For the latest installment in my Joy of One series, I’d like to talk about cosmetics, bath items, personal care products, and the like. Though disposable in nature, we often don’t dispose of them—opting to buy a new color or scent or formulation before we’ve used up our old ones. Oftentimes we get them for free from cosmetic counters and hotels (those tiny toiletries are super-cute and hard to resist). They accumulate in our drawers and cabinets, and on our countertops and shelves, and can lead to a real clutter problem. So even though we may not consider them “possessions,” they’re certainly worth discussion.
Interestingly, when I broach this topic with family and friends, some find One Shampoo or One Lipstick or One Nail Polish ridiculous, and others find it ridiculously easy. I’m really looking forward to your Comments on this, as I expect they’ll reflect a wide range of experiences and opinions.
For my part, there was a time when I would have laughed at the notion of limiting my bath and beauty products to one of each. Variety is the spice of life, right? But then I started to travel, and in the interest of packing lightly, did precisely that on my trips. And you know what? Instead of feeling deprived, I actually liked not having to make decisions every morning on which products to use. I liked having a single cleanser or a signature lipstick that I never had to think about. It seemed to make my life a little easier, my mind a little clearer, and my mornings (and evenings) a little smoother.
So I narrowed down my everyday products to the following: one soap, one shampoo, one face cleanser, one toothpaste, and one moisturizer with sunscreen. For cosmetics, I have one mineral powder, one concealer, one lipstick, one blush, and one eyeshadow (the latter two for more formal and professional occasions).
I found streamlining my beauty supplies helpful from the start, but it was after my daughter was born that I experienced the true Joy of One in this area. The ability to fly through my morning routine when I had an infant who needed to be fed, then a toddler tearing through the house, and now a preschooler to get ready for school, has been invaluable. (And when you’re using your One Lipstick, there’s no chance of your little one commandeering another to decorate herself or the walls!)
It seems trivial, but those hundreds of little decisions we make every day—like what moisturizer or makeup to use—can add up to some serious decision fatigue. Conversely, the less energy we expend on trivial matters, the more we have for important ones.
Sure, sometimes I need a change or want to try something new—but I usually wait until I use up my old one. If I’m truly unhappy with it, or it’s nearing the end of its shelf life, I’ll dispose of it. In fact, the limited shelf life of many beauty products provides ample opportunity for turnover. Liquids and creams—especially those worn on or around the eyes—have a lifespan of three to six months, while powdered foundation, concealer, blush, and lipstick generally last for a year. So don’t fret too much about getting bored with your selection; in a matter of months, you can replace your current One with a new One anyway.
Truth be told, many of you will surpass me on this and achieve the Joy of None. I absolutely love and admire and celebrate anyone who can go shampoo- or makeup-free. I wish I could do it. I want to do it. I will do it someday. But I’m not there yet. (My nails have been bare for years; that’s a step in the right direction, huh?) So the Joy of One is a nice compromise—my personal “enough” between many and none. For me, at this time, it’s lagom.
And you may find it lagom, too. If you’re intrigued by the Joy of One concept, but find One Coat or One Shoe or One Pan too extreme, this could be a wonderful place to test the waters. For each beauty product, choose your favorite and clear your shelves of the rest. Give it a week, or a month, or longer and see what it’s like to have One. When you experience the extra space it brings to your counters, your schedule, and your mind—and the ease with which it was achieved—you may be inspired to experiment with One in other parts of your life!
I’d love to know what you think of this challenge: easy, hard, something you already do? Are you one of those amazing Joy of None people? Do tell!
{If you’d like to learn more about minimalist living, please consider joining my email list or reading my book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide. Pre-order the new edition before April 26, and receive a thank-you bouquet of one dozen decluttering printables!}
I am currently in the process of using up all my shower gels and replace them with one block of Marseille soap.
The Marseille soap is also used as all purpose cleaner and occasionally as laundry soap (grate and dissolve in hot water).
I don’t use makeup ar all, just some coconut oil for my lips and out of necessity sun block cream for my skin. I wash my face with water (how dirty does a face get anyway?). I do have some eye pencils somewhere, but they will go into the chemical waste basket soon/today (yes, in the Netherlands, makeup is considered chemical waste when disposed of, why put that on your face?)
Oh, I use shampoo and a hair styling product too… just one of each
Francine, I am one of those people you admire who uses shampoo, but doesn’t put on makeup. ^^ I’m 24 and in the future, I may have to get makeup someday, but it is not needed right now.
I currently only have one bottle of shampoo, but it is a bulk size one. I have one bar of soap from my bar soap collection that I will be using in the future and I only have what I need of bathroom supplies. Well, I do store bulk bathroom supplies in my cabinet so I don’t have to go out and shop for them often, but that’s it. ;D
I guess I fail in some places of your Joy of One challenge, but excel in others. But the “others” category is very limited, I’m afraid. I’m admit I am not the type of person to just keep one of everything. D: But seeing you do it and taking your journey of minimalism to the next level is wonderful to see! C:
Have a beautiful April! ^^
Marissa, take care of your skin (I use one cleanser and one moisturizer with sunscreen, drink lots of water, eat plenty of fruits and veggies, get adequate sleep, and I’ve never smoked) and you may find you never need makeup! I’m 55, and I only use one lipstick on a daily basis, and most people who don’t know think I’m 10 years younger. For dressy occasions like weddings or concerts (I’m a singer), I use one eyebrow pencil, one eyeshadow, one mascara, and one blush in addition to lipstick. I don’t even need foundation or concealer (I know, that might be due to lucky genetics).
Well, for some things I just use one product regularly, others I’m using up to get down to just one or a few (a significant reduction). Things I don’t use include nail polish, bronzer, highlighter, makeup pencils, tanning and hair styling products. I know which skin and haircare products I like and stick to them.
TBH, I don’t want just one scent or colour to use, that would bore me, but I also don’t need 20 of each. I’ll plump for the middle ground. One foundation, concealer, mascara etc are fine, but I prefer a choice of colour products. I recently reduced my eyeshadow shades from over 725 down to 64. :) I’ll keep on using these.
Yes I have one each of shampoo, conditioner, soap, face cleanser, moisturiser, lipstick, powder and perfume. Makes life easy.
Oh I forgot, one deodorant.
Skincare’s pretty easy… makeup, not so much! I’m working toward the goal of the Joy of Some, not the Joy of One. To me, that’d be like having one blouse, or one book — I need *some* variety! I’m actually pretty minimalist about most things, but you’ve hit upon one of my two (big) weak spots — makeup and handbags. I recently gave a friend (whose makeup bag had been stolen) about a dozen new or gently used lipsticks, and I still have (gulp) almost 50. I told you it was a weak spot! As with anything, they’re hard to discard because you feel like it’s dollar bills going straight into the trash. Right now my plan is to acquire as little makeup as possible this year (‘none’ is probably unrealistic), play with my stash in the meantime, then purge everything I don’t wear/don’t love. I have one shampoo, one soap, etc. with no problem, but boy, makeup — high-end makeup, no less — is tough for me. I LOVE the idea of only owning two or three lip products — let’s see whether I can get there! Said the “minimalist”…
I recently spent hours reading through the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Skin Deep cosmetics database. It was eye opening, to say the least, and it motivated me to throw out all the toxic products I had in my bathroom and makeup bag. Because I was starting from scratch in restocking, I bought very little (supported by the daunting challenge of finding truly good-for-you products — thanks, EWG, for the help there, too). I really love opening my bathroom cabinet or looking at my shower caddy and seeing only a handful of products: one shampoo, one conditioner, a liquid castile soap that doubles as shower and shaving gel, a tube of body and face moisturizer, a tube of hair styling gel, and one deodorant. In my makeup bag, I have one blush, one face powder, and one lipstick.
I’d like to have several lipsticks so I can keep one in my bag, one at my office, and one in my bathroom, plus a spare in case one of those breaks. But…that’s it!
http://www.zerowastehome.com/2015/01/zero-waste-home-essential-multi.html
You beat me to this, Lelia! I immediately thought of this post. I admire it tremendously, but am not completely there. You?
For years I’ve been trying to streamline my cosmetics and personal care oriducts. I usualky had a lot less than most people but still. Then I was diagnosed with a serious illness and threw all the products containing certain chemicals away. Now I use only a bar of olive oil soap, shampoo, contitioner, coconut oil for moisterizer, coconut oil mixed with baking soda for deodorant, cocoa powder for eyeshadow. I bought mascara, lip balm, sunscreen and eye pencils from an organic store. And I buff my nails instead of using polish. Ok, I have one polish for my toes in summer. Toothpaste and floss and that’s about it. Makes it a lot easier when traveling and has certainly helped in organizing my tiny bathroom.
I recently attended a destination wedding. In our room at the hotel there was a goodie bag from the bride and groom filled with little bottles of shampoo, conditioner, skin cream, hand cream, moisturizer and so on. My first reaction was excitement that I would get to try all these new products. After awhile I looked at it as more “little stuff” to pack and move from train to train as we completed our journey. I ended up leaving the treats on the counter along with a tip for the housekeeper. Hopefully that person took them to enjoy or passed them on to a homeless shelter. When it’s time to replace my favorite lipstick or foundation I never take the free gift that comes with them. I love keeping things simple and this site has helped me be more mindful of what I consume. Thank you!
To me there would be no joy of none; it would be a void. I love cosmetics and playing around with colour (especially on my nails) so for me this is a creative outlet and nothing I have a desire to say no to. One has to have *some* interests; after you scale back and find what truly makes you happy, then so what if that something also includes cosmetics? There’s no bravery medal for people who walk around with no makeup on their face; that’s just a choice, not some extraordinary feat. I’m sticking with my makeup and nail polishes and I’m very happy!!!
Yes to this!
Amen! I can handle a scaled-down wardrobe but I like my skincare and body care treats!
Mia, if makeup brings you joy it’s great that you realize that and actually enjoy it! For some people it’s a chore, or something they feel they HAVE to have, and for those people it would be liberating to downsize. It’s almost as if makeup is like a favorite “hobby” for you, and so (to follow Miss Minimalist’s STREAMLINE model) you should have your makeup module and use it to your heart’s content!
I love this idea! My One lipstick is Rose Infinite by YSL. Depending on how light or heavy it is applied, it can be a light gloss, medium, or rich shade. My shampoo is Biolage Volume Bloom. Using fewer products really simplifies my life! Thanks for all of your wonderful posts!
this is the only area i can actually do “Joy of One”. I have been using the same lipstick and color for 40 years. My mother gave me some of her perfume when i was a child and i have never strayed. I had a panic attack when my face powder was discontinued 20 years ago and had to search for a new one! Some may say i should be more adventuresome but i feel comfort in my morning routine – no decisions!
now when we get to the joy of one purse….i will be in trouble!
denise
I had an acute dandruff problem for years and spent loads of money on fancy shampoos. None of them worked. Then I started using baking soda to wash my hair. A month later, I was completely dandruff free. No more shampoo for me. I also don’t use conditioner. To soften and shine my hair, I let it dry and then finger comb in few drops of argan oil. It works beautifully. My hair has never been more manageable and healthy.
Argan oil is also what I use on my face at night. For all purpose body cleansing/shaving, I use gentle castile soap. I also use it to brush my teeth as I’m trying to ease off of fluoride.
My other care products are: SPF face moisturizer, concealer, eyeliner, two lipsticks, face powder. I’m in my 40s so have to do makeup, but I try to keep it simple. I love lip color, but have finally cured myself of buying multiple tubes of lipsticks. I’m down to two — a flesh pink color and red. Those two allow me to have a range of lip colors. The flesh pink is for everyday use, and the red is for special occasions. However, when I want a little more color on my lips, I mix in a little red in with the pink. When I’m out with girlfriends, I tone the red down with a some pink. You get the idea. Depending on my mood, I mix the two colors together in varying degrees to get the exact shade that matches my mood.
All the items (except the castile soap) fit in a small cosmetic bag next to the sink, which helps keep the bathroom from getting cluttered. When the castile soap bar gets small enough, I let it dry and save it in a small plastic bag. I have several small soap pieces that come with me on trips to serve as my body soap, toothpaste and shampoo.
Could you explain how you use baking soda to wash your hair? Do you just shake it on your wet hair and rub it in? Or do you mix it with something? I’m intrigued and want to try it, thanks!
This is a ‘bit’ late, but you could google ‘no poo’ which means no shampoo. :)
I went without shampoo for a couple of years, and it did a lot of good for my scalp. You mix baking soda and a little water and rub the mix in your hair. You need to massage or gently rub your scalp regularly, since this method doesn’t remove the dry dead skin. A little apple (cider) vinegar for rinsing and your hair manageable. At its simplest…
It takes a little getting used to – also for your hair – but if it feels right it can do a lot of good. IMHO.
This is where my own minimalist journey began. I was fed up of scrambling through my make-up bag each morning for the the same products I used every day. I eventually put these few products in their own ‘module’ with their few applicators which made it easier in the mornings. I have a separate ‘special occasions module’ with the remaining products which I will eventually use and probably not replace.
Francine, I love your just one series! I have just one of all that you mentioned except for shampoo. My hair gets flat and limp if I use the same shampoo every day so I alternate between two and I never use conditioner. My nurse practitioner told me Dove unscented is the best soap so I use that and Cetaphil for my face. It does make life so much easier and you save money too. I also recommend Burts Bees lip shimmer. It’s my favorite lip stick.
LOL, Burts Bees is my One Lipstick! I like the tinted lip balm in Red Dahlia.
My one lipstick as well in Rhubarb!
I am trying to do this with my toiletries; I like the lack of clutter in my cabinets and on my counters. And I never was one to buy those huge bottles of shampoo, etc. from the warehouse stores – they take up entirely too much room and I like to switch things up a bit.
As an aside, I like to have a scrub in the shower for my feet and areas of rough skin; I mixed up some brown sugar that was rock-hard and some olive oil in a jar I already had. Eventually, the brown sugar softened. It feels great and softens my skin.
Finally, I can join in with “The Joy of One”! I do this as well and have for years. I find that my skin looks better and does better when I don’t switch around with lots of different products. I just prefer to have my face look the same every day and show my creativity in my clothes. I do wear makeup on a regular basis but that’s not where I do much experimenting. I enjoy your blog and am looking forward to the book. I also enjoy reading what other people are doing. Blogs like this one keep me focused on remembering what is important in life. We are bombarded by so many advertisements that sometimes we forget that it’s okay not to try everything. That we can live like our grandmothers and just have one thing and enjoy it!
I’m all over the place on this ONE. For make-up I have one mascara that I keep in my purse and one foundation that I keep in my gym bag. This is convenient for the gym but on mornings when I don’t go to the gym I have to go downstairs and finish getting ready in the dining room! I am actually used to this though and don’t mind. I have a very neutral lipstick in my purse too but forget to use it, as a very pale middle-aged woman I am religious about an spf lip balm instead. With soap and shampoo, I keep small travel bottles in my gym bag that get refilled from the main bottles in the upstairs bathroom. The soap is a liquid that I can also use as a facewash. I am very diligent about sunscreen and have two tubes of good moisturizer with at least 30 spf, I keep one in my bedroom and one in my purse. So although I am pretty minimalist about these things the complications in my life – full-time work away from home, my love for going to the gym in the mornings – require a bit of duplication.
This Joy of One series is so inspiring!
It’s interesting that you comment on the ease of decision making. There are tons of stories out there about business leaders (Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg) who always wear the same thing every day. The theory behind this is that’s one less decision they have to make in their already busy lives.
On this topic specifically, don’t take the bottles from hotel rooms. As tempting as it is, it adds to the clutter in your home. I travel internationally frequently for work and it is very tempting, but I always take my own bottles and refill them each trip. Or, use the bottles only at the hotel as a little vacation from your regular products and leave them there.
Love this! It was your blog and a few select others which started me on my minimalist journey a few years ago. Thank you! I am a one-er as well. One soap, one shampoo, share toothpaste and mouthwash with hubby. I don’t wear makeup (my skin is very sensitive and I suffer from dry eye syndrome which makes it near impossible to wear eye makeup). My failing are purses. I don’t even like carry them but I still have a compulsion to buy them. ?
Kathy, i am with you on the compulsion to buy purses! denise
I wouldn’t call it a compulsion — it just depends on your lifestyle. I have a larger one to carry my lunch,books and purse contents to work; a smaller backpack for biking/walking; and a small one for evenings and weekends. My mother left me a beautiful small gold chain-link evening bag with a gold clip closure, which would be great with an evening gown but I don’t go anywhere you need an evening gown but I’ve kept it and look at it and feel it (I just love the way the chain feels in my hand) periodically as it reminds me of the days she used to dress up in beautiful evening gowns and wearing long (over the elbow) calf-skinned leather gloves with little pearl buttons.
I love this Joy of One series so much! I’ve been working on getting there in my hygiene routine for quite some time now. I’m almost done using up what I had stocked up on a while ago (only 2 packs of wipes left!). I found a shampoo and conditionner combo that really works well for me. I use Dr Bronner’s as a body wash, face wash, toothpaste and shaving cream. I moisturize my face and hands with jojoba oil before bed. I exfoliate once a week with a scrub made of sugar and coconut oil. As far as make up goes I often do nothing at all but I have one BB cream with SPF, one powder foundation, one concealer, one eye liner and one eyeshadow palette of nude colors.
Great topic! I’ve actually just done this without realizing. I’ve just packed for a vacation to Australia and I packed just one of each from my make up drawer. Once I did this I realized I don’t need the other stuff clogging up my drawers and packed it away. But now thinking about it I will for sure now get rid of it instead of waiting to see. I had done it already with my skin care and it is so refreshing to open my bathroom cabinet and see that I use each and every thing there instead of hoarding it.
I use one bar of savon de alepp (it is a combination of olive and laurel oils) for hair, skin, shaving etc. I use a small silicone scrub pad to exfoliate my skin occasionally. If winter is really dry then a dab of sweet almond oil adds extra moisture. I don’t wear make up excepting a small concealer stick for red spots. I own a stainless steel razor with replaceable blades.
Oh I do so agree! I am allergic to most make-up, so all I wear is under eye concealer and blush, both by Clinique. I use one shampoo and conditioner. One aluminum-free deodorant. I get hand-made soaps from Whole Foods, but of course only use one at a time. No body washes or anything like that. One moisturizing lotion. I do not polish my toes or fingernails. I had a reaction on my feet from the polish, and I had to stop using it, but actually I prefer them natural anyway. Saves so much time and bother. One toothpaste (Sensodyne). One mouthwash (Tom’s of Maine). I keep my hair in a simple shoulder-length bob. My hair is greyish now so I only have it highlighted twice a year at the crown so it does not look mousy. I like being low-maintenance, and when I need to go shopping I do not have to be confused at all the choices on the shelves, I just go for my favorites. I’m not saying I will not ever try something new, but not before I use up what I already have.
I also love this series, and enjoy the comments others have posted!
For years, my husband and I have enjoyed one shampoo/body wash. Neither of us like how Dr Bronner’s makes our hair feel, but Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle shampoo works like a charm and we use it on our hair and bodies. I also use it as a shaving cream.
I use one moisturizer (coconut oil) and one conditioner, which is a leave-in conditioner. (No rinsing means less time in the shower!)
I haven’t worn makeup in years, and as a result, I almost never have any skin irritations or problems, but I do have wrinkles. (I’m lucky enough to be aging!)
Not using makeup means I get to pack lighter, and I don’t care if I get caught in a rainstorm.
I just want to say that I love you said, “I’m lucky enough to be aging!” I know so many people (some as young as their mid-20s!) who are sad about how “old” they’re getting. So many people would have loved to live a long life but had theirs cut short. We need more people who celebrate every day!
I love this series… I have one shampoo, one soap, one face wash, one each of lipstick, blush, eyeliner, and eyeshadow. One hairbrush, no hair care products – a pixie cut is the best!
The only thing I’m the exact opposite of minimalist on is my daily contact lenses… I hate how much garbage they make, but my vision is poor and I have dry eyes, I see better with them than with any other contacts or glasses. Hopefully one day I can find a better option.
A reader just emailed me something I had to share…
“As for the little containers gathered from traveling, our church collects them and make survival bags for those in need. The bags are donated to several local agencies serving this population. It is a great way to make use of these items.”
How wonderful is that? Let’s spread this idea to our own churches, schools, and communities!
I have found a product that is a shampoo/body wash that I’m trying. Tinted lip balm is my daily go to (Burts Bees) with a BB cream or tinted moisturizer with SPF. This is one place where really less can be more.
I love Lush’s moisturizer in a bar. It does not have SPF but, it does not take up much space while you travel. I no longer use eyeshadow but, will instead use eyeliner for a bit of color and I only have two colors that I use. I also no longer use under eye cream having decided that it was a waste of time and space and instead will just use my moisturizer.
One shampoo, one soap, one facewash, one lip balm, one sunscreen and one moisturizer. The best part is my husband, daughter and I can use the same products! No complaints there. Now the stuff my husband refuses to use and my daughter is waiting to use are my one concealer, one eyeliner, one mascara, one blush and one lipstick haha!
Giving up the freebies, that was hard. Now I’m at the point where I have just what I need, without any excess. I wasn’t particularly focused on “one” of anything, as long as each item was functional. It’s ok if an item performs more than one function as long as another item isn’t performing the same function. For example, I only need one kind of soap, but it’s ok if that soap can be used for multiple purposes.
I use one bar of castille soap for everything, face, hair, and body. A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water is an excellent hair rinse. Used straight it is a good toner for your skin. So is using lemon rind after squeezing lemon juice in my daily water. I make toothpaste from coconut oil and baking soda. I use no makeup, and just rely on a healthy diet, exercise, good sleep, a bit of coconut oil as a skin and hair protectant, and some beetroot powder for lip color and eyelid color if I am feeling festive. I don’t paint my nails. Other than the castille soap bar and toothbrush, everything else is from my kitchen. Since I’m also interested in zero-waste, I’m looking into obtaining recyclable toothbrushes.
I’ve been downsizing for many years, and practicing as an ultra-lightweight backpacker and extensive traveler. Less is less, and I like it!
i would be much more minimalist in this area if I didn’t keep bringing products home from work! My skin and haircare is pretty simple (One shampoo/body wash; one face cleanser; deodorant; one foundation/lipstick/eyeshadow/eyeliner/mascara) but I seem to have accumulated a lot of body mosturisers. I can’t bear to see things wasted, so I will use it all up- and replace with just one thing! I have contact lenses, and the solutions do add to the clutter a bit.
I also have just One hairbrush.
My aim with my cosmetics etc is that it all fits into one wash bag- so when I go away I just grab that and don’t need to pack.
I don’t wear make up.
I replace soap when it needs it although I don’t always buy the same kind. I use shampoo until it’s gone.
But I do have a bunch of different body lotions …there’s no decision fatigue I just grab one and use it. Only one is scented. I have one face cream and I have face clanswer some place but I really don’t use it.
I do have 4 different products for my hair. It’s short but I use them in varying combinations to get my hair styled. I don’t own a hair dryer and I have a small travel brush. The hair products are : spray wax, a styling poweder, hair spray, and a pomade thing. Although a lot of times I don’t use anything. When my hair as long it just ended up in a pony tail. With it short it looks styled and I don’t have to use product (although I like to) and in the summer I don’t even bother towel drying my hair if I’m in a hurry, just brush it in place and it dries quickly.
I was a Joy of None person for several years. I owned one liquid soap which I used primarily for hand washing since I used just water on my very short hair and my body scrubbing it all with a washcloth. I also own one lipstick and one nail polish but I rarely wear them. When I truly want to dress up I dab a bit of lipstick on my cheeks and spread it out to act as blush. Now that my hair has grown out past my shoulders I don’t wash it as often so I do use my husband’s shampoo when washing it. I still rarely wear makeup; I have been blessed with clear skin that’s still nearly wrinkle free at age 68 maybe because I seldom clog my pores or tug on my skin using makeup?
I also started practicing the Joy of One in my toiletries recently. At the moment I’m even using up my shampoo and conditioner an body wash and when I finish them up I’ll use the same shampoo as my husband, use shampoo as body wash and I’d like to try some essential oil instead of conditioner. It makes the shower look a lot less cluttered and much easier to clean without having to move around a lot of bottles. I like using coconut oil to remove my make-up in the evening and a facial cleanser and moisturizer in the morning but when I run out I’d like to combine them. As far as make-up goes I have one compact powder, mascara, eye liner and one combined lip and cheek product, and as you say it makes my morning routine much simpler :)
I feel like this is an ever growing area for me on the minimalist journey. Currently, I have one shampoo, one conditioner, one bar of soap, one shave gel and one razor in the shower. I have one face wash, face lotion. Make up: how far I’ve come but how far I still need to go…. One BB cream, one mineral powder, two eye shadows, two eye liners, one mascara. Nail polish: I’ve tried to quit…. But every summer I revert back. I feel weird having unpainted toes in flip flops…. Any advice?
With nail polish, I’ve decided that the multiple items needed to give myself a manicure/pedicure are too much bother. I keep my nails short using clippers and a file, and once or twice a year splurge on a manicure. In the summer I get 2 or 3 pedicures. I can never do as good of a job on myself as someone else can do. That’s my high maintenance but minimalistic solution!
You might want to try buffing your toenails, still natural, lasts a long time, but little nicer than nothing.
Dear Francine,
This is my first comment and I just want to tell you how wonderful is your blog and also your book. Since nearly 3,5 years I come here reading the articles. Sometimes again and again.
I think the idea of just one color for lipsticks etc is just one item which goes with the way of your journey to a minimalist life.
Years ago you posted about a minimalist wardrobe. So if you choose a color for yourself it will be easier to match the lipstick with your clothes and face.
There is no necessity for a lot of different colors.
Regarding me: I nearly don’t use any cosmetics. Of cause I still have (a lot I would say, others may say a little haha).
I am over 40 and I don’t wear make up. I could probably count the number of times I’ve worn make up on my fingers. I think it’s a waste of time and money. I have had acne most of my life so I do not have anything near flawless skin. I just didn’t see the point of filling my pores with oily gunk and then having to scrape it off already sore skin. Now that I’m over 40, I have decided to let my hair go grey and keep it boyish short to minimize fuss. The only products I use in the bathroom are: shampoo, soap for sensitive skin, antiperspirant, toothpaste and mouthwash (the last at my dentist’s advice). I recently got rid of all my hair accessories, like hair ties, clips, hair bands, etc. I still like to look tidy but I’m certainly not out to impress anyone. I also go to the cheapest hairdresser I can find and pay less than thirty dollars every six weeks to maintain my hair cut. It bugs me that men with a similar hair cut pay about half that.
Gaby,
I second that! Gotta love our natural colour and pixie cut
I have always enjoyed the Joy of Two in the bathroom and the kitchen, for items we use regularly and continue to buy. This way, when one empties, I write on my grocery list that we need a new one. We rarely forget and rarely, therefore, run out of things.
Like you, I have one type shampoo, one conditioner,one moisturizer–just two containers of each (unless the item would expire too fast; then I keep only one.) There has never been the temptation to go down a slippery slope and buy 3, 5, or 81 backups.
To simplify, 50 or so yrs. ago, I eliminated make-up and jewelry except wedding ring from my life. It works!
I admit that I keep a travel bag packed and ready to be taken out of the cupboard at a moment’s notice. It holds duplicates of everything I use for my morning and evening grooming/beauty routines. I keep it because then I don’t have to think; don’t have to worry; don’t have to pack. Just grab and go! I suppose I could keep an empty travel bag and then throw all my one’s (one shampoo, one mascara, one brush, etc) into it, but I don’t see that happening. So, I will keep my ONE packed travel bag! : )
I am already almost there. Highly sensitive skin (doesn’t respond well to fragrances, aloe vera, mineral oil, witch hazel, or alcohol) so by necessity I had to find the few products and cosmetics that work with my skin! So I have one face cleanser, one lotion, one hair product, one liquid foundation, one mascara, two eyeliners (one pencil & one liquid), one eyeshadow kit, one lip balm, and one thick lip pencil. I have one brand of shampoo and conditioner I use in the shower, one bar of soap, one small bottle of shower gel, one razor.
I do get tempted while shopping and pick up extra lipsticks but end up not using them at all and they clutter up my bathroom drawer.
Weakness: nail polishes. I have some dark ones, some colorful ones, some clear ones, and some pale ones! Need to pare down that little container of polishes. It’s a work in progress.
Getting ready in the morning doesn’t take long. I may have makeup available but if I’m in a hurry, I put on liquid foundation where needed, some mascara on my pale lashes, and slick on some lip balm and lip pencil. When I get ready at the gym, I’m not like everyone else who brings a big kit along from which to get ready (multiple hair products, multiple hair tools (dryer, straightener), big makeup kit). While they are getting ready at the mirror, I walk up, apply my small amount of makeup, use the dryer attached to the wall to quickly dry my long, one-length hair, and I’m done. I get looks from them as I walk away while they continue getting ready!
I have one of every toiletry. However, I have more than one in the makeup department! It’s a guilty pleasure of mine. I don’t have an excessive amount but it’s bigger than you would expect from a minimalist. I’m okay with that though, it brings me happiness and is something I look forward to every morning.
All this make-up strikes me as a very British and American thing – my husband just commented on it again recently when we were in England, the women all seemed to be wearing masks. The girls around here who wear a lot of make-up usually thereby identify themselves as eastern or south-eastern Europeans who seem to also feel the need.
I feel lucky to have grown up outside this culture of necessity, though I enjoyed trying out coloured make-up in my teens and 20s. With kids I simply didn’t have the time. I am lucky to have dark eyes and lashes that don’t really need anything much. Never having had nice skin I spent a fortune on potions that never helped. Now I know that the less I put on it, the better! Amazing what lotions and potions women use, I find it quite mind-boggling to see the array, positively overwhelming.
Gradually I have got rid of everything I used to have/buy. Now my routine is talcum powder or a simple deodorant and I try to use just one shower gel or bar soap and shampoo (a simple supermarket one that got excellent ratings for being free of toxic chemicals). I will very occasionally use a little almond oil as necessary, under €1 in the baby department of the supermarket, lasts years. Dominique Loreau gives great advice on the most simple of routines – scrub and oil :) I keep a small tub of no-brand petroleum jelly that lasts me years, too, for dry spots and as a lip salve. A tiny tin of rose-scented petroleum jelly lives in my handbag. One of my two eye pencils is also in there, plus a concealer stick just in case plus my everyday lipstick (when I remember), a medium “lip” colour. And a wide-toothed comb for my long greying curls (I am in my 50s) – I do not own a brush and let my hair dry naturally, which it does very nicely. In my make-up bag at home and for travelling is the other eye pencil and a mascara but I don’t use them often, only if I want to look particularly smart going out.Tweezers complete my beauty routine. There is a red gloss on my dressing table but it’s probably too old and should be tossed; doesn’t really suit me or my life.
My DH meant well and bought me a huge basket of toiletries that will take me a year to use up but I asked my daughter to help out with that lol! He likes to take me out and then I do make the effort to wear the lipstick and eye liner/mascara or some nail varnish as well as some of the few bits of jewellery I have. I have a red and a gold varnish but haven’t used them much the past two years, as I found they make my toes prone to fungus – I prefer the gold in summer but am fine going without, even in flipflops. These are the only colours I sometimes like to use.
I would be happy with one perfume but thanks to my generous DH I do have three or four and still forget to use them regularly. So far nobody seems to be avoiding me so I guess it’s not a problem… On the contrary, I find it quite offensive to have so many strong smells around me when I am in more densely populated places where women pile on the scent.
I have been gradually getting rid of extras over the past eight months. A couple years ago I switched to the ‘No Poo’ method of washing my hair with just baking soda. Now I wash my hair with honey, and may even switch to just water washing eventually. When my last conditioner is gone, I will be switching to using only coconut oil. Coconut oil is what I use on my lips and face too, and when all of my lotions are gone I will be using just coconut oil on the rest of my body too. My skin is so soft on my face and my skin has never looked better.
I have always had a hard time with decision fatigue, and the amount of beauty products out there now is so very overwhelming. As I have been getting down to less and less it has been very enlightening and freeing. I am now loving my increasingly simple bathroom. Getting ready has become a breeze. I have truly become a wash and go gal.
It’s fun seeing everyone’s take on this! I did it the easy way (or was it the hard way?) — I was a “nomad” for 2 years when our house had a blg mold problem, which made me very sick. I got down to powder foundation, 1 eye shadow used as a soft liner, Chapstick and 1 lipstick. If I had good skin I’d use less than that. Soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, hand lotion. Haven’t used nail polish since then. It was easy to throw out all the stuff I left behind! I recently had eye surgery, so couldn’t wear any eye makeup, and may not go back.
I go back and forth about “minimalist” hair, though. I currently have a shortish cut which can air dry with my natural wave. But of course it needs regular cuts, which not every stylist is good at, plus some “product”. So at times I think long hair, probably twisted up at the back at my age, would be simpler. Either way, I’m happy with my natural graying color. Sparkly, not gray! (Feel like doing a post on hair, Francine?)
I’m with many of you — I fail miserably when it comes to purses!
Shared by family: soap, shampoo bar, toothpaste, dental floss and mouthwash. My skin routine also adds sensitive skin moisturizer, face sunblock, homemade body butter, natural deodorant, and silicone free conditioner. I own eye liner, lip stain and eye shadow. Only use the eye liner maybe once a month. Will dispose of eye shadow/ lip stain soon as they are close to best before date. I don’t put soap on my face – just water. My hair is comb and go (long wavy hair). Hair is washed every 5-7 days (when it needs it) – goodbye frizzy hair! For those looking to switch to shampoo bars, make sure you have soft water. Hard water makes the natural hair feel like plastic.
Since reducing the products I use and ensuring healthy living, my skin has never looked better.
“For my part, there was a time when I would have laughed at the notion of limiting my bath and beauty products to one of each. Variety is the spice of life, right? But then I started to travel, and in the interest of packing lightly, did precisely that on my trips.”
=> Exactly!
And then when I settled in a new place, I was not working full time all the time so I found myself with a minimalist income then stayed in that minimalist possessions way of life.
“So I narrowed down my everyday products to the following: one soap, one shampoo, one face cleanser, one toothpaste, and one moisturizer with sunscreen. For cosmetics, I have one mineral powder, one concealer, one lipstick, one blush, and one eyeshadow (the latter two for more formal and professional occasions).”
=> Yup! One shampoo, one soap (I use to have a rainbow of shower gels), one toothpaste, two lip balms (one at home, one in my purse), coconut oil as face moisturizer, two creams (one for the hands and body, one for the feet). I completely ditched make-up 2 years ago.
“It seems trivial, but those hundreds of little decisions we make every day—like what moisturizer or makeup to use—can add up to some serious decision fatigue.”
=> So true! In my early twenties, I used to spend hours trying to match outfit to shoes to make-up to accessories to hairstyle! Now I just get showered and get dressed and that’s it :)