How to organize your makeup collection: a simple inventory system that sticks
A drawer full of makeup doesn’t mean you know what you have. A simple inventory — sorted, decluttered and written down — saves money, space and a lot of “I already own this shade?” moments.
Why bother with a makeup inventory
Most of us use a handful of products every day and forget the rest. The forgotten ones expire unused, and we buy the same concealer twice because the first one is buried somewhere. An inventory fixes three things at once: you see what you own, you know what’s about to expire, and you shop with a list instead of a hunch.
Step 1. Take everything out and sort it by category
Gather makeup from every bag, drawer and shelf and group it: face (foundation, concealer, powder), cheeks, eyes, brows, lips, skincare, tools. Seeing all your lipsticks in one place is usually the moment people realize they own nine nudes.
Step 2. Declutter: expired, broken and never used
- Toss anything past its PAO or best-before date, and anything that smells or looks off — see our guide to makeup expiry dates.
- Let go of shades that don’t suit you and formulas you never reach for.
- Unopened products you won’t use can go to a friend.
Step 3. Record what’s left
For each product, note:
- name, brand and category;
- shade, if it matters;
- the opening date and PAO, or the expiry date from the packaging;
- a photo — it makes searching much faster;
- whether it’s a limited edition you can’t rebuy.
A spreadsheet works, but it’s tedious on a phone and won’t remind you of anything. A dedicated app lets you snap a photo, pick a category and get expiry reminders without extra effort.
Step 4. Store by how often you use it
Keep everyday products in one small bag or tray. Everything else goes into labeled boxes or drawers by category, away from heat and humidity. If a product hasn’t left storage in three months, ask yourself if it should stay.
Step 5. Review once a month
Five minutes is enough: check what expires soon and move it to the front, finish what’s nearly empty, and note what you actually need. That’s your shopping list.
Keep it all in your pocket
Beauty B#tch was built for exactly this routine: products sorted by category, search by name or brand, several photos per product, a limited-edition flag, expiry reminders, and stats on what’s in your bag. Your data stays on your iPhone and in your iCloud, and the full version is a one-time purchase.
Read next: how to buy less makeup and use up what you have.
FAQ
How do I keep track of my makeup?
Sort it by category, declutter expired items, then record each product with its brand, category, photo and opening date — in a spreadsheet or, more easily, in a makeup inventory app with expiry reminders.
How often should I declutter my makeup?
A big clear-out once or twice a year, plus a five-minute monthly check for products that are about to expire.
Where should I store makeup?
Somewhere cool, dry and dark, like a drawer. Bathrooms get warm and humid, which shortens shelf life.