I know the feeling all too well—you’re staring at your makeup drawers, shelves, bags, and bins thinking, How in the world did I get here? All those launches. All those influencer recommendations. All those “limited editions.” The rush of grabbing something before it sold out. The thrill of unboxing. That initial high of the first swatch.
But here we are—years later—with drawers full of products, half-used powders, expired glosses, and foundationsthat no longer match. And somehow, even with all of this, it’s so hard to let go. You may not be using these products anymore, but you’re still holding onto them. Why? Because makeup isn’t just pigment and packaging—it’s emotionally charged. To me, it’s a way of life!
Let’s talk about it.
Here are 5 (very real) emotional reasons we hold onto old makeup—and how to finally let go, together.
1. Nostalgia: The Glory Days of Beauty YouTube and Haul Culture
Remember the height of the YouTube beauty boom? It was an era! Our favorite beauty influencers were unboxing endless PR packages, launching collabs left and right, and crashing such websites as Sephora and Pat McGrath during most of the new release. Maybe you stood in line for that holiday collection or set your alarm to snag the last palette from a flash sale. You didn’t just buy a product—you bought into a moment in time.
Why it’s hard to let go:
That bronzer isn’t just a bronzer—it’s a memory. It reminds you of excitement, of feeling plugged into a global community of beauty lovers.
How to move forward:
Honor that era for what it was: a moment of joy and discovery. But remind yourself that trends evolve and you’ve evolved, too. Letting go of those expired or unused items doesn’t erase the memory—it simply clears space for a new season of beauty.
2. “One Day” Syndrome: The Mythical I’ll Get Around to Wearing it
We’ve all said it—“I’ll wear this one day.” Maybe it was for that glam night out you haven’t had in three years. Or maybe you convinced yourself you’d “learn how to wear blue lipstick eventually.”
Why it’s hard to let go:
Holding onto these items feels like holding onto hope. It’s the intention that one day, you’ll be someone who wears it, does the look, takes the risk.
How to move forward:
Ask yourself honestly: Has that “one day” come? If not, give yourself a deadline. If you can’t see yourself wearing it in the next 30 days, it’s probably time to release it. Use your collection now. You deserve to look and feel beautiful today,not someday.
3. Style Mismatch: “It’s Not Me, But I Bought It Anyway”
Maybe it was trendy. Maybe it was on sale. Maybe your favorite influencer raved about it. So you bought it… and it’s been sitting untouched ever since.
Why it’s hard to let go:
It reminds you of a version of yourself you were trying to be—maybe more glam, more adventurous, more “on trend.” Letting it go can feel like admitting you made a mistake or weren’t that person after all.
How to move forward:
Instead of framing it as a failure, frame it as a learning moment. Try mixing and layering it differently—maybe that too-bright blush softens beautifully with a bronzer overlay. But if it still doesn’t serve you, let it go. And take it as a cue to shop with more intention next time.
4. Money Guilt: “I Don’t Want to Waste What I Paid”
Oof. This one hits home. You see the product, maybe still in its original packaging, and feel a wave of shame—I spent $50 on that and never touched it.
Why it’s hard to let go:
It feels like throwing away money. And in some ways, that’s true. But what’s more wasteful—keeping something you’ll never use, or clearing space for things that do bring joy?
How to move forward:
Shift your mindset: You paid for a lesson. A valuable one. Rehoming a product to a friend, donating to a women’s shelter (if unopened), or even selling gently used items on makeup resell platforms can help ease the guilt. The bigger win? Learning how to be more mindful with future purchases.
5. The FOMO Effect: “But It Was Limited Edition!”
Limited edition drops create panic—and that’s the point. You buy quickly, fearing you’ll miss out forever. That fear sticks around even when the product is dusty and untouched.
Why it’s hard to let go:
You might never be able to get it again. What if you do want it later?
How to move forward:
Let’s be real—brands are always releasing something new. And odds are, a better formula or similar shade already exists. Scarcity shouldn’t dictate your space or peace. Celebrate what you have room to love now, not what you’re afraid to lose.
Bonus Reason: Identity Ties—”That Makeup Represents Who I Was“
Sometimes it’s not about the makeup at all. It’s about the version of you who wore it.
Maybe that matte red lipstick reminds you of your fearless, post-breakup glow-up. Maybe that contour stick was part of your first professional headshot look. These products become time capsules—of confidence, milestones, or even survival.
How to move forward:
Keep one sentimental item if it truly means something. But know that the version of you who wore it still lives inside you. You don’t need the physical item to honor that chapter. Let it go, with gratitude, and step fully into who you are now.
The Truth: It’s Not About the Product—It’s About the Feeling
At the core, all of these reasons boil down to fear:
- Fear of wasting money
- Fear of losing memories
- Fear of not being “enough” without a certain product
- Fear of the unknown
But you know what? You’re not alone. And you don’t have to feel ashamed or stuck. Here at Misaglow, we believe that makeup should serve you, not the other way around.
Letting go of old makeup isn’t just an act of tidying—it’s an act of emotional clarity. You’re making room. You’re shedding expectations. You’re honoring yourself in the present moment.
So take this as your sign to open that drawer. Grab a warm beverage. Start small. Wipe down your collection. Pick up each product and ask, “Does this still bring me joy, inspiration, or confidence?” If the answer is no—it’s okay to let it go.
How to Let Go (Gently)
Here are a couple of steps to get you started:
- Set a timer for 20 minutes. Just declutter one section (blushes, lipsticks, primers, foundations or eyeshadow singles).
- Create three piles: Keep, Toss, Rehome.
- Don’t feel like you have to do it all at once. Even completing one section is a win.
- Journal your feelings. What emotions come up? What lessons can you take into your future shopping habits? This will allow for you to reflect on them later!
- Reward yourself. After each declutter session, do something nice—light a candle, put on your favorite mask, or swatch a few of your top products that do bring you joy.
At Misaglow, we’re not just about makeup—we’re about mindful beauty. We believe in making room for products (and experiences) that uplift you. That reflect that person you are today. That bring glow, without the guilt.
Letting go of old makeup isn’t loss—it’s liberation.
Let’s glow forward together.
Want more mindful beauty tips, stash strategies, and real talk about makeup love?
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