaging. It really feels like gone are the days of a huge divide between drugstore and high end. It’s kind of a muddy mix now.

Now the Secret Sauce* has treated me well thus far, but I still can’t decide if it’s worth the hefty price tag. Skincare products always take a bit longer for a full test out anyway since I want to see if there’s a true difference made in the look and appearance of my skin. I’ve loved what I’ve seen from this stuff so far, but I’m still balking at the price tag. I’ll let you know soon enough if you should start saving your pennies.

Let me know in the comments if there’s a product in particular you really want a review on!

When summer rolls around I’m absolutely terrible with skincare. My dry skin loves all the added moisture and dewiness of a good hot day and I usually just settle for a quick cleanse and a moisturizer and I’m on my way. But as the weather changes my skin is already starting to tighten and raisin up again. Back to skincare I go.

I don’t like to over complicate really anything in my life, but skincare is high on the list. If my face is clean and there is some moisture put back into it, I’m a happy camper. My routine hasn’t changed much over the years, but I’ve repurchased nearly my entire routine a few times over. 

Ironically enough despite my lazy ways, I always double cleanse. I use Clinique’s Take the Day of Cleansing Balm to really work the makeup off my face and follow up with The Body Shop’s Vitamin C Cleansing Polish. If I skip one of these steps my makeup basically laughs at me as it clings to my skin. The cleansing balm removes everything while the polish cleans up and scrubs my skin. 

Next up is toner to remove any stubborn final bits of makeup and prime my skin for putting all the good stuff back into it. The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Hydrating Toner is the only one I’ve used for literally years. Really shows what a bang up job I do as a beauty blogger trying new products! It’s just so light on the skin, refreshing, and simple. 

Creams are next and Derma-E’s Hydrating Serum has been my go to for six months or so. A lot of serums leave an annoying film behind that makes me feel like I completely undid all the cleansing work I had just finished. This one is water based so it feels delicate on the skin while hydrating. 

I dab on a bit of IT Cosmetic’s Bye Bye Undereye Eye Cream in the hopes to slow down aging as much as possible. It’s light (are we seeing a pattern here yet?), breathable, and sinks into the skin quickly so I can finish up and hop in bed. 

Depending on the need for moisture and hydration I bounce between two products for the final step. On regular ol’ skincare days I use a bit of the Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins. Thick, rich, and creamy in all the right ways it slowly absorbs into the skin as I try to avoid scrolling through Instagram before going to bed. But if things are seriously dry and painful nothing helps more than the Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. The next morning my skin feels brand new and full of life. It’s has that gorgeous, plump “I drank my weight in water” look that I’m always going for. 

It’s about time I started taking my skincare routine more seriously as the cold, dry weather is headed my way. I’m even considering adding it to my habit tracker in my planner, it’s just that serious.

What are some of your favorite hydrating skincare products? Any recommendations of other toners I should try?

I’ve had a love affair with blush since I was a little girl. Clown cheeks were my specialty during dress up time and I rocked the brightest pink shades. Fortunately for everyone around me, I’ve toned things back a lot since then and have a much lighter hand. Blush still is a favorite in my makeup routine and there are five blushes I gravitate towards more than anything else. 

I’ll throw it back to my younger days with this first blush. Everyone needs that bright pop of pink in their collection. Tarte’s “Fearless” has been my go-to for the perfect flush of pinky goodness. Tarte is the brand I compare all blushes to for quality, pigmentation, and lasting power. They’re just that good.

The IT Cosmetic’s Bye Bye Pores Blush in “Sweet Cheeks” is the newest addition to my collection but instantly became a favorite. It’s unlike any of the other blushes I’ve owned so it had to be included in this roundup. It’s packed full of glitter, but creates this gorgeous iridescent glow on the skin. Slightly on the mauve side, this blush is a fantastic transition from summer to fall makeup as it accentuates whatever tan I managed to get this summer while packing on the dewy radiance. 

Of course another Tarte blush had to be added to the lineup. No shame. “Peaceful” is a much more neutral shade I tend to wear on light makeup days to add a little bit of dimension to my face. It also has bits of glitter in it, but they never translate to the skin. Just a good ol’ fashion peachy blush shade good for all year round.

theBalm’s Frat Boy takes “Peaceful” and injects it with a bit of “Fearless” and probably is my oldest blush. I can’t ever seem to part with it though as it’s still going strong. The best summer peachy shade to add warmth to the skin while looking natural and effortless. It’s oh so good.

Urban Decay’s “Video” blush has been sitting quite on my shelves this summer waiting for its time to shine once fall and winter roll around. It’s the best colder month blush I’ve found for adding color back into my skin without looking too out of place on my pale winter face. It can be worn lightly or really built up to its fullest potential. 

These five blushes cover all the bases, You’ll never be without the perfect shade and your blush collection will thank you for keeping it to a minimum. They’re all incredibly pigmented, long-lasting, and downright gorgeous. Add two or all of them to your collection. Go on, I won’t tell.