Monday, April 6, 2009

Vanity Clutter

I wonder... how many bottles and tubes of partially used lotions, body washes, special creams, hair products, perfumes, make up, and those "miracle in a jar" impulse purchases you have in each bathroom in your home.

Probably more than you need or use. We ALL do.

You, like all of us, have a few favorites that you use on a daily basis: perhaps a favorite shampoo, a nice foundation, a good eye cream, a perfect shade of lipstick. You enjoy these products every day, and bypass dozens more that you bought but don't completely like.

I want to encourage you to GET RID OF THE PRODUCTS YOU DON'T LIKE OR USE.

It's OK to just toss them in the trash. You are not obligated to use every last drop of the conditioner that doesn't really work, or the perfume your sister gave you three Christmases ago. Just because something is in your house doesn't mean you have to USE it up.

You don't sin by throwing away an almost-full tube of lipstick that isn't really your color (but came free with your department store foundation). It isn't wrong to get rid of personal care products you neither like or use.

For the products you have tried and don't want to use again, just throw them in the trash.

For the brand new products you know you will never use, gather them up in a bag and drop them off at a homeless shelter or a domestic violence center. Or take them to a food bank to distribute (yes, a food bank).

If you are unemployed and are in dire need of extra money, sell those brand new products on ebay, or take them back to the stores for full refunds, if you still have the receipts.

Next time you're shopping and want to add another hand lotion or eye shadow to your basket, ask yourself if it will become clutter to you within a week: unless it's a tried and true favorite of yours, most of these "vanity" purchases end up as clutter. When in doubt, don't buy it. Or, if you think you'll enjoy it now but may get tired of it after a short time, then buy a small travel or sample size.

Happy Spring!