How to overhaul your makeup

Clearing things out is not my forte, actually I fall into the category of the worlds worst hoarder. It's something that drives me mad, how I wish I could be more ruthless and get rid of things that I no longer use. My wardrobe bulges with clothes that I have never worn, or worse still have convinced myself that one day I will fit back into. Why do I feel such an attachment to them? They don't hold sentimental value but the thought of getting rid of them is incredibly difficult. 

I have yet to give into the hype and start reading Marie Kondo's - 'The Life Changing Magic of Tidying' for fear that it will be another book that clogs up the shelves but doesn't change any of my bad habits! Or maybe it is the fear that it actually might change my ways and make me tidy. Has anyone read it? Has it helped?

Unfortunately my makeup bag is no different, I have makeup squirrelled away from years ago. In some cases when I was a teenager! Some bits I use regularly and other bits have been sitting there collecting dust and taking up space. For the most part I have my favourites that I use time and time again. 

• Benefit Erase paste 
• Benefit 'That Gal' Primer
• Benefit High Beam 
• Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick 

Due to the frequency that I use these makeup items they get replaced fairly regularly, other items however have been in my makeup bags for years with long since passed expiration dates and in some cases have gone off. 

So this month I decided enough was enough. I went for a massive clear out getting rid of anything that I don't use and items that have gone out of date. If like me you were unsure what makeup goes off here's a quick list.

• Mascaras - last for three months. I simply won't tell you how long I have had some of mine. The reason to replace them is they collect bacteria and then your putting them near your eyes. Yuck!
• Cream makeup (BB creams, cream foundation, cream compacts) - six months. 
• Liquid foundations, concealer and lipsticks last about a year. 
• Powders - face and eye shadows generally will keep for up to two years.

Tidying up was actually very therapeutic throwing away makeup that I no longer use has left me with very little makeup and a great excuse to be able to update it and buy some new bits.

As a new mum finding time to do my makeup is a luxury, so anything that is quick gets my vote. 

The new Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look In A Pallet - 5 minute face on the go (£49). 

With its colour correcting magic this palette works naturally to enhance your own beauty. It includes seven makeups:

Eye Brighten, Eye Enhance, Eye Smoke, Face Bronzer, Cheek Swish, Cheek Pop, Face Highlighter.

This was a great purchase, it's so easy to use and I will most definitely be repurchasing. 

Charlotte Tilbury Film Star Bronze and Glow (£49). First of all I have to take a minute for the beautiful rose gold packaging. Charlotte really does know how to package makeup in a luxury vintage design. 

I have always steered clear of bronzer for fear that rather than looking sculpted and highlighted I would look like an Oompa Loompa. I shouldn't have worried this is contouring made easy, the contour is build-able so you can have as little or as much as you want. The highlighter adds a beautiful candle lite tones to cheeks. A little of both products goes a long way so this will last ages. 

Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick Penelope Pink (£23) - The Kissing range is Charlotte's signature collection of 10 lipsticks from nudes to reds.

The colour and texture of this lipstick is lovely. The pigment lasts and I can easily wear it for the day and it transitions for night. The best bit for me is it's enriched with anti-oxidants that naturally protect from UV damage. As someone allergic to sunlight this is definitely a plus point. 

Hourglass - Ambient Lighting Palette (£59). 

Having dry skin it can be difficult to find a powder that doesn't take moisturiser out of my skin. The Ambient Palette has a trio of powders in incandescent, dim and radiant light. These powders are beautiful they go on easily and are so versatile. I have so far used them as setting powers, highlighters and eye shadows. The only thing I would say is that they are very shimmery so if you don't like glittery makeup then this one maybe isn't for you. 

I'm really happy with my new makeup purchases, they are long overdue but have definitely been worth the wait. 

Are you a makeup hoarder? Has this post inspired you to want to have a clear out? If you have any good tips or advice on being a minimalist share it in the comments below.