Step 1: Get rid of anything that doesnt bring you joy.

Kondo believes in organizing everything at once to avoid sliding back into bad habits  and she has a very specific technique for paring down your belongings. She recommends gathering everything together by category and then holding each item in your hands one at a time. Dig deep and ask yourself if the product truly brings you joy. If not, out it goes. There is no room (literally) for guilt here and no compromisingyou can do it!

This does not mean that you must pare down your beauty collection to only the products that you use every single day. While you should be throwing out old and expired products periodically (more on that here), there is no need to deprive yourself of products that you maybe dont use often but still bring you joy to own.

Now, you may be thinking to yourself, my deodorant doesnt bring me joy but Im certainly not throwing it out! Kondo suggests changing your perspective on what represents joy in your life. Consider that your deodorant, body wash, or other grooming products make you smell lovely, and in that way you may begin to feel joy towards them. (And if you still dont feel joyful about your deodorant, perhaps its time to invest in a new one. May I suggest Arrows PROTECT Aluminum-Free Deodorant?)

Step 2: Display your products in a beautiful way

Now that youve gotten rid of superfluous products, its time to organize them. Kondo says, Makeup is to make yourself beautiful so its very important to store it in a beautiful way. I personally like the way lucite trays, like these ones from Isaac Jacobs, look on my vanity, but its most important to find a solution that speaks to you. Trays, or even antique mirrors or picture frames are all lovely options.

Just as important for your organization is keeping your products clean. So wipe off your foundation, clean your brushes often (a nifty tool like this makes that more fun!), and don't leave any spills.

Ultimately, a cleaner, less cluttered home, filled with only products that truly bring us joy, helps to make us all feel a little clearer and we think it will do the same for you. Heres to starting 2019 on that note!

P.S. You might be wondering why Birchboxa beauty companywould be advocating downsizing the number of beauty products you own. Its because Birchbox believes in helping you find the right products for youthe ones that bring you true joyand not wasting time on the other ones. We think delivering samples that are targeted to your beauty profile so you can try them in the privacy of your own home is the best way to do that. If youre ready to stop wasting time and money buying the wrong products, learn more here.

Follow Marie on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Download the Marie Kondo official app to get help organizing your own home.

The organizing guru gives us tips for cutting back on the beauty clutter.

Ive been a fan of [Marie Kondo](https://konmari.com/) since her bestselling book, *The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up* landed in the US in 2014. Its a catchy concept: Kondo promises that following her organization method once will transform your home (and life!) for good. Its catnip for someone who suffers from clutter like I do. Kondo only touches on beauty products briefly in her book so I decided it was worth digging deeper and thankfully she was up for Skype sesh (straight from Japan!) to chat about her specific tips on how to edit down all our favorite products. Heres how to kickstart your new & improved life with an organized beauty collection.  


####Apolis Transit Issue Travel Candle

One of our favorite parts of the wildernessand one of the hardest parts to captureis the smell: pine needles, fresh moss, and the earthy scent of the undergrowth. This hand-poured candle pairs a hint of fig with the woodsy aroma of cypress, all in a portable jar.


####Izola Balsam Pillow

If you're looking for a scent that's a little more subtle, this pillow is right up your alley. Balsam fir needles provide an understated aroma, while a classic woodsman's motto lends your couch some lumberjack cred.


####Kikkerland Magnetic Bear Bottle Opener
More humane than a wall-mounted grizzly head, and far more useful, this tool strikes a perfect balance between character and convenience. Stick it on your fridge (or any metal surface) to ensure that no beer stays unopened for long.


####Profound Aesthetic Genuine Raw Leather Journal: Pocket Size

Some things are so damn beautiful you should own them purely on principle. This handcrafted notebook looks like a million bucks, smells like a million bison hidesoh, and there's paper inside you can write on, if you're into that sort of thing.


####W&P Enamelware Camp Mug Set

Made from porcelain fused onto heavy-gauge steel, this is one set of mugs that won't break in the sink. Keep them on your countertop for your morning cup of joe, then toss them in your mess kit when you venture into the wilderness.

If you can't build a house out of pine logs with your grandfather's double-edged axe...consider this the next best thing.

If you can't build a house out of pine logs with your grandfather's double-edged axe...consider this the next best thing. From rustic decor to everyday gear, here are five items no forester's home should be without.

5 Pieces of Campware That Will Turn Your Home into a Backwoods Cabin



###Birchbox Man: What is the most common bad habit that people make at home, as far as leaving a carbon footprint?
Scott McGillivray: Little things like leaving the lights on unnecessarily or leaving the AC on high all day while youre at work. Its all those small but bad habits that add up to a big carbon footprint  and a big cost. There are home energy monitors that [are] easily accessible to most homeowners and can really open their eyes as to their environmental impact.

What are three proactive things homeowners can do to be more green-friendly?

1. If you have air conditioning, adjust the temperature in your home by two degrees (cooler in the winter, warmer in the summer).

2. Upgrade all lightbulbs to energy-efficient LED bulbs and add dimmers if possible. 

3. Install a low-flow shower head (an easy DIY project that anyone can do). 

4. Upgrade to Energy Star-rated appliances. 

5. Switch out your traditional water heater for a tankless model.

What are the main questions that potential homeowners or renters should ask if they want to be especially conscious of energy consumption?

Homeowners can get a home energy audit which will really answer all the questions they might have (or didnt even think to ask) about where their home is performing well in terms of efficiency, and ways in which they can improve. Theyll find out whats the biggest energy drain in their home and be given a list of recommendations to fix the problem areas.

Renters can start by asking landlords smart questions about their unit: How old are the appliances? When were the windows last replaced? What type of heating/cooling system is in the apartment? Its also worth asking for small upgrades/repairs to your unit to help increase energy efficiency, like fixing drafty windows or doors.

Are certain cleaning products actually more eco-friendly than others?

Of course. Eco-friendly and natural products have come a long, long way in the past 5-10 years. Its now super easy to replace any cleaner you have under your sink with an eco-friendly alternative, and for the same price point. And I always feel that if you have an easy and effective eco alternative, why not use it? Its not just better for the environment, but its also better for your home and the health of your family.

So many real estate TV personalities have great hair (you, Jonathan Scott, Madison Hildebrand). Whose do you think is the best?

Wow, tough call. Not sure I can beat Madison in the hair department, but I think Ive got a leg up on Jonathan!

What is the secret to your TV-ready hair?

My hair kind of has a mind of its own. I dont use too much product, but hairspray is a necessity if Im going to be on camera on a humid day especially. Otherwise I just let it do its thing and hope for the best.

We chatted with the TV host to get a few "green living" ideas (and for some intel on his impeccable hair).  

[Scott McGillivray](http://www.scottmcgillivray.com) is a triple-threat when it comes to finding and upgrading a home: From real estate to financing to renovation, McGillivray's expertise has put him in the spotlight on numerous home-related [television programs](http://scottmcgillivray.com/shows), including ten seasons of HGTV's [Income Property](http://www.hgtv.com/shows/income-property). With so much experience under his tool belt, McGillivray also knows a few ways that renters and homeowners can be more eco-friendly (thus cutting costs and energy consumption). We chatted with him to get a few "green living" ideas (and for some intel on his impeccable TV-star hair).  

Go Green at Home: Eco-Friendly Advice from Scott McGillivray, HGTV's Real Estate Expert

Buff out small scrapes with a shelled walnut, which deposits an oil that make scratches disappear. For bigger dings, apply a damp washcloth to the wood and rest the tip of a hot iron on it for ten seconds. The steam will swell the wood to push out any dents.

This tip applies to clamshell packages, like those used for headphones and other electronics. Crack open one side of the shell with a rotary can opener, then slide a knife between the two layers to cut all the way around.

Sort cables on a power strip with labeled bread tags or doubled-up masking tape. Use a desktop organizer like Quirky Cordies to wrangle loose desktop cords.

Wrap a wet paper towel around each bottle and stick them in the freezer. You'll have cold beers before the end of the first quarter. To chill a single beer more quickly (were talking two minutes or less), try this chemistry-class hack with salt and ice water.

Carve out a hole in the middle of your lo mein (or whichever dish youre reheating). A donut-shaped pile of food heats evenly in the microwave, so you can avoid those dreaded frozen spots.

Space on a power strip is always at a premium, especially when you're dealing with bulky adapters that take up multiple slots. Quirky's Pivot Power (above) provides a novel solution, using flexible nodes that swivel to accommodate large adaptersand navigate awkward spaces.

After cleaning it out, avoid future messes by placing an old newspaper or folded paper bag at the bottom of the can. The paper catches any leakage from a broken bag.

Give the surface a good wipe down, then place a wooden spoon across any boiling pot in the future. The obstruction will keep your pasta from boiling over.

Pop a magnetic strip on the back of the cabinet door to keep small itemslike nail clippers, scissors, and tweezerseasily accessible.

Hang them in the bathroom while you're getting ready. The steam from your shower releases their wrinkles, eliminating the need for ironingor at least making the chore that much faster.

The internet is flooded with everyday household hacksso we rounded up the best to save you time and sanity. 

The internet is flooded with everyday household hacksso we decided to round up the best. Here are ten quick tips that will save you precious time, and hopefully preserve your sanity.

10 Clever Solutions to Common Household Problems

Many common shelving and assembly projects require precise measurements. The tape measurer ensures that everything fits and sits exactly how it should.

You probably know this tool as a box opener. Of course it works for that, but it also cuts thin wood and plastic, old caulking, or vinyl flooringthe list goes on. Use it to cut or trim any light item that needs to be sliced perfectly.

Get a hammer thats light and feels good in your hand, yet packs a punch. You'll primarily use this to sink nails into your walls to hang framed photos. (Though thats not why its called a framing hammer; it got its name from the crews that used to assemble building framework.)

Your hammering hand can't offer the same precision of a drill. Furthermore, a drill can cleanly remove the screws it first installs. Use a drill for lighter jobslike making a corn hole setbut also to hang heavier artwork. (Don't forget the anchors!)

This tool provides a masterful grip, perfect for extracting something stubborn like a nail. Buy a pair that has a sticky rubber handlewhich increases your gripping and pulling poweras well as side cutters to snip wires or cables.

Sometimes you need a bigger tool for the job at hand. These large pliers provide serious grip for anything that needs holding or turning, like a sink drain or shower head. Just make sure you turn off the water first.

A wrench is used for tightening and loosening nuts and bolts. Buy an adjustable one so that it can handle multiple jobs.

When a wrench won't do the trickwe won't blame your muscles, a socket will help clamp down and remove stubborn nuts and bolts. But don't forego the wrenchboth tools offer unique mobility for a range of needs.

Use your level to make sure your frames and shelves hang straight. A magnetic level makes the job easier by eliminating human error from shaky hands.

We saved one of the most obvious tools for last: A good screwdriver will prove useful on numerous household tasks, like removing the battery from the smoke alarm or tightening a wobbly doorknob. Buy a set that has a variety of shapes and sizes, or at least get a reversible one that offers both Phillips and flathead options.

You can tackle most simple home repairs with these ten instruments. 

If your home repair strategy is to hire an expert for every task, then you have a huge opportunity to save money. No one needs to pay a contractor $100 to come over and change a shower head or tighten a few screws. Arm yourself with the following tools and youll be able to tackle most minor jobs on your own. 

The 10 Essential Tools You Need to Start an All-Purpose Toolbox

Hey there!

How to Marie Kondo Your Beauty Products

5 Pieces of Campware That Will Turn Your Home into a Backwoods Cabin

Go Green at Home: Eco-Friendly Advice from Scott McGillivray, HGTV's Real Estate Expert

10 Clever Solutions to Common Household Problems

The 10 Essential Tools You Need to Start an All-Purpose Toolbox