How To Organize Your Makeup Collection

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Organizing your makeup collection can be a daunting task, especially if you have a large number of products. However, with the right strategies and tools, you can transform your beauty routine into a seamless and enjoyable experience. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to declutter, categorize, and organize your makeup collection, ensuring that you can find what you need quickly and easily.

Step 1: Declutter Your Makeup Collection

Before you start organizing, it's essential to declutter your makeup collection. This step is crucial because it helps you understand what you have and what you need. Here are some tips to help you declutter:

1. Create a Makeup Inventory

   • Start by making a list of all the products in your collection. This can be done using a spreadsheet, bullet journal, or even an app like Temptalia’s Vanity. Having a digital inventory allows you to easily sort and find products based on various parameters such as brand, type, or color.

2. Identify Unused Products

   • Go through each product and ask yourself if you have used it recently. If you haven’t used a product in over a year, it might be time to consider letting it go. This step is about making room for the products that bring you joy and serve a purpose.

3. Address Common Excuses

   • Sometimes, we hold onto products because of emotional attachment or because we think we might regret getting rid of them. To overcome this, put the products you're unsure about into a box and store it in a place where you rarely see it. After a few weeks, revisit the box and see if you miss any of the products. If not, it's likely safe to get rid of them.

4. Consider the Packaging

   • If you're holding onto a product solely because of its packaging, remember that it's just a container for the product. If the design is what's keeping you from getting rid of it, consider displaying it as art or finding a creative way to reuse the packaging.

Step 2: Categorize Your Makeup Collection

Once you've decluttered your collection, it's time to categorize your products. This step helps you see what you have and where everything belongs. Here’s how to do it:

1. Sort by Category

   • Gather all your makeup products and sort them into categories such as foundations, eyeshadows, mascaras, lipsticks, etc. This will give you a clear view of what you own and help you identify duplicates or unnecessary items.

2. Use a System for Intake and Exit

   • Implementing an intake system means that every new product you buy goes through a process before being added to your collection. This could include testing it out, checking expiration dates, and deciding whether it fits into your existing categories. An exit system helps you get rid of products that no longer serve you. This could involve donating or recycling items.

Step 3: Organize Your Makeup Collection

After decluttering and categorizing, it's time to organize your makeup collection in a way that makes it easy to find what you need quickly. Here are some tips:

1. Use Makeup Organizers

   • Invest in makeup organizers that can hold your daily essentials within reach on your vanity desk. These organizers come in various sizes and styles, from small compartments for lip liners to large drawers for eyeshadow palettes.

2. Utilize Drawer Dividers

   • Drawer dividers are handy for keeping products organized within drawers. They prevent items from moving around when you open the drawer, making it easier to see everything at once. Brands like Vtopmart offer affordable options that work well with IKEA Alex drawers.

3. Micro-Organize Makeup

   • Micro-organizing involves sub-categorizing everything within your makeup collection. This means dividing products into smaller groups like pressed powders, highlighters, blushes, etc. Using dividers and small compartments inside drawers helps keep things in place while also looking cute.

4. Stackable Solutions

   • Stackable solutions like shoe drawers from The Container Store can easily hold beauty products and stack neatly on top of each other. These are particularly useful for larger items like skincare products or hair care tools.

5. Over-the-Door Organizers

   • Over-the-door organizers can create additional storage space anywhere in your home or bathroom. These organizers come with dividers that allow you to stand up products, essentially creating a new closet of shelves.

6. Label Your Storage

   • Labeling your storage drawers not only looks cute but also holds you accountable. It forces you to take a moment and put things where they belong, making it easier to find what you need.

7. Clean Your Makeup Brushes

   • Keeping your makeup brushes clean is another essential part of maintaining an organized makeup collection. Use a stand that doubles as storage and a place for them to dry, ensuring they are always ready for use.

8. Sanitize Your Makeup

   • Sanitizing your makeup will keep bacteria out longer and help preserve shelf life once opened. Use pure eighty percent alcohol to clean eyeshadow palettes and dip lipstick into a tiny glass of alcohol for sanitizing.

Conclusion

Organizing your makeup collection is not just about aesthetics; it's about creating a system that works for you. By decluttering, categorizing, and organizing your products, you'll save time and reduce stress when getting ready. Remember, it's about making your collection work better for you, not about having the most or the least. With these steps and tips, you'll be well on your way to having a beautifully organized and functional makeup collection.

Additional Tips for Specific Products

Eyeshadows

• Palette Organization: Use an eyeshadow palette organizer to keep your favorite shades within reach. This can be especially useful if you have multiple palettes.
• Cleaning: Clean eyeshadow palettes by dipping a piece of paper in alcohol and wiping off the first layer of eyeshadow. Spray the palette with alcohol and let it dry.

Lipsticks

• Lipstick Organizer: Invest in a lipstick organizer that can hold multiple lipsticks in a compact space. This keeps them from getting jumbled and makes them easy to find.
• Sanitizing: Dip lipstick into a tiny glass of alcohol for sanitizing. This helps preserve the product and keeps it free from bacteria.

Mascara and Eyeliner

• Expiration Dates: Check the expiration dates regularly. Mascara and eyeliner typically have a shelf life of 3-6 months.
• Storage: Store mascaras and eyeliners in a cool, dry place to extend their shelf life. Consider using a small compartment in your makeup organizer for these products.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overbuying: Avoid buying products on impulse or because they are popular. Take time to think about whether you really need the product and if it fits into your existing collection.
2. Not Labeling: Failing to label your storage drawers can lead to confusion and disorganization. Make sure to label each compartment so you know exactly what you have.
3. Not Cleaning: Neglecting to clean your makeup brushes and products can lead to bacterial growth and reduced shelf life. Regularly clean your brushes and sanitize your products.

By following these steps and tips, you'll be able to create a well-organized makeup collection that makes your beauty routine easier and more enjoyable. Remember, it's all about finding a system that works for you and keeping your collection manageable and functional.