Although I am not a huge make-up person, for some reason I tend to be a make-up hoarder. What can I say? Everything always looks so pretty in the store and I am a sucker for cute packaging. Anyways, since this is my month for bathroom organizing I thought that it would be a good time to go through and organize all of my make-up as well. So here are some of my easy tips for how to organize your makeup and when to toss old items.
With the busyness of day to day life, I usually only have time to put on the “basics” but I do have quite a bit of other make-up that I like to use for special occasions or if I actually have a bit of extra time {okay, that last part never actually happens}. To make things easier for me, I decided to organize my make-up into two different categories – ones that I will use on a regular basis and ones that I will less frequently. Regardless of how you want to organize your own make-up, there are a few simple steps that you can follow:
STEP ONE
Toss anything that is expired or smells funny. I just did a visit to Sephora a couple of weeks ago and here is what I was told for the shelf life of make-up:
- Concealer: Up to 12 months
- Powder: 2 years
- Foundation: 12 months for water-based; 18 months for oil based
- Pencil Eye Liner: up to 3 years
- Lip Liner: up to 3 years
- Eye Shadow: up to 3 years
- Mascara: 4-6 months
- Lipstick – 2-3 years {shorter in hot climates}.
**NOTE: Recommendations for shelf like due vary from source to source so use this as an approximation only.
STEP TWO
Go through everything and toss what you don’t like or are no longer wear. Try the shades out to make sure that you like them on you rather than just in the packaging!
STEP THREE
Decide how you want to store your makeup. This is the fun part! Kitchen utensil organizers, spice racks, or a small bins and baskets are great for storing make-up in a drawer. Here are a few simple ideas that I found…
{Kitchen Drawer Organizer: source}
If you are short on drawer space but still like this method of organizing, look for acrylic or other drawer systems that can be stored on your countertop.
{source}
This magnetic make-up board from Liz Marie Blog is another fun option. You could also try a smaller version and mount it on the inside of your cupboard doors.
If you are short on drawer space but still like this method of organizing, look for acrylic or other drawer systems that can be stored on your countertop.
{source}
This magnetic make-up board from Liz Marie Blog is another fun option. You could also try a smaller version and mount it on the inside of your cupboard doors.
For me, I like to store my make-up in a portable make-up bag. This way, I can easily pack up for weekend getaways, trips to the pool, or times that I put my make-up on in the car {yes, I sometimes put my make-up on in the car but only when Dave is driving!}. I have had a lot of different make-up bags in the past but my all-time favorite is this Lay-N-Go bag that I use now.
It packs up nice and compact but actually holds a lot more make-up than I was expecting. I love how it lays flat so I can find everything instead of trying to rummage through a make-up bag.
I typically store my brushes in this glass container at home but I can always throw a few into the bag as well if I am taking off somewhere. {I will be posting about How to Clean Your Brushes tomorrow}.
I like to have my countertops fairly clear of clutter so I store everything in a basket underneath the sink. It’s easy to pull out and cleans up nice and quick!
My other less used makeup is stored in this jewellery organizer that I found at Home Sense.
So how do you like to organize your make-up? I would love to hear your ideas!
This post is part of my Household Organization Diet series. You can join in anytime – just start with these two posts here and here. If you are looking for past projects, you can find them all on my Pinterest board}.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Excellent ideas!!! I know what you mean about the hoarding. My daughter is now a teen, and anything makeup is a necessity to keep. It’s all on MY bathroom counter and is a messy jumble of colors. Loving your ideas here! I’m hoping to find one that works for her…
LOVE the acrylic storage for makeup! Right now I don’t have a vanity and everything is thrown into my makeup bag. You’ve inspired me to clean it out!
This is fabulous, what great ideas! I travel so much I always keep mine in a travel case. I wish I could have a cute bathroom like these! Thanks for the inspiration – maybe in the future!
Awesome ideas! I like your idea of keeping it under the sink. I have a small vanity now but am thinking of getting rid of it so keeping it under the sink would work well for me! Thanks for sharing!
Selene @ restorationbeauty.com
Great ideas! I am an Independent Thirty-One Consultant and we have some great products for make-up storage too; check them out at mythirtyone.com/tracybillet/
I wish I had a fabulous organizer for make-up! I feel like I never wear what I should, yet it is all over the place! Thanks for the tips!
Take care,
Trish
I love that lay and go bag! I am going to have to order one for myself. thanks!
I love the idea of storing your brushes in that glass jar with the pebbles! So pretty and a great decor addition!
Thanks for the tips, Jenn! Love all the organizing inspiration : )
Liz
LOVE all these ideas! I’ve been on an organizing kick lately! Definitely pinning these for later use :o)
I think you would be horrified at the way I don’t organize my makeup, I am hoping that a little bit or organizing rubs off on me from you when we hang out!! :o)
Jaime
Lots of great ideas, Jenn!! I’m a make-up hoarder, too {my mom buys Clinique and has given me every bonus bag she’s ever gotten!! I need to implement some of these ideas!
😉
I had no idea you could keep powder for that long! Love these ideas!
I always leave your blog feeling the overwhelming desire to organize something! And my makeup definitely needs it!
This is great! I have tons of makeup…I love makeup…I am unorganized…can you just come to my house for a month?
I just organized my makeup drawer 2 days ago!! It was needing it for a long time. I love the ikea drawer organizer you pictured with the eyeliner, etc… stuff in it. I’m going to have to look for something like that. Thanks for sharing!
This is very good. I needed the inspiration to do mine. Awesome!
I would love if you link this to my link party Monday morning!
XO
Isabelle
http://lechateaudesfleurs.blogspot.com/
Great post. I had no idea on how long to keep some of my make up. I think I need to clean out my bathroom today. 🙂
Come over to my blog and share today! http://houseofthriftydecor.blogspot.com/
thanks for share.