Friday, November 19, 2010

33 You Asked: And I'm Not Makin' This Up!

A reader recently wrote and asked how I handle storing all my makeup supplies...

Brittany asked:

Hi Jen!

I absolutely love reading your blog. Your home is so organized, it makes me giddy! I love reading about all your projects and plan on trying some of them in my own home, whenever I get one! lol. I was wondering..how do you organize your make-up? I'm constantly trying to find the best way-baskets, bins, a bag...I'd really like to see how you keep all your make-up organized. Thanks for your time!

Brittany

Although I dream that someday my makeup storage could be a lot more oooh la la inspiring, like this:


or this:


or even able to use the genius idea of a cutlery organizer to corral all my goodies:

image courtesy of Centsational Girl

The matter of the fact is that I once again, I learned that less is more and have been trying to live more simplified.  I realized that I had WAY too many products.  Many that I never touched.  Mainly because the colors weren't right or because they were old and outdated.  I found that with the exception of eye shadow, I used the same makeup supplies each and every day.

So I tossed EVERYTHING that I didn't use.  Which was more than I care to admit or share, but let's just say, it was an eye opening experience.

Now, all of the makeup that I use, resides in this one, very pretty pink makeup bag.

   

What's inside?  Just the basics to make this gal feel a tad bit glam.


Face powder, blush, three eye shadows, floss, concealer, complexion makeup, eye roller, liquid lipstick, eye liner, mascara, tweezers, nail clippers, and brush applicators.  That's it!

I used to struggle keeping everything in a makeup bag for one reason only, and that was that my brushes wouldn't hold up and would make a huge powdery mess.  So I switched out the old damaged brushes and invested in some eco versions, that also solve the storage problem!

   

The brushes all have a slot inside this handy carrying case, and the face brush also compacts right inside to keep it not only from dusting the contents of the makeup bag, but ensuring a longer life expectancy!  I can't gush about these babies enough, they are oh so soft and feel magical each day!

The brush pack can be found here and the retractable brush can be found here.

And when not in use, they are very compact and toss nicely right inside the makeup bag!


And that's it!  The bag can easily go with me everywhere.  From the car to vacation and even from bathroom to bathroom.

A couple of other really quick random bathroom/makeup storage ideas I have done, just to add a little more interest to this post...

Think outside the normal toothbrush holder when corralling your toothbrushes on the counter, I really adore this pencil cup for ours:


And a larger white vase never gets tired, and is great for those random beauty supplies like deodorant, cleansers, spray conditioner, scrubbers, etc...


Find an extra bin or basket to store extra rolled up washcloths or hand towels and toss extra soaps in a pretty bowl or dish:


And lastly, before I switched to the makeup bag concept, I tossed my makeup brushes in a vase filled with pebbles.... worked pretty slick!


Any other tips for Brittany?  How do you all corral all of your beautifying goods?  Which frankly I am sure none of us really need since we are all truly beautiful without any makeup at all!


P.S.  Wondering how to take care of your brushes and how long to keep your makeup?  Check out this oldie post here!  And to see how I store my mani and pedi supplies, click here!

33 comments:

  1. Love the idea of putting brushes in a clear vase with pebbles so shic! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hooray ECOTOOLS! I talk everyone I know into making the switch -- they are amazing & sooo soft! I don't have the litle roll/organizer though yet. Might need to pop that on my xmas wish list =)

    Did you get a chance to check out my closet? haha im dying to see what you think! I wish I wasn't renting and could use your pretty wallpaper idea!!

    xoXOxo
    Jenn L @ Peas & Crayons

    ReplyDelete
  3. I saw this the other day (http://www.save-on-crafts.com/ices.html) and loved the look. Instead of pebbles they used glass beads. Very elegant.

    Jen, where is that top organizing unit from? Gorgeous!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Alice, I found the image here: http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/classic-makeup-vanity

    And I adore the vase version in the link you shared, now that is glam!

    xoxo,
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  5. I keep my makeup in a bag too. Just like you I had way too much I never used. So for a month if I used something it went in the bag. If after a month it wasn't in the bag I tossed it. Now it is so much easier when we go away for a night or weekend, because I just grab my bag and know I have everything I need.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have been trying to figure out how to store all my make-up for FOREVAH and I just realized that I need to PURGE, throw out and stick to what I USE all the time! I do admit that I change out eye shadow colors for the seasons as well as lipstick. In the Fall I wear a brownish reddish lipstick, winter a more red, etc. I saved some of these images, I LOOOVE the cutlery organizer idea!!!! Genius!!!! WHY didn't I think of that????? XO, Pinky

    ReplyDelete
  7. I store all my makeup in a Caboodles black makeup case. Looks like a professional makeup case. It holds everything, folds out for ease of use and when I'm done I latch it closed and put it back under the bathroom sink. Out of site and neatly contained. I purchased the makeup case at Bed Bath & Beyond and I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've got my eye shadows and blush in a little zipper case with all the brushes. It looks like a little trapper keeper. My lotions and potions are kept in little travel containers so I can jet away at a moments notice (yeah...right). Those little containers hold more than you think! I replenish from my bigger bottles every ~3weeks. I also use little gift boxes for things like nail clippers, eye lash curler, etc in the cabinet.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I recently did a HUGE make-up purge, too. I'm down to one small plastic container. Fits very nicely under my cabinet and I don't pull a muscle every time I get it out like I did with my gigantic Caboodle full of unused product! Plus it saves me tons of time in the morning because I'm not having to dig around all the stuff I don't use to get to the stuff I actually do!

    I love, love, love your site! I'm a semi-organized, artistic type who is working VERY hard at becoming more organized so I can have more time to be artsy. Clear as mud? Good. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have a feeling I would be mortified if anyone ever saw my makeup case. This is good weekend inspiration to take 15 and clean out anything that is never used, unhygeinic, or a bad color on me.

    Love your posts, as always

    Whitney

    a toast.
    www.whittheheck.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. LOL I use the exact same pencil cup for hairbrushes (and one more in the basement for actual pencils and pens :) )
    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  12. isn't it hard to throw away make up? how did you do it? i have some really nice (and expensive stuff) that i don't use all the time....but i am not ready to part with it, cause someday i may use it. i know there are "expiration dates" but i don't follow them either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a clear makeup bag of "daily" stuff, including brushes, that stays out on a shelf. Then I have two clear plastic shoebox containers that go in the closet, one for "eyes & brushes", the other for "face & lips"... divided that way only because that's how it split most evenly. So when seasons change, I'm going out, or I want a change, I go "shopping" in my two storage bins. I do try to be mindful of exp dates too.

      Delete
  13. I have a question for you. If you have already answered this, would you point me where? I have looked and haven't seen anything. I have the MOST awkward under the stairs closet. I have to organize it once a year (should be more than that) but it never stays. I'll send you a photo if you would like. HELP!! I am SOOOO tired of it! I've lived here 11 years, and I have had it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Heather!

    I really felt bad for a second when I tossed my makeup, but it had been months since I had touched it and it was taking up unnecessary space. By tossing it and only keeping exactly what I use each day, it's so much more simple. I thought about the "whys" when I tossed each item, outdated and wrong colors were 90% of the reasons for me. If you are having trouble parting with the good stuff, keep it or donate it to a friend that could/would use it if there is a reason you don't.

    xoxo!
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi KaKi!

    I agree, under stairs storage can be a pain, it is for us as well. As soon as I have a little extra dinero to invest in that space, I am heading right to Ikea to purchase some pieces from the ANTONIUS system. {http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/secondary_storage/11468/} I think these pieces would be an incredible solution for under the stairs, since it comes in a variety of heights {start with tall ones at the high part of the closet and work your way to lower units as the space shrinks. They also have a ton of basket options.

    Hope that helps a little. For now, we use plastic shelving in the tall section and rubbermaid bins towards the back. I find this works for now, but the bottom bins are very hard to get to since we have to remove all the ones stacked on top to get to it.

    xoxo!
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  16. love these ideas, i always feel like no matter how many times i put my make up back into place the next time i go to use it everything gets messed up again! thanks for the tips i will be using your organizational advice to its fullest!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I also use a clinique bag for my makeup. I just have a few of them ;) one for frequent/everyday stuff and one for my eye shadows.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love IKEA! The Antonius system does look divine! But I am like you, don't have the $$$ for now. Oh well. I will do my annual "clean out/organize" in January. We'll see if it will stick! :-) Thanks for taking the time to answer!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love this post because it made me realize that I need to purge as well. Purge more than I would like to admit too.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Where did you find the large white vanity?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was found via Google image search, I believe it was originally from PBTeen.

      xoxo!
      Jen

      Delete
  21. I would also LOVE to know where the white vanity is from. Can't find anything like it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was found via Google image search, I believe it was originally from PBTeen.

      xoxo!
      Jen

      Delete
  22. Can you tell me where you purchased the train rack in the bathroom? I've been looking for something like that.

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was actually from Target a few years back.

      xoxo!
      Jen

      Delete
  23. hey. i have a ton of makeup and one night i just sat down and went through all of it. i seperated it into sections like eyeliner and mascara together, eyeshadows, and lipsticks, ect. after that i put my most used makeup into cans and bins(tiny little baskets). i put everything i didnt use that often (halloween makeup and such) into a clear plastic sewing organizer. the little compartments ment for buttons were perfect for eyeshadows. after organizing it by height on a shelf in my boookcase (in my room). the finished look downsized my makeup clutter extravagantly.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I came across your blog via Pinterest and I heart it! To organize my makeup I snagged some faux leather desk organizing accessories from tj maxx which happened to match my bathroom decor colors. I use the tall pencil-holder one with several compartments for brushes and eyeliner, and the short one with a couple of square compartments to hold lipstick, compacts, and concealer. While the inside light blue color of them has faded slightly due to repeated cleaning, they seem to be holding up great after almost 2 years of daily use!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Um... Quick question. Where did you get the brush organizer?? Did it just come with the brushes? Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Brenna!

      It came with the brushes, they are the ecotools and I believe I found them at Target.

      xo!
      Jen

      Delete
  26. Could you update this???????

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi....where can i find the white organizer and the vanity/closet? Thx so much for posting this I LOVE IT SO MUCH!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I have the one of the smallest bathroom's ever...I'm talking 4 inches of counter space on each side and a cabinet...THAT'S IT! I bought a towel rack that stands over your toilet, got some clear fiberglass and cut it to fit each shelf so nothing would fall through the racks, and put all of my makeup and hair products! I did the same thing Jen did for toothbrushes...found a really cute soap dispenser and container (more like a pretty cup with a lid) at Wal Mart, took the lid off the container and plopped my toothbrush and toothpaste both in it!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking a moment to join in on the conversation! I read and appreciate each and every comment, however, I will remove any comment that I believe to be inappropriate, malicious, or spam-like. I would love for this comment section to be used as a place to engage in purposeful dialogue, I only ask that everyone remains constructive and considerate.

All comments will be moderated and may take a moment to appear.