I'm Cleaning Out My Beauty Drawer for 2021—Here's What I'm Keeping and Ditching

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(Image credit: @allisonmcnamara )

There's nothing quite like a good beauty drawer clean out—especially if you're like me and tend to hoard hundreds of products. A certain joie de vivre comes with cleaning out your beauty drawer, as it overwhelms you with satisfaction and brings a moment of rebirth. Perhaps it is the act of tossing old, used products or deeming some beauty splurges as must-haves and repeat products, but freshening up your beauty drawer and introducing organization to inevitable clutter will leave behind a sense of order and empowerment. Maybe it's just me—yes, I am beauty-product obsessed—but the second I am done with a clean out, I feel like I am ready to conquer my day. 

While the end product of a beauty drawer cleanse is fulfilling, finding where to begin can hinder you from even starting. From seasonal skincare essentials and new beauty buys to irreplaceable items, it's difficult to decipher which products are in and which ones are out. Fortunately, I assess my beauty closet almost every month or so to ensure I am only keeping formulas I'm consistently using (or my boyfriend is secretly taking) and ditching those who expired or simply not worked for my skin. And I'm here to confirm that you can do it, too. Keep scrolling to discover the beauty products that almost always make the cut each round and which products I am bidding a farewell to start the New Year on a fresh note.

Makeup

Keeping: Tinted Moisturizer

Ditching: Liquid Foundation

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(Image credit: @adriennefaurote)

I have learned one invaluable lesson this year: When it comes to makeup and skincare regimens, less is always more. And especially with my recent move down to Miami, I am all about a tinted moisturizer that doesn't feel as heavy as a liquid foundation yet provides that same matte coverage my skin needs. 

Keeping: Translucent Setting Powder 

Ditching: Setting Mist 

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(Image credit: @claire_most)

I have to be honest: I never fully got onto the setting-mist train. It was one of those beauty products I just used to use without seeing drastic results. Therefore, it's officially time to ditch it and commit to just the translucent setting powder. My skin errs on the combination side—both oily and dry yet normal—so having an added layer of setting powder helps to keep my face looking matte and fresh. 

Keeping: Tinted Eyebrow Gel Ditching: Bold Eyebrow Pencils

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(Image credit: @cassdimicco)

Oftentimes, my eyebrows cannot be tamed. I'm one who rarely gets them done (yes, I like the unruly look), but will always make it a point to, at the very least, brush them every morning. Pre-quarantine life, I used both a brow gel and eyebrow pencil to perfect my eyebrows and fill them in, however, now, I'm all about efficiency. Through tinted eyebrow gel, I'm able to comb, tame, and fill in my brows in just one pass.

Keeping: Specific Makeup Brushes Ditching: Multipurpose Makeup Brushes 

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(Image credit: @dawn.tan)

I am filing this under a makeup decision I never knew I needed to make. Once I began designating certain makeup brushes for specific areas, my makeup experience was instantly enhanced. Was I using my eye shadow brush on my cheeks? No. But I was tending to use the same brush for concealer as I was for foundation and powders. Or the same brush for both blush and bronzer, and so on. As you assign makeup brushes to have only one duty, it completely changes the way your makeup is applied and how long it lasts. 

Keeping: Bronzer Ditching: Most Eye Shadow Palettes

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(Image credit: @tylynnnguyen)

I believe Kendall Jenner released a makeup tutorial video and revealed that she used her bronzer as an eye shadow, so naturally, I had to try it. It's safe to say I've officially converted to the bronzer-as–eye-shadow side. The warm colors of a bronzer compliment my green eyes and add a sunkissed look year-round. 

Skincare

Keeping: Oil-Based CleansersDitching: Intense Clarifying Cleansers

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(Image credit: @joannacoops)

There is a common misconception that oil-based skincare products—whether it be a serum or cleanser—will cause acne breakouts. As one with combination skin that definitely skews more oily in my T-zone, I am here to say that is highly false. Oil-based cleansers actually work to balance your natural oil production, without stripping the skin. What actually causes excessive oil production and breakouts is actually intense clarifying cleansers as they strip and expose the skin. The truth is out. 

Keeping: Refreshing Facial MistsDitching: Water-Based Toners

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(Image credit: @cassandra.cadwell)

While we all love a refreshing face mist, I'm getting even more particular about what exactly is in the face mist. With all of the new, innovative face mists on the market enhanced with nourishing ingredients, I am bidding farewell to water based toners. 

Keeping: Hyaluronic Acid SerumsDitching: Brightening Serums 

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(Image credit: @itsheymorgan)

As previously mentioned, hyaluronic acid is the holy grail when it comes to hydrating your skin. Perfect for year-round application—especially in the drier winter months—hyaluronic acid will replenish the skin's moisture and leave a bright, dewy glow 24/7. So why ditch the brightening creams? Often, brightening creams are made with a small percentage of hyaluronic acid, so instead of using a small percentage, I'd rather keep it simple and use a highly concentrated hyaluronic acid. 

Keeping: Lip OilDitching: Chapstick

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(Image credit: @iamdodos_style)

Lip oils are the epitome of efficiency. They offer the same hydration and moisture that chapstick does while giving the same shine effect of a gloss—a product that truly does it all. And though I am loyal to my Aquaphor chapstick, I have observed over the last several weeks that I am opting for a lip oil over the said chapstick. 

Haircare

Keeping: Hair ClipsDitching: Hair Rubberbands

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(Image credit: @isabellecoheen)

I will admit, working from home is the best thing that has happened to my hair. I can't remember the last time I used a hot tool on my hair, I use a hair mask almost three times a week, and I've bid farewell to sleek ponytails that pulled tight on my hair with hair elastics. Enter the hair clip. It's an incredibly chic and functional hair accessory that not only looks good but does your hair health good.

Keeping: Shampoo BarsDitching: Liquid Shampoos

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(Image credit: @kat.shearer)

I've officially traded my liquid shampoos for a more sustainable option à la shampoo bars. Despite the common belief that they don't clean as thoroughly, shampoo bars actually leave my hair feeling clean, smooth, and with a luxurious shine. Expert tip: Purchase a soap dish along with your shampoo bar to have something to place it on between uses.

Freelance Editor