I love it when you ask me for organizing advice over email or on my facebook page. Over the last 2 weeks I have heard lots of you asking questions and today I wanted to share the Q&As from two of my high school friends asking for help with their makeup storage and bathroom organization…
Hey girl! Hope you’re doing well. Wanted to pick your brain. Do you have any good ideas for make up storage?!
-Andrea
Andrea,
The key to storing makeup is having it visable so that you will use it. Last year my sister Ashlie and I did a post together showing how we organize our makeup. It is actually the second most popular post on Kuzak’s Closet ever! We each have a different method but they both work…here is a referesher of that post.
Thanks,
Mandy
How Ashlie Organizes…
I love my Vera Bradley make-up bag. I have a few other ones that I use when I travel, but this particular make-up bag has been helpful in keeping me and my daily makeup under control! I love that it is large enough for my full size containers of foundation and blushes, as well as all of my brushes, eyelash curlers, and daily moisturizers. It also has a zipper pocket on the top of it that I use to hold jewelry when I am on the go.
Another helpful thing that I have started to do is keep some of my make-up “extras” in a drawer in my bathroom. Inside the drawer I placed some little baskets and bins to contain some of the other daily products that I use. This little system has helped keep these products at arms reach. No more searching around in my dimly lit bathroom cupboards!
Because I found this little basket system so helpful I have also applied it to other products….I love that all of my nail polishes are together and ready for use! Now I can find the perfect shade without digging around in the basket I used to keep them in.
Velcro is my friend when it comes to organizing my makeup. In the house we are living in I am lucky to have a lot of drawer space in the bathroom vanity so I set up an easy to use makeup drawer. You could also set something up in a cabinet.
Walmart carries white drawer organizers in packs of 3 for only $0.99 so I picked up about six sets in a few different sizes. I like these because they are inexpensive and if they get yucky you get simply recycle them. You can find velcro in any craft department, I like to use the velcro dots because they are perfectly sized and precut.
Measure out the drawer and place the organizers where you want them to go before you use the velcro, once the velrco is attached to the drawer it is not easily removed. Once you know where you want them to go, place both of the velcro pieces to the bottom of the organizer. The bottom of the velcro once it is attached should be sticky, once it is applied, firmly place them in the drawer. Doing it this way you can guarantee your velcro dots match up. After they are attached you can pull the organizers out at anytime and then simply reattach the velcro when you put them back.
If you are reading this post thinking that there is no way your makeup could all fit into a drawer here is are some guidelines for how long you should be keeping all of those creams and powders…
It is important to sort through your makeup bags every month to get rid of the products you are no longer using and toss liners, mascaras, and shadows that could be full of bacteria. Below is a guide of when you should get rid of your makeup…
- Mascara : Every 3 months.
- Eyeliner: 1 year unless you use it with water, then it should be tossed after 6 months. Be sure to sharpen your pencils after each use to keep them clean.
- Foundation: If you use your fingers to apply it every 6 months, if you use a sponge every 12 months. Remember to wash your sponge out each week and replace it every three weeks.
- Cleansers & Moisturizers: Most of these products contain fatty acids which means they should be thrown out after 6 months.
- Nail Polish: Every 12 months, remember to store it in a cool dry spot. The best place is actually the fridge.
- Blush: Every 6 months.
- Makeup Brushes need to be washed every 2-3 months.
- Concealer: Up to a year.
- Eyeshadow and Pressed Powder: 2 years.
- Lipstick: 2 years if stored in a cool place.
- When in doubt sniff it out! If you don’t remember how old something is try smelling it, if it smells funky you know it is time to replace it.
- The clock on your makeup begins when you open it. A fun tip I suggest is to keep a sharpie in your makeup drawer so you can write the date you started using on the bottom.
Okay, here is the next reader question…
Hi Amanda,
I just moved to Wyoming and we have a great place but I have one problem, I hope you can help me with it. In our master bathroom we have a vanity that has no drawers in it. There is no room to add a shelving unit and not a whole lot of counter room. I was thinking about putting a short book case and using those storage cubes that are made out of fabric, just outside of the bathroom just so it’s easy access but are there any ideas you may be able to give me? Thank you a ton! –Amber
Hey Amber! I think the key to keeping your bathroom organized is taking advantage of all of the space under the sink. I would suggest using clear shoe boxes to group like items together. You can pull a box up on the counter at a time and if they get gross you can put them in the dish washer. Click here to read more.
Also, I have used a desk top organizer under the cabinets in other bathrooms, perfect for makeup and smaller items. You can pull each drawer out and use them on the counter and when you are done you can put the drawer back. Click here to read more.
I hope my answers will give you some inspiration to tackle an organizing project around your house this weekend! Let me know if you have a project that you would like my advice on!
Sheerilee says
I love this article on organizing makeup. I was organizing my bathroom today and this is really helpful. I have to really read yours and your sisters. Thanks.