Out with the old

SHOPPING addict, habitual hoarder or clutter queen, no matter what your vice is, January is all about cutting back on excess. And if you can’t bear to give up on the chocolate and red wine, chucking out redundant outfits and cosmetics is the next best thing to curbing the junk.

Whether you’re deluged with new stylish treats from Santa Claus or you’ve gone mad in the Christmas sales, now is the ideal time of year to go out with the old and in with the new.

“Decluttering is not all about throwing away your memories. It is all about getting rid of real junk – the stuff that is neither useful nor beautiful,” says Cassie Tillett, professional declutterer and co-founder of apdo-uk.co.uk.

“If it is useful or beautiful, getting rid of the other stuff gives you a chance to find it, use it and appreciate it. One of the positive sides to decluttering is that the more we search for objects to throw away, the more we rediscover delights we haven’t seen for years.”

No need to go into a minimalism panic for the new year. Detoxing your style should make life chic and simple for 2011 and beyond.

WARDROBE WHIZZ
Forget the cliched “new you” claptrap and turn your attentions to “new year, new wardrobe” instead.

“If you haven’t worn an item for five years, unless it’s an heirloom or a very expensive piece, get rid!” advises X Factor stylist Grace Woodward.

There are 2.4 billion pieces of clothing lying unworn for an entire 12 months (some brand new) cluttering the nation’s wardrobes, according to UK Government statistics. In fact, the average UK woman spends almost £13,000 on clothes she’ll never wear in a lifetime.

“It’s important to detox your wardrobe twice a year,” advises wardrobe expert Julia Dee (totalwardrobecare.co.uk).

“The majority of us suffer from limited space and there is nothing more frustrating and overwhelming than opening crammed wardrobes. It’s always impossible to find anything and can be quite stressful.”

CLOTHING CLEAR-OUT
For the indecisive and sentimental among us, throwing out old clothing we’re attached to can tug on the heart strings. Dee recommends setting aside a few hours – or ideally a whole day – for your wardrobe cull and persuade a friend to help you decide which pieces make your 2011 cut. Be bold and get your wardrobe detox started with Dee’s top tips:

■ Turnout: Be ruthless, when was the last time you wore it?

Swap with friends or sell on eBay and remember two new things in = two old things out.

■ Organise: Sort pieces into three sections – the good, the bad and the ugly. The good section are items that stay, the bad either need mending or altering and the ugly are destined for either charity shops or listings on eBay.

■ Repairs: If any buttons have fallen off, zips broken, hems fallen, or clothes have become too big or small, take them to be altered and repaired. Don’t leave anything in the wardrobe that requires any alteration, chances are it will not be worn.

■ Spring clean: Prepare your wardrobe and drawers for the new season’s clothing. Take everything out, wash, dust and vacuum and clear out any bad vibes with a product like the Clearing and Cleansing Aroma Mist Spray (makeripples.com).

■ Feet first: Shoes and boots always need a good clear out and will often need polishing, cleaning and taking to the cobblers. They should always be stored with either boot or shoe trees.

COSMETICS CULL
Start the New Year fresh-faced by decluttering your make-up bag and sifting through your bathroom cabinet. Eye-catching products may look pretty on display, but don’t forget they have a limited shelf-life.

Almost half of women are unhappy with the products they use to combat their beauty demands, according to a recent Tesco Your Beauty survey, meaning piles of redundant lotions and potions.

“Don’t be tempted to buy every new fragrance or beauty potion that’s out there,” warns Ingrid Jansen, founder of Organise Your House (organise-your-house.co.uk).

“Mascara has the shortest shelf-life of all make-up, so change after six months. Other make-up will last between one and two years, with eyeshadows lasting up to 36 months. Perfume can go off, so expect a shelf-life of between 18 and 24 months. If it smells bad throw it away.”

Keeping your tools of the trade scrupulously clean will help you apply make-up with accuracy and banish bacteria.

Jansen advises: “Regularly clean make-up applicators and sponges in warm soapy water and leave to air dry. Clean your hairbrushes in the same way, rinse well, and dry by putting on a paper towel.”

MINIMAL MAIDEN
The easiest way to downsize your cosmetics stash is embracing multi-use products with two or even three times the benefit in one tube.

Not only will you have to room to manoeuvre in your make-up bag but you’ll also save valuable minutes in the mornings.

“I can’t resist a beauty product that saves time and leaves me looking great, so I invest in products that can multi-task,” says Catherine de Groot, Trilogy co-founder (trilogyproducts.com). “For example, instead of applying foundation, I now use a tinted moisturiser with SPF.”

Cutting back on the quantity of your beauty goodies doesn’t mean compromising on looking good.

The basis of many products is the same so you can double or triple up on its uses. If you can squeeze just one product into your handbag, opt for a one-fits-all balm.

“They are fantastic multi-taskers and can be used to avoid stretch marks, soften cuticles, and moisturise dry skin everywhere from elbows to feet – saving valuable time when getting ready for work or evening drinks,” says Catherine de Groot.