I think that the “number” varies from person to person. Some people like a more minimalist approach to makeup and others enjoy a large stash with tons of options. As long as one can afford to purchase the products that they do without harming others, it’s probably not my business to make a judgment whether that’s too much (or too little).
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I tend to get annoyed with myself when I realize I have tons of dupes laying around, or just too many brown eye shadows, or products I totally forgot I owned and have neglected for a while because I have so many other things. But I like a certain amount of variety. Even if one doesn’t use all the products they own, makeup can still be a “collection.”
There is, definitely, but the limit is for every person to define for themselves. I feel like I have too much at the moment: so much that I forget about products I just bought, and that I sometimes don’t use a product more than a couple times before I need to toss it (for gloss particularly).
I think definitely yes, but it depends on the person. What’s too much for me wouldn’t be too much for someone else. My feeling is that if I don’t remember what I have and where it all is, I have too much. If I’m stressed or disappointed that I have too many dupes, it’s too much. If things expire or go bad before I can use them, it’s too much.
I definitely have too much for me, but usually in specific categories. Like, I have 19 lipsticks, when an ideal number for me would really be 8 or 10. I have nine blushes, which is, again, too much for me. I think four or five would be a better number.
I am on a no-buy for the year and although I have not been perfect at all (I like my seven new eyeshadow singles though….whoops) my buying has definitely decreased pretty dramatically this year as compared to the last couple. I want to get my collection down to a point where I am using things up quickly enough that I can buy and enjoy new things without feeling guilty about overconsumption.
This is my own personal goal for me and does not reflect anyone else.
For me, yes. For others: it is none of my business.
I prune the stash routinely. I enjoy variety, but I don’t like waste. I have a couple of avenues for stash reduction; people who love my untouched samples or even products which have been lightly used and cleaned.
A few years ago, I bought a product at Sephora during the Spring sale and bought the exact same thing at the Fall sale. When I realized it, and knew I had to return it, I schlunked into Sephora and admitted my mistake. The cashier smiled at me and said, “We’ve all done that at least once.”
Seriously, though, I regret all the products I bought on a whim and didn’t use. I had to come to an understanding with myself about makeup: As much as I love it, there’s a time when enough is enough. I found my ‘enough’. Everyone’s different — too much may be too little to someone else, and visa versa.
Yes. I’ve come to the conclusion I do, indeed, have way too much. Does that mean I won’t buy any more? No. I will, however, be far more discriminating when it comes to any purchases in the near future. For me, that means absolutely no more lip products, foundation, concealer, eye liner, brow products, mascara, or any other cream/liquid products until I actually *need* to replace something.
As for everything else, it really needs to fill a legitimate void in my stash, or be for “collection” purposes (ie, LE eyeshadow palettes from a handful of brands), or something that’s already on my “list” (I have a few products I’ve been contemplating for a while).
It really depends on the person, because if it makes someone happy to own tons of makeup, then there’s nothing wrong with it (as long as it’s not affecting their ability to buy food and pay bills). Right now, I think I have too much makeup because I have so much I don’t use. And yet I keep buying because I love it!!!
When I initially read this question before I read any answers, I thought it was asking opinions on if a person can wear too much makeup!
You are not the only one! I totally misunderstood the question at first too
That’s what I thought, too.
I wish I had better self control when it comes to makeup. I don’t seem to have a definable level of “too much”. I have over 200 lipsticks. I am starting a purge of all of my makeup next week as I am redoing my makeup set up. No one needs over 200 lipsticks and it is staggering how many are in variations of just two shades: red and berry. The good news is that my daughter and her friends are going to hit the jackpot. My answer is no for me personally but I am working on it. I have no say in anyone else’s makeup collection and would only be throwing stones from a glass house, LOL.
I am honestly happier living in denial about the exact number, but I am a lipstick collector too. Red-berry-plum make up the bulk of mine as well, but I also have a bunch of funky lip tar colors and “work” colors from an old office job in the mix. I try to remind myself that other people literally don’t realize I’m wearing a different lipstick from the last time I wore burgundy but the nuances are so interesting and important to my eye! lol
It doesn’t help that make up expires with age. The stress of trying to use all my makeup before I have to throw it out!
And my twin sister thinks that I have too many lipsticks (around 30)!
But I know what you mean – I have lots and lots of shades in cinnamon, berry, red and ginger – but mostly in the coppery shades. And you can have too many of the one colour.
Yes, I know I have a problem and I am working on it! I have actually been to Sephora and Ulta and not purchased a single lip product which for me is unheard of. In my defense, I have purchased quite a number of lipsticks that I loved the color but got home and didn’t love the formula. I have major lip lines as I have gotten older (young women stop smoking and don’t use a straw) and some lipsticks just bleed no matter what you do. Or they wear off funny or they don’t last 5 minutes so that is what is prompting me to do a major purge next week. I want to get down to a workable number and have them all be colors I like and look good in plus the formula works for me. Show your sister my response and maybe she will cut you some slack, LOL.
Yes, Deborah – I have many lipsticks that don’t last longer than 5 minutes either Grrr. I am about to do a purge on my lipsticks as well.
For me there is such a thing, and I have reached it. The size of my stash is unruly for my level of disorganization, and I have so many wonderful options that favorite things go forgotten about. I’m basically at peace about my blush and eyeshadow, only have one mascara and one full sized base. I do have three concealers, but they ARE for different things and do get used. It’s the lipsticks. I love them all (not equally lol) but there’s literally not enough of me to go around. If there were three or four of me, it might be a reasonable number of lipsticks to own.
Yes, but that is very personal. For me too much akeup means having so much that I forget favorites and let products go to waste because there are too many options. But where the line is drawn is up to each and every individual.
As Christine, everyone does what he wants. Of course, it should not endanger one’s financial situation.. Other than that… You do you. We all have a hobby.
I do have too much in the sense that I won’t finish up every product before they expire but it is not excessive either. I focus on enjoying the process of applying make up, using my favourite products more often than not.
I think I may have too much. It’s a bit frightening when I actually stop for a moment and consider just how *much* of my time, energy, and money I’ve invested into this particular segment of my life. Also, space within my not very big bedroom! A 3 drawer Sterlite container, one entire drawer in my fall chest, nearly the entire top of my low, long dresser, including acrylic storage filled to max, also, my sock drawer has been taken over by a ton of eyeshadow palettes! I’m seriously considering a No-Buy for 2018. With just mascara, liner and other basic skincare and base products. Detox and support desperately needed!!!
Nancy, you – a no buy for a WHOLE year? Are you feeling well?
LMAO!
Agree! I’m with you!
I’m wit’ ya’. I have also mulled over the idea of a no-buy for all of next year (other than base/replacement products). We should start a support group. 🙂
We really should, Alecto! We’re probably not the only ones, either!
I’ll join the group too! I would like to minimise my makeup purchases as well!
Oh when i read the question i thought i was too much makeup on the face . I think it’s too much when the person feels overwhelmed .
Truth. If something that once brought you pleasure now stresses you out or puts you in “I don’t want to think about it” mode, then it’s definitely too much.
It’s definitely different for everyone!
I’m pretty happy with it now, I’m right at a level I like. I think I have too many lipsticks for how often I wear it, so I’m going to bite the bullet and toss/gift some. From now on I really want to only a) replace a finished product, b) fill in a gap of a shade I have nothing like (although shades I like that I don’t own are rare), or c) buy only if it’s a revolutionary formula (maybe a game-changing foundation). I’m also hoping to do a spreadsheet of all my stuff and rotate through it all once, so I can see what I still love and what I don’t.
I think lip products are a weakness for me because they seem so transient; I could wear three different bullet lipsticks in a day if I switched at each reapplication. Blush and highlighter is a huge weakness but I don’t feel as guilty because it’s my biggest makeup love and I do wear every single one I own regularly! I only have like two bronzers, and one foundation for each coverage level/finish, which I think is reasonable. I have a sheer, a light, a medium satin/dewy, a medium matte, and a full coverage. That might be a lot for some but I get use out of all of them.
My collection fits into two drawers of my bedside table. If it gets beyond that, it’s time to reevaluate.
I have too much brown eye shadow. It’s too much because it doesn’t give me any pleasure.
Well said.
I’m finding that for myself, yes there is. I don’t know that I’ll ever get to all that I have, but I find that comforting and I like being spoiled for choice, anyway. As long as it’s organized, it’s a pleasure to see it all and shop what I have for my weekly look. It’s when it’s untidy or it’s been a few weeks since I’ve put everything back in it’s spot and it looks unruly and overwhelming that I’m shaking my head, wondering why I just had to get xxx or xxx.
I agree that is for each person to decide for themselves. I know I bought much less this year than the last few, because I have so much, and I’m just not finding as much that I want or need. I didn’t make Sephora VIP Rouge or even come close to Ulta Platinum this year, which I’m weirdly proud of. What I have bought has been more indie brand, as they have more interesting colors and finishes that I’m not likely to own. I’m planning on spending even less in 2018.
I, too, find myself buying less and less makeup, apart from staples. Mainly because I have so much and the shades this year in the palettes have just not been for me. I can’t do pinks/reds/oranges or purples that well.
So I haven’t really needed that much either.
Going with indie brands is a great idea Rachel, because you are supporting a local, small industry and they often put out some really unique colours and finishes.
By the way, I have purchased the Elf foundation that you use in porcelain, because you have so often mentioned it and I thought, if you use it, ithen it must be pretty darn good.
I hope the foundation works for you, Genevieve. Let me know how you like it.
Thanks Rachel, I am sure I will. I just have to use up a couple of foundations before I open this one. The shade looks right.
For myself, definitely. It took me ages to learn that it is much more cost effective and space saving to request a few samples of luxe foundation and purchase one very good one that is perfectly matched to my skin, than buy a ton of cheap or mid priced full size items that never quite do the job.
In all honesty, hand on heart, all of us here probably do have too much makeup, or too much of a certain kind of makeup.
I know I own way, way too many eyeshadow quads, quints, palettes etc. and I do rotate them so they all get some love.
And I know I own far too many lipsticks too – but they are such a wonderful little pick me up treat that I can never really, truly resist.
But I am a very good girl with mascaras, blushes, highlighters and mostly foundations, using only one or two at a time.
There is! I mean I love makeup and get suckered into buying this or that and have way more than I’ll use in a lifetime time. But I am trying use up certain things up so my stash is more manageable. Mascaras do dry up and liquids go bad. I only need one or two mascaras. One or two foundations, powders and concealers. I cannot be helped with lipstick, eyeshadows and blush though:)
For me, yes – I’m three months into a one year no-buy as I feel overwhelmed by my stash. Too many items are completely forgotten about because they’re buried under a ton of other makeup. I’ve depotted my favourite eye shadows and blush into one handy palette, so I don’t have to waste time looking for the right product, and I’ve donated new/nearly new items to a womens’ refuge. At least that way they won’t go to waste.
For me, personally, the answer is “Yes” and I feel I hit that point a few years ago but that hasn’t stopped me buying more. But as I’ve said so often here in past, I often am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of “stuff” I have and end up resorting to using the “same old/same old” or, if I decide to pull out something I’ve not used for a while, unless I get it out and put it on my counter the night before, I forget about my intention to use it.
“Too much” definitely varies for every person and their needs. As long as their makeup habits aren’t hurting anyone, I say let ’em live.
I know I personally have too much, especially for a generally house-bound person who has limited instances where I can actually show off my makeup to the outside world. There are times I like to feel pretty, or need to feel productive in some small way, so I’ll just wear it around the house. But no, I don’t need 70 lip products (that seems to be my weakness) and the corresponding liners for most, heh. A lot of them are funky shades, though, and I’m fairly certain I have no dupes (at least not formula-wise. I may have two similar matte reds but one will be a traditional bullet and the other will be a liquid lip.) I also have a lot of nail polish (about 60 of those – but they’re all very different colors and finishes.) And I probably have too much eyeshadow (not sure about dupes there.) Everything else I’m pretty good with, though: a handful of blushes in very different shades, three foundations (different shades for different seasons), one loose powder, I only ever seem to work out of sample-sized mascaras these days because I wear it so rarely that it isn’t worth it to buy full sizes (they’ll just dry out.)
I keep a spreadsheet of my lip product + liner pairs so I can refer to it at a glance. I also have a swatch sheet of my nail polish so I can pick a color quickly.
I need to work on a more appropriate storage solution for everything because right now most of my makeup is in bags on my desk (the eye palettes are in a nightstand drawer.) The nail polish is probably the only thing nicely organized by color on an acrylic rack. I would love for everything to be in one convenient, central location where I can *see* it all and ultimately use it. I think everyone’s trusty 5-drawer Alex may be too large though (both for my space and collection size), but perhaps the Helmer will work.
I would say I have a little bit too much for me right now. I don’t like the idea that I have so much makeup that it would go bad before I can use it up. My philosophy is that makeup is something to use on your face not just to look at so for me having the ability to use it is paramount. For others I don’t care, unless it’s to the point in which there are bills being unpaid or certain life goals they can’t get to because too much of their money is being tied up in makeup. In that case then it might call for an intervention. In general though I feel that most people probably have less than the typical beauty guru so my collection is probably still considered small.
Personally, I think there is, but I also think I’m deep into that category myself, so I won’t be throwing any stones.
I wanted to follow up on this, as this hits on something I’ve been thinking about for a long time: I used to be a fairly productive artist (drawing and painting), even though I’ve always had a full-time job, but about three years ago, I moved to another company and, while I love my job, it has taken over my life; I work 12-14 hour days, and spend every weekend scrambling to catch up on personal stuff I didn’t have time for during the week.
My art has essentially stopped. I honestly believe that most of the “oooooh … look at all the pretty colors” responses (and my desire to do something completely different with my face every day), stem from artistic frustration. I have too much makeup (that I’m using), in the same way I have too many art supplies (that I’m not using). I look at my lipsticks and eyeshadows and I know with absolute certainty that some part of my brain is seeing inks, gouche, and pastels.
I’d like to channel the energy from one back to the other, but the time commitment for each is too different — it isn’t apples to apples. Still working on a solution.
I hope you find your way back to your art very soon.