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How to Marie Kondo your way to a downsized beauty drawer - and navigate the aisles of temptation in Dischem and Clicks

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Organising consultant, Netflix star and author Marie Kondo
Organising consultant, Netflix star and author Marie Kondo

The Netflix hit series Tidying Up With Marie Kondo is on everyone’s lips.

Here’s how to apply the KonMari method to your beauty buys – and save money in the process. 

Otti Logan, 16, gets a folding lesson from zen tidiness guru Marie Kondo

Half full mascara in your makeup bag, three-quarter full bottle of shampoo in the shower, but still inexplicably drawn to that mascara with the metallic packaging at Dischem?

And don’t even speak about the burgeoning natural hair section at Clicks.

It’s like Narnia.

Superfluous consumer behaviour is but the very definer of us as a society today.

We like excess, and our relationship with our products is one of disposability. 

We live mostly an existence of quantity over quality as we are spoiled for choice with single-use products, fast fashion and are punted daily skincare routines that need ten to fifteen products just to work. 

But Japanese tidying wizard Marie Kondo’s hit Netflix series Tidying Up With Marie Kondo has sparked more than just joy in us.

Why?

Because it’s a simple approach to an over-cluttered existence that, frankly, has us all reaching for the bin. 

From binning items that no longer spark joy in your life to repurchasing more consciously, here are a few cosmetics tidying lessons Marie Kondo would be proud of: 

Step 1 in the KonMari method stipulates you take all your clothes (all of them - shoes, bags and accessories) and place them in a pile on your bed, before sorting. 

When it comes to cosmetics, I’d say go for the bathroom floor.

ADDING SPARK

First, pick those items you love. Favourite lipstick, shampoo, body cream, etc. Those products that make you feel like a queen. Place them aside.

EMPTIES

Now, go for the almost-empties

It’s a popular trend for beauty bloggers to show their empties via Insta Stories or on YouTube, as these are the products, they, despite having so many cosmetics to choose from, finish. 

Make a list of your empties.

BIN

Chuck those items that are a) expired, b) not a favourite and c) not on your empties list. 

SHOPPING AND REPURCHASING

Clicks, Dischem, Red Square all spark joy in their own ways.

The smells, the packaging, THE PRODUCTS!

But they can also throw aisles of seduction your way, and are the ultimate budget destruction. 

Like with groceries, you need to make lists and don’t ever go shopping ‘on a half full stomach’.

Only repurchase items you love, and items that you’ve used up. 

What about new product launches, you might wonder? Get samples and try the samples before splurging on new products you don’t have a trusted relationship with. 

Shop multi-use products.

For example, also use a face oil or a body oil to tame fly-aways.

Also consider spending a bit first, to save a bit later.

For example, buy a few good quality makeup brushes (and wash them regularly with baby shampoo), so you don't have to chuck all those dirty unused brushes carrying decades of blush, eye shadow, etc. which leads to clutter.

READ MORE: Celeb MUA Dineo Mofokeng gives us the low down on makeup brushes

STORAGE

A massive box filled to the brim with makeup, body lotion, cotton wool, and nail polish?

Sounds about right. Always respect your products and be aware of exactly what you have.

Basically, keep them clean and on display. 

When things aren’t seen, they are forgotten.

KonMari has a very specific stacking method for clothing in drawers, so we need to apply the same to beauty.

Compartmentalise your beauties – say brushes together and face products separately in their own little box. 

Our possessions need to be recognised by us for the value or joy the add to our lives.

Don’t crowd their space with other less-deserving things. 

Without that acknowledgement, your products are as worthless to you as the organisers of the Fyre festival saying sorry without compensating their employees and workers.

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