The Luxe Minimalist’s Guide to Using Up Beauty Products & Shopping Smarter

With new and exciting products dropping almost every week, it’s easy to fall into the trap of over consumption. Sometimes we shop to fill an emotional void, and other times, we genuinely need a product—but instead of shopping strategically, we make impulse purchases and later regret them.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve accumulated way too many beauty products (probably some in the same category) that you’ve used only a handful of times before moving on to something more exciting.

This has happened to me so many times, I’ve lost count. When it does, I try to donate what I can and commit to a no-buy (aka a shopping ban) until I use up the rest. But finishing products you’re no longer excited about can feel daunting—especially when you have a lot to get through.

The good news? It doesn’t have to be miserable. I’ve found that the best way to and using up products more fun is to do something called a project pan.

What Is a Project Pan?

A project pan is essentially a challenge where you commit to using up a group of products—usually makeup, but I think any beauty product counts—and document your progress. It gamifies the process, making it more engaging. Who knows? You might even rediscover a product you’d given up on too soon.

There are no strict rules, but the goal is to be less wasteful. Some additional benefits? You’ll be more consistent with your skincare, makeup, and body care, leading to better results. You’ll also free up space in your bathroom and develop a clearer sense of what you actually like, making mindful shopping easier.

I’m currently working on a project pan myself. Since I’m moving soon, I’m trying to finish as many products as possible to avoid packing them for my next place. I’ve been getting creative, and I have some tips to help you hit your project pan goals faster.

Project Pan: How to Use Up Products More Efficiently

Focus on 1 thing at a time

I know it’s tempting to switch up your makeup and body care routine often, but having too many options is likely what got us here in the first place. It’s hard to see progress when your efforts are spread across multiple products.

Instead, commit to using one product per category at a time. For example:

• Choose one lotion, body wash, and serum to use exclusively until each is empty.
• Once finished, move on to the next product in that category.
• As a reward, you can replace it—but choose wisely to avoid falling back into the overconsumption trap.

Keep Your Everyday Products Front & Center

Make it easy to reach for the products you’re trying to finish by storing them in a visible and accessible spot. Keep everything else tucked away as back stock.

For example:

• Makeup: Store your project pan products on your vanity or in a dedicated makeup bag.
• Skincare: Keep them on your bathroom counter or in your medicine cabinet.

Having a focused lineup helps prevent product-hopping mid-routine and speeds up usage.

Decanting perfume into a travel atomizer or lotion into a smaller squeeze bottle, will allow you to refresh on the go and use up products even quicker. You can also make a small makeup bag for on the go touch ups.

Create a Travel Kit to Refresh on the Go

Decanting your perfume into a travel atomizer or transferring lotion into a small squeeze bottle to through in your bag allows you to refresh throughout the day, using up products faster. You can also keep a small makeup bag for on-the-go touch-ups.

Find Multiple Uses for Products

Get creative with how you use your products so they don’t go to waste:

• Conditioner can double as shaving cream.
• Lip balm works as a cuticle, elbow, or cracked heel treatment.
• Face cream can be used as a body moisturizer.

Little tricks like these help you get through products quicker.

Don’t Save Products for Special Occasions

To use up makeup faster, experiment with looks even when you’re not going out. This way, you not only make progress on finishing products, but you’ll also be prepared with a go-to makeup look for your next event.

The same goes for fragrance—there’s no need to wait for a fancy occasion. I love wearing perfume even when I’m just at home because scent can be a great mood booster.

How to Be More Mindful When Shopping for Beauty Products

1. Buy Smaller Sizes

If you’re just in the mood to try something new, start with the smallest size. This way, you can test it out without committing to a full-sized product. If you love it, great—you can upgrade once the mini is finished. If not, it’s much easier to use up a mini and move on.

Even better? See if you can request a sample or get a deluxe-size mini as a gift with purchase.

2. Follow the One In, One Out Rule

To maintain a mindful collection and prevent clutter, commit to getting rid of something whenever you buy something new. Ideally, you’d replace a product in the same category, but a different product works too.

3. Build a Capsule Makeup Collection

Just like a capsule wardrobe, a capsule makeup collection consists of only your holy grail products—the ones you truly love and use daily.

We only have one face, so we don’t need as many products as we’re constantly marketed. If you like to switch things up, consider a seasonal rotation instead of constantly buying new products.

A project pan is a great way to be intentional about the beauty products you already own while making room for only the best in your collection. By using what you have, being strategic about what you buy, and shopping with intention, you can enjoy beauty without excess.

Are you working on a project pan? Let me know what products you’re trying to finish!

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