Makeup Storage: Tips & Tricks

By Reisa Mehlman on October 15, 2010 12:53 PM

De-cluttering your makeup will give you more time and make selections easier!

If you're anything like me, your makeup area can become crowded very easily.  Here are some interesting (and pretty!) ways to help you sort through and organize your makeup area.

Designating a particular place, whether that be in your bathroom, bedroom or dressing area, helps.  So, make some room.

I purchased a vintage vanity, which is very helpful because it not only has a table top, but also has drawers for storage.  With all the local antique shops in our area, this is not necessarily costly.  A small table and chair can work just as well.

Sort your makeup by category:

Pencils & Tubes (i.e. lip gloss or mascara):  I like to see my choices and use crystal barware -- like highball glasses -- for pencils.  If you have a lot of pencils, you can divide them by type; for example, I have one glass for eyes and one for lips.Here, you have a choice.  If you don't have too many, one glass will do the trick.  I keep these on my vanity top, which makes it very handy and quick.

Shadows:  Silverware trays, which come in a variety of materials like plastic, bamboo and wood, can be found at stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond, T.J. Maxx, or even your local dollar store, work great.  I use wider trays for shadows with clear tops so I can see the colors, and for those that are compacts, I use narrower trays and store them standing.  If you have many shadows, you can even use stacking trays.

Lipstick & Blush:  Again, the silverware tray works great for these.  I prefer single trays, but you can use your imagination and use what works best for you!

Overall, I find that ease and time efficiency makes for easier application.  Sometimes, on a rushed, busy morning, this can mean the difference between makeup and no makeup!

While we're on the subject of makeup, I'd like to note that makeup freshness does expire.  If you notice a funny smell, please discard.  Generally, mascara has about a four to six month life span.  Be careful not to pump the mascara want into the tube, which will work air into the tube and cut down the lifespan of the product. 

These days, I'm tending towards makeup that contains natural ingredients, no preservatives or parabens.  As always, feel free to contact me here, on Facebook or at Living Well if you have questions or suggestions for articles!