Are you a minimalist or a maximalist or neither?
Neither, though by most people’s standards, I’d certainly look like a maximalist, but I move sooo much product out and keep very little these days.
— Christine
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I try to keep most products to a minimum like powders and foundations, but when it comes to eyeshadows and lipsticks I have well more than I will ever need.
A maximalist, for sure. Even though my actual makeup daily look is pretty down to earth, I have a LOT of makeup (and skincare). To the “normal” person, my makeup collection (considering I’m not a makeup artist or even a YouTube blogger, etc.) would seem outrageously large.
I’m in between for lips and eye liner (I’ve got about 20-30 of each), minimalist for foundation/powder/bronzer/brow/mascara (only 1-2 of each), a maximalist for eyeshadows (don’t ask me to count the palettes and singles… probably in the 100s lol and I like it that way), and in between for blushes (I have 15). I like having a huge variety of the colorful fun stuff, but I keep things at a level where I personally can still use and enjoy every product I own. If I started feeling overwhelmed I would downsize, but I feel like I’m doing good with what I’ve got.
Usually a maximalist with makeup application. Since going deep down the makeup rabbit hole 3-4 years ago it now takes me 583 steps to apply an every day makeup look. But I do save fancy things like eyeliner for fancy events.
Since End of Dec I started a new job and only apply face primer -color-bronzer and blush with setting spray. I put on alittle bronzer in the eye crease but no mascara as I get up at 3am for my new job. It’s weird I’d like to do more but not doable.
I’m a minimalist at heart, my goal is to have only what I need. I get overwhelmed with too many choices and I prefer very basic, natural makeup on a daily basis. I only need 1 or 2 shadow toppers for those moments when I’m feeling like I need a little something extra, but otherwise I have 4 shadow singles and those work perfectly for me. My entire makeup collection fits into an Ikea Saxborga case.
I still like to window-shop though, I love talking about makeup and following the trends.
I got my makeup collection in two MUJI trays, those Ikea cases caught my attention. 😁
I totally get you with window shopping. I love having a minimalist makeup / clothing / perfume collection, but I also love exploring shops too see what’s out there. I just don’t feel the need to buy it.
I’m a maximalist with lipsticks and eyeshadows. I prefer a lot of variety to choose from in those areas. I’ve recently picked up more blushes than usual because I bought three blush palettes in the last few months but for years I had just a few blushes, like under 10. With face products like foundation I’m a minimalist – I use the same thing every day. With skincare I have a lot of samples and minis that are fun to try, but I rebuy my core stuff over and over.
Definitely more of a minimalist, in all aspect of life, not just beauty.
I prefer to own less, to have clean clear spaces, having too much stuff causes me decision fatigue and anxiety. Instead of carving time to take care of stuff, I can take care of me.
Having the perfect amount just not to feel deprived works for me. One foundation is enough, but I need 5-6 lipstick options. One pair of black jeans is enough, but I need workout clothes for at least 5-6 days and turtlenecks in black, dark blue and dark red.
I’m only a maximalist when it comes to eyeshadows, try as I might decluttering eyeshadow is impossible for me. So many colors! So many textures! It’s like candy!
For everything else I’m a minimalist. I have one concealer I love, one foundation I love, one mascara I use, you see where I’m going with this. I do have a small smattering of lipsticks, but I also decluttered the bulk of those too. So I have maybe a red, maybe a couple nudes, some pinks. I used to want ALL OF THE MAKEUP!! but stepping back and minimalizing my routine has helped me appreciate what I DO have. And I have lovely things. I don’t need one of each.
We are getting ready sell , stage our house.and move to a new area (our 3rd move in 6 years) so I’m rapidly becoming a minimalist
.(I’m in major Marie Kondo mode)
I’ve edited so much and can still do more., it fells good to purge and create space.
I now need to check for dupes and keep just my favorites .
An unintentional, accidental maximalist? I truly never intended to get to this point where I now have far too much to ever use up even a tenth of what I currently own. Believe it or not; instead of feeling a sense of satisfaction, I feel overwhelmed by it all.
For lip products, maximalist. I had to tell myself NOT to buy a new bullet this week. Eyeshadows, for the most part minimalist, as compared to my lippies. I own 1 blush and 1 foundation. My look is very minimalist, I tend to go for a natural look, but love experimenting with lipstick.
For me, it depends on the makeup product:
Minimalist: Mascara, blush, foundation (now two bottles) and setting powder – I have only one of each opened at a time.
Eyeshadow singles – I own only about 8-10 in shades that I really do use, like Lapis Luxury and SG’s Antique Coin. my City Color three shades in neutral colours.
Maximalist: Lipsticks (although I have decluttered) – about 15-20 of these and I am tossing and/or not replacing many of the ones I have finished. I aim to get my lipstick collection down to about 10.
Eyeshadow palettes: I own a wide variety of these in mostly quads, quints, small and larger palettes. And although I have decluttered a few in recent times, I still own a lot by most people’s standards. But I am really happy with my collection as it stands now.
With skin care, hair care and body care and some make-up products I am definitely a minimalist. With color products, such as eye shadow and lip color I like a lot of variety, but would not say that I am a maximalist though in some cases I have been a bit of a completionist.
A minimalist in every aspect of my life. My mother was one too, so I got it from her. I just don’t like a lot of stuff around. I’m an extreme minimalist with makeup just because I use the same products day in and out. I do have some makeup backups though, eyeshadow, bronzer, lipstick and perfume. But nope my house looks like it’s been robbed of clothes, dishes and ‘stuff’.
I am a minimalist and also a completionist. Once I acquire the set a then pair down to the things I love within it. It is a cycle that’s gotten a bit better with the last couple of years.
I’m definitely a maximalist-I do really badly when my options are limited!
I’m definitely a maximalist-I can’t stand having my choices limited!
This comment thread can be deleted-I had some glitching on my first comment.
I’ve slowed down my make up purchases a lot. I would say in in the middle. I stopped buying eye shadow singles and all of my MAC shadows are depotted and in a MAC pallete which i have 2 ive made. I have a few brands i love however i dont purchase every new drop. I have more eye shadow & lip stick but its not crazy. One drawer in my vanity and all of my palettes & brushes sit organized on top. 2 foundations several concealers many powders about 4 bronzers and 6 blush colors. I enjoy highlighters so i have a nice group mostly Mac extra dimension skin finish and of course Pat McGrath.
Minimalist for everything but red lipstick.
I’ve become an accidental maximalist! I need to pare down my stash to the best of the best formulas but in colors that work for me which I would realistically wear (I love bright turquoise eyeliner but I know I would never wear it). Q: What does everyone do with practically brand new makeup items that they declutter?!
I give it to friends. Also, a good friend of mine works in a salon, and I’ll usually give high-end stuff or items I think to be of good quality to her since they do makeup there. I literally just gave her approx. 50 palettes and a bunch of eyeliner (unused, probably fifty of those as well, tons of primers and lipsticks (I hate lipstick for the most part), and a swath of base products that I’ll never use. I don’t even want to think about how much that all cost me, but she puts it to good use and helps create more of a variety.
I’ve got other friends that sell stuff on Mercari or Poshmark.
I tend to be more of a maximalist, even though I’d really want to own less.
Especially make up and brushes. I’m freelancing as a MUA in my free time, so the stuff I don’t like for myself always finds it’s use for my clients. It doesn’t help that I benefit from pro discounts for a lot of brands.
I am trying to actively downsize everything except for beauty though. Might be a good idea to pick a room and clean out some closets or tackle the attic next weekend.
🤔, both depends on what area : eyeshadow, definitely dramatic and maximalist; clothes, minimal to bummy-causal most days and elegant minimalist with a flair when dressing up for an occasion (rare nowadays); and maximalist if it has anything to do with information and books ( I want it all! 🤣😜)