Let me be honest with you, beauty bestie.
There was a point where I couldn’t look at my makeup collection without feeling completely overwhelmed—by guilt, by regret, and by the sheer volume of products I had accumulated. The moment I realized I had spent so much money on makeup I barely used, I went into panic mode. So, I did what many of us do when we feel out of control: I went cold turkey.
I told myself, “No more makeup. Not a single purchase.”
And for a while, that worked…until it didn’t.
When I finally gave in and made a purchase, I swung wildly in the other direction. I overspent. Again. On products I didn’t need or even particularly love. It was like trying to fix overeating with starvation—it just led to more chaos.
Through that cycle, I learned one very important thing:
It’s okay to love makeup.
It’s okay to buy it, play with it, and even get excited about it—as long as I’m intentional. Now, I set a budget and give myself permission to enjoy new items when they truly add value to my collection.
Panning Just to Pan? Been There.
Another mistake I made? Panning makeup just to say I hit pan.
I’d force myself to use a product every day—even when I didn’t love it—just to get that satisfying little silver circle in the middle. But instead of feeling accomplished, I felt drained. It was like eating the same slice of pizza for every meal. Sure, I love pizza… but that doesn’t mean I want it every single day.
I stopped enjoying my makeup. I was punishing myself with it.
And the worst part? I ended up hating products I once liked—not because they were bad, but because I forced myself to use them without variety or joy. Some products I never touched again.
Now, I’ve shifted my mindset.
Some items I want to use consistently until I hit pan, while others I rotate and use organically over time. If it takes me six months—or even a year—to pan something, that’s okay. My makeup should bring me joy, not guilt.
The Power of a Makeup Tray
For the longest time, I didn’t use a makeup tray. And honestly? That was a huge barrier.
I had every intention of using certain products, but because they weren’t visible, they’d get buried and forgotten.
These days, I curate a makeup tray for the week (or two). I think about what I have coming up—office days, virtual calls, date nights, brunches—and choose products that reflect those events.
Having a system lets me rotate my stash without getting bored. It also keeps me from mindlessly reaching for the same thing every day. My collection finally feels like a boutique—one I’m shopping intentionally from.
Stop Limiting Your Products
This was a big one.
In the past, I’d buy a blush and only use it as a blush, even though the shade would’ve looked gorgeous on my eyes. Or I’d avoid a shimmer shadow that made a stunning highlighter because it “wasn’t meant for that.”
Let me tell you something I’ve learned:
There are no rules.
If you want to wear your bronzer as an eyeshadow or your eyeshadow as a highlighter—do it. You bought it. Use it however it works best for you.
Two of my most-used highlighters? They’re actually eyeshadows in a palette I barely touched otherwise. And now I’m close to panning them, not because I had to—but because I wanted to.
Connect With Your Beauty Community
One of the best shifts I’ve made is connecting with other beauty lovers.
Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh pair of eyes to fall in love with something in your collection again. I once used a bronzing powder by mistake (thinking it was pressed powder) and got so many compliments that day—my skin looked healthy, radiant, and sunkissed. I would’ve never used it that way intentionally, but now it’s a regular in my routine.
Sharing tips, opinions, and little “oops” moments with others makes the journey fun again. Beauty doesn’t have to be isolating—it’s a shared language.
The Ultimate Failure: Disorganization
Let’s be real—how can you pan or enjoy your makeup if you don’t even know what you have?
I used to treat my collection like a junk drawer. Now, I treat it like a curated boutique. The difference? Organization.
Decluttering and organizing my stash was the first real step in my panning journey. It helped me rediscover old favorites, let go of expired or unloved products, and fall back in love with makeup as a whole.
Now, I see my collection as an evolving wardrobe. I rotate items seasonally, label storage bins, and have clear trays for daily use. It’s easier to plan, easier to enjoy, and so much more fulfilling.
What You Can Take Away
I’ve failed a lot on this journey, but every misstep taught me something valuable:
- Don’t punish yourself with makeup guilt. Set a budget and buy intentionally.
- Pan with purpose, not pressure. Joy matters more than progress.
- Visibility is key. A curated tray can change everything.
- Think beyond labels. Use your makeup however it works for you.
- Build your beauty circle. Share, connect, and grow together.
- Get organized. Know what you have so you can actually use it.
Ready to Take Control of Your Collection?
If you’ve nodded your head or sighed in relief while reading this, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure this out by yourself.
That’s why I’m creating the “MisaGlow Makeup Rotation & Pan Tracker”—a digital product to help you:
- Set weekly or monthly product rotations
- Track progress on panning goals
- Discover new ways to use old favorites
- Stay on budget and shop your stash with intention
It’s designed to help you reconnect with your collection in a way that’s fulfilling, fun, and guilt-free.
Call to Action:
If you’re ready to organize your stash, find joy in your makeup again, and actually use what you own—join the Misaglow community today. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive updates, free beauty resources, and first access to the Makeup Rotation & Pan Tracker when it launches.
Let’s rewrite your beauty story—one intentional swipe at a time.
