Save the details you actually forget

For each product, record the brand and product name, exact shade or variant, size, purchase source, status, and one useful personal note. Approximate purchase and opening dates are helpful when you know them, but do not invent precision you do not have.

Use clear product statuses

Unopened: owned but not yet in use.
In rotation: currently used with some regularity.
Favorite: a dependable product you would recommend or repurchase.
Benched: paused but not discarded.
Empty: finished, with a repurchase decision still to make.
Never again: not a fit, with a short reason saved.

Separate finishing from loving

You might finish a cleanser because it was adequate, not exceptional. Record whether you would repurchase and why. Price, availability, texture, shade match, packaging, and compatibility with the rest of your routine can matter as much as performance.

Check your history before buying

Before purchasing, search your collection for similar products, unopened backups, past shade notes, and never-again reasons. This short check is often more valuable than another generic recommendation because it reflects your own history.