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Makeup Curation: What is It and How To Do It

The beauty industry presents a variety of products because of the numerous cosmetic brands available in the market. With just a couple of clicks away, we can easily get updates on our favorite makeup brands, get influenced by the latest makeup trends, and buy the makeup products that caught our attention.
Sure, there’s nothing wrong with owning different shades of lipsticks, drawers full of makeup brushes, or dozens of eyeshadow palettes. However, if you don’t intend to use them, then what’s the purpose of owning them? That being said, curating your own makeup kit is a must if you want to be smart in buying makeup products.
In this article, we will delve into the tips and tricks to start curating your own makeup collection.
Really, What is Makeup Curation?
Makeup curation is the process of selecting makeup products and organizing your makeup kit based on what you need. It is a lifestyle that promotes sustainability and minimalism while also saving money.
Here are 4 simple steps that will help you understand how makeup curation works and how you can curate one.
Steps in Curating Your Own Makeup Collection
Curating your own makeup is a personal process that helps you define the products that are essential in your makeup routine. If you want to start curating your own makeup collection, here are 4 simple steps that you can consider:
Step 1: Create Your Own Makeup Inventory
A makeup inventory is a spreadsheet that you can use to get a good overview of the products you have in your stash. Your inventory should at least contain the brand, product category, product name, and price. You can also customize the sheet depending on your likings, such as photos, descriptions, or other things that should be taken note of.
Since makeup curation is a personal process, don’t be shy to personalize your inventory and consider what works for you the most.
Step 2: Declutter (or Donate) Your Makeup Collection
Once you’ve finished creating your makeup inventory, you probably have an idea of what makeup products you should keep or declutter.
If you are still clueless as to what you need to remove from your kit, sort the products by separating the items you don’t use, products you don’t like anymore, and products that are expired.
To know whether the product is already expired, you can check its smell, texture, performance, or simply, its expiration date.
While you are decluttering, you can also identify what needs to stay with these questions:
- What’s good about this product?
- Did I like it the last time I used it?
- How often do I use this product?
- Do I see myself using this product again?
- Do I have a similar product that I use more often?
Decluttering doesn’t necessarily mean that you will throw the products in the trash. If it is still brand new or in good condition, you can give them to your friends or family as a gift or donate it.
Step 3: Organize your Makeup Collection
If you have a large makeup collection, it is important to organize your makeup according to its use.
Start by sorting the products according to how you use them. You can also purchase organizers or boxes to properly arrange the items.
Once your makeup collection is organized, you can save not only the space in your room but also the time spent doing your makeup since you don’t have to go around your collection to look for the product that you want to use.
Keep in mind that you don’t need to have an expensive vanity table to have an organized makeup collection. Instead, find a way that works well for you and the space you have in your room.
Step 4: Think Before You Buy
This is the most important step in curating your makeup kit, especially for those who just started collecting makeup products. Start making more mindful purchases, or if possible, buy fewer cosmetic products.
Delayed gratification is one of the important pieces of advice for consumers, especially online buyers. This is a practice that advises you to think about purchasing a product for at least a week. If you still want to buy it after a week, then that’s when you can do so.
Remember to always hold your horses and think before you buy. Ask yourself if you really need it, if you already have something similar, and the reason why you want it.
Why is It Important to Curate Your Makeup Collection?
There are various reasons why you should curate your makeup collection. Like I’ve said before, it helps you save time, money, and space.
Saves Time
Through makeup curation, you can easily reach the products and use them anytime you want. You won’t have to spend time looking for a certain item since it will be more accessible after curating your collection.
Saves Money
Curating your own collection will help you realize which products are essential to your routine. It will drive you to become more practical in buying cosmetic products as you know exactly what you need.
Saves Space
Organizing and decluttering your makeup collection can help you manage your space effectively.
Having a disorganized collection can leave other makeup products unused and eventually expired. This is why makeup waste is a huge problem in our environment.
Final Note

As the old saying goes, less is more. We don’t need to have a huge makeup collection to achieve various makeup looks suitable for any occasion. You can do so much more with just essential cosmetic products.
Remember, it’s not important to have a lot of makeup, but rather, it is better to have a few yet sustainable pieces in your stash.
Learn healthy spending habits and get your money’s worth by curating your own makeup collection.
Do you want to learn more about beauty and wellness? Keep reading the guides on Pretty Me!

Chrizelle is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication from De La Salle University. She recently dropped out of law school to pursue her passion for writing. Now, she is a full-time writer hoping to inspire and change lives through her thoughts and her words.