How to Organize Your Beauty Products

Ditch the clutter and save money by figuring out which beauty products you actually use, and which are taking up space.

Getting Organized

A version of this article originally appeared on Learnvest.com.

Raise your hand if you have drawers, baskets, and cabinets filled with beauty products you don't use.

We thought so.

A cluttered beauty drawer might not seem like a big deal, and it might seem to have nothing at all to do with your finances. And yes, those shimmery turquoise and yellow nail polishes might have been only a dollar or two. But each year, American women aged 30 to 49 spend approximately $1,200 on cosmetics alone.

If it seems ridiculous to you, we agree. When we look at that cluttered drawer of unused items, we cringe a little bit. Cringe no more: Here the best ways to streamline your beauty regimen and clean out the excess—while still looking absolutely fab this summer.

The Value of a Smart Beauty Routine

Amazing beauty care isn't all about price; it’s often more about value, which is a combination of price and the number of times you’ll actually wear or use the item. So, that glittery eyeliner you got for $3 for New Year's? It's not as good in terms of value as the $30 powder blush you wore every day for six months until it was gone. (One was $3 per use and the other was 17 cents per use.)

To spend less on beauty while still maintaining your look, start making the smartest possible choices, which requires knowing what you love, what you’ll use, and what looks good on you.

Follow our instructions, and you'll have a perfectly organized beauty drawer, a simplified beauty routine and—best of all—you won't be wasting money on products you regret. To make the most of this exercise, consider getting out a pen and paper to really take stock of what you have, and what you don't need.