Guide
Relax from the get-go: lightweight luggage for your yoga trip
by Anika Schulz
Too much beauty stuff? 4 rules to combat the chaos
14.10.2025
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Pictures: Natalie Hemengül
A few months ago, I had one of those moments – the kind where you open a drawer and immediately regret it as you’re hit by a sea of product that’s fallen into disuse. I’ve since changed my ways. To avoid falling back into old habits, these are the rules I now stick to.
I’ve done a ruthless cleanout. Now I want to keep the space I’ve created. Or, better yet, declutter some more, because I still own more than I actually need – especially when it comes to cosmetics. This mission is really putting my discipline to the test. So, I drafted a few rules for myself – and before I could blink twice, I had slipped straight into the realm of so-called Project Pan.
My personal rulebook
First off, a quick disclaimer: I’m applying these principles to products I buy with my own money. While I do sometimes apply them to PR products, I can’t fully control what I receive. For this reason, they’re out of scope in my undertaking.
1. No repurchasing until it’s truly empty
I only repurchase a product when I’ve fully used it up and nothing else in my stash can do the job. For instance, if I’m running low on body scrub, I have alternatives: I’ll mix that jar of coconut oil I once bought for oil pulling (and never touched again) with some sugar and baking soda. Out of body lotion? I’ve still got that face moisturiser I rarely reach for lying around somewhere.
I do make exceptions for the handful of truly irreplaceable beauty products I rely on, like my holy grail serum.
2. Repurpose, don’t replace
Some purchases simply don’t live up to expectations. What then? A few months ago, I’d have either given them away or, if they were truly bad, trashed them – and immediately bought something new. But that did neither my wallet nor the environment any good.
My new motto: bought a dud? Suck it up, buttercup! I’m no fan of self-inflicted suffering, but forcing myself to feel the consequences of a bad purchase definitely makes me think twice next time. I’m playing the long game.
In order to actually stick to this rule, I’ve got creative and have started repurposing products. This cleanser’s no good for my face? Then I’ll use it as shaving gel. That oil serum would be great in winter when my skin’s dry, but will probably go bad before then? My elbows are more than happy to get some extra love in autumn.
3. Use all the samples
I’ve got into a habit of immediately chucking product samples – perfume, lotions, serums, etc. – into a box. They’ll come in handy for travel, right? Vacations have come and gone, yet those little samples somehow stayed behind. I’ve since declared war on this habit. The samples are now smack dab in the middle of my cabinet, and I use them on the daily.
4. Restocks: one and done
Hygiene products like hand soap, toothpaste and shampoo run out quickly, so it makes sense to keep a spare. Emphasis on «a» – I used to go overboard and stockpile enough product to last two years. The result was clutter and no room for changing needs or trying new things. My new rule is simple: one spare per product type, tops. When it comes to value packs, I’m admittedly still on the fence. They’re a double-edged sword.
Do you have any tips or rules of your own for keeping excessive consumption in check? Drop them in the comments!
Header image: Natalie Hemengül
Natalie Hemengül
Senior Editor
Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.chAs a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
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