

My hoarding tendencies are never more evident than when you peek inside my overstuffed makeup bag or try to close my medicine cabinet. I work in a business where products literally show up on my desk day in and day out (I know, hard life, right?), which means I have a perpetual impulse to take them home and add to a steadily growing collection. And I always indulge it.
But the other day, I finally reached my breaking point. It wasn't just a messiness thing...it was like having all this stuff around, some of which I used but most of which I didn't, was starting to stress me out.
I knew it wasn't just going to be a matter of straightening up—I'd have to seriously whip my stash into shape. Having recently become privy to Japanese spick-and-span expert Marie Kondo's life-changing KonMari method for decluttering, which she lays out her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I knew I had found a hard-and-fast guide for cutting down. Here, the 5 KonMari steps that took me from stockpiling everything I could get my hands to concentrating my energy on the tried-and-true products that get me through the day.
In the context of beauty supply, what I wanted was a neat-looking space that's super streamlined. I don't want to have to dig through piles and piles of product only to not be able to find the single black eyeliner pencil I rely on every single day.
While I firmly believe that binging on Netflix is zen in its own right, and definitely makes a tedious job less so, Kondo believes that TV and music can be distracting while you're going through your objects. So as much as it pained me, I made sure to get my zen on without the "noise" by simply lighting a lavender candle and devoting 100% of my attention to the job.
Kondo's philosophy really kicks into gear when she asks you to "declutter, then store" by laying everything out, going through every single item, and questioning whether these items "spark joy." As a beauty writer tending to her skin and hair, this can be tricky as even though I'm not in the daily habit of wearing bright tangerine lipstick or lathering my face with exfoliating coffee ground scrub, knowing that I have these options (and hundreds more) does, in fact, bring me joy.
So, instead of doing an out-and-out keep or toss, I broke it down like this: If it could reasonably bring me joy today, I kept it in my main stash, the one that gets the precious real estate that is my dresser top or adjacent to my bathroom sink. If it could bring me joy in the future (or I'd need it in the near future as part of my job), I stored it away neatly in boxes in my closet. If I was certain, in realistic terms, that a product or tool *wouldn't* ever bring me joy, I gave it the official boot AKA it was up for grabs for friends and family or would be donated.
As a hoarder, the notion of using something "someday" because we might use it is pervasive, but harmful to this process. To ensure it didn't get the best of me during my KonMari session, I re-assessed some of the "keeps" I had a mental attachment to by looking at when and why I got it in the first place. This really put how long I've held on to things (ahem, 3-year-old mascara) and why (because, er, lashes?) into perspective.
Even for an utter beauty worshiper, this takes things a step further. According to the KonMari ideology, you should treat your possessions as if they're alive—even by talking to them. To reassure my peers that I'm sane, I didn't talk to my makeup, skincare, and hair products aloud, but telepathically thanked La Mer for helping me achieve attempt to get J. Lo's glow or my felt-tip eyeliner pen for simplifying the ever-challenging cat eye process. To me, this also meant keeping my newly minted, streamlined beauty station immaculate and treating each individual item with a newborn-like safekeeping. No more leaving the cap unscrewed, okay?
I've dedicated a single tray (the rest is safely stored) to all of my post-KonMari, day-to-day essentials (22 in total, to be exact) and it's a welcome lifestyle change. I not only have everything I need in one place, at arm's length, but I am also reminded of every single necessary step of the beautification process. Meaning, I'll never *forget* all the layers of my skincare regimen or forget how important masking is—not when these products are staring me straight in the face.
I’m the associate web editor at Marie Claire. I love to while away the hours at coffee shops, hunt for vintage clothes, and bask in the rough-and-tumble beauty of NYC. I firmly believe that solitude can be a luxury if you’ve got the right soundtrack—that being the Rolling Stones, of course.
-
Charlotte Tilbury Is Honoring the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee With a "Timeless" Limited-Edition Collection
You can already scoop up a few pieces from the royal-inspired set.
By Samantha Holender
-
Fashion Brands That Recycle, Resell, or Upcycle Your Old Clothes
Here's what to do with your unwanted pieces.
By Rachael Noll
-
What I Wear to Work: Emily Tisch Sussman
The podcast host of 'She Pivots' embraces brights, patterns, and pieces from her past.
By Sara Holzman
-
Experts Explain How to Make Your Bikini Wax Less Painful
It all starts with preparation.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 26 Best Sunscreens Ever for Your Face and Body
Formulas to stock up on, stat.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 10 Best Supplements for Skin to Add to Your Daily Routine
From glow-boosting gummies to acne-fighting pills.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 18 Best Mascaras, According to Marie Claire Editors
"It feels like I've been searching for the perfect mascara since birth, but I think I've finally landed on a keeper..."
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 50 Best Hairstyles for Thin, Fine Hair That Never Fall Flat
Fake-it-'til-you-make-it volume.
By Tatjana Freund
-
The 10 Best Eyeshadows for Darker Skin Tones That Will Make Your Eyes Pop
Palettes, pigments, and shimmers with incredible color payoff.
By Taylore Glynn
-
The Andie MacDowell Renaissance Is Upon Us
The '90s icon has always done things her own way. Now, the world is finally catching up to her.
By Sara Stewart
-
The 14 Best LED Light Therapy Face Masks Worth Every Penny
Masking at home: So hot rn.
By Taylore Glynn