Get Organized! Cosmetics clutter and how to contain it

Know yourself.

What organization method suits you best? Conduct a personal investigation. Look through your bathroom, clothing, and books and make a list of the ways that you seem to naturally arrange your stuff. Are you quick at finding things by color, or perhaps you go more by shape? Now focus on your cosmetics. Is it more conducive to arrange products by function, or maybe it’s better to organize by brand? Whichever way you choose to categorize will depend on you and your collection. A box containing all lipsticks is great for a smaller collection, while a box of only MAC lipsticks is perfect for a brand-centric collector. A carton of blue nail polish would be perfect for an avid nail artist, while a box of blue everything would be better to pull from for when you need a particular shade. Whatever method you choose should make the most of your collection and space.

Keep it handy.

Are you a bathroom or a bedroom artist? Storing your collection of cosmetics where you use it will not only make your routine faster, it will put an end to that trail of shadows and glosses from one part of the house to the other. The closer you can keep all your cosmetics to your mirror the better, to avoid cluttering up your vanity, counter-top, or workspace with yesterday’s shades and dirty brushes. If your collection is at hand, you’re more likely to put things back right away.

Get Messy.

It may seem appealing to meticulously organize products in a rainbow-colored order, or arrange them in a perfectly flush line or stack. The problem is they are only going to look great until the next time you’re in a hurry (which, last time we checked, is nearly every day). A good strategy is to keep things grab-and-go friendly by piling categorized products into wide-mouth boxes, jars, and canisters. You’ll find what you need in a pinch, and feel guilt-free about shoveling items away before running out the door, making cleanup a breeze.

Make a favorites box.

Though we all love to experiment with up-to-the-minute shades, our old standards and everyday basics are always popping in to say hi. Why store these away when you’ll be taking them out daily? Keep a small box right by your mirror to fill with your foundation, brow pencil, mascara, clear gloss, and that lipstick you’ve been wearing nearly everyday for a month. You’ll be ready in no time with these familiar friends within reach.

Purge annually.

A monster-size collection is okay, as long as everything is well loved. Take the time once a year (if not more) to dig to the bottom of your bins and boxes and pull out unused items and spoiled products. Goopy nail polish and smelly lipstick aren’t worth keeping. Give away fresh products that aren’t your taste. Purging your collection with keep it manageable down the road, and keep you feeling organized.