As a beauty editor, my job is to test a lot of products. My apartment resembles my very own Sephora aisle. And when living in a small New York City apartment, things can get tricky. New products arrive daily, and suddenly, my lip glosses, face creams, and perfumes multiply overnight. It's a glamorous kind of chaos...until it's not. After too many mornings spent digging through drawers for that *one* bronzer (only to find three unopened ones behind it), I decided enough was enough.
I wanted my vanity and my routine to feel less cluttered. So I made beauty organization part of my routine, just like skincare and hair care. Think of it as self-care, but for my space. Ultimately, I've learned it's not about making everything perfect; it's just about systems that make my everyday routine smoother.
Now, every product has its place: my lip essentials aren't thrown into a random drawer; my skincare shelf, which exceeds the bathroom medicine cabinet, has a designated spot, and my "testing" pile actually makes sense. Ahead, the simple habits, makeup organizers, and storage solutions that keep my beauty collection in check.
Makeup Bag Must-Haves
Because I'm always testing something new or traveling to work or events, my everyday makeup bag is constantly in rotation. I've learned that the key is to have two: one that has a ton of compartments so I don't have to dig, and another that opens super wide and can fit everything from skincare to makeup.
This baby provides the space I need for all my beauty products when I travel. It doesn't have any organization compartments, but it's my go-to whenever I go on a trip. It makes things easy, and mine is customized with my name, which is super cute.
Acrylic Love Affair
Clear drawers, trays, and perfume towers might not seem exciting, but they've made a big difference in my life. Being able to see everything at a glance means I actually use it and know when it's time to replace it with something new.
There's a difference between cheap acrylic and luxury acrylic, and Etoile is the brand that does luxury right. They offer durable shelves, lazy Susans, and other organizers that are equally beautiful and functional.
Even though the price tag on this one is lower, it actually happens to be the best bang-for-your-buck I've discovered on Amazon. It houses all my perfumes and has lasted the past three years.
The "Currently Loving" Tray
This small tray is where I keep the five to 10 products I'm currently obsessed with or testing, so I don't have to rummage through my drawers every morning or night. I swap the products out on a weekly basis.
How stunning is this mirrored tray?! I keep all my makeup that I'm loving on it, like a lipstick or mascara. That way, when I'm finishing my look for the day, I won't forget that new seasonal lip shade or shadow color.
This faux marble tray (only $15!!) holds my go-to skincare products. I keep one of everything: an eye cream, face cream, toner, and serum.
Furniture That Doubles as Beauty Storage
Now this hack is my favorite. When my product collection needed more than a bathroom shelf, I knew it was time to invest in real furniture that looked like decor, but actually secretly held a full Sephora's worth of product.
This is the most beautiful dresser that looks like a bar cabinet in my living room, but it actually hides most of my makeup in its drawers. I use clear drawer organizers inside, allowing me to easily stack my palettes and compacts.
Instead of a medicine cabinet being only in the bathroom, I actually placed this super cute green one above my vanity desk. It's functional and practical.
The "Backstock" Bin
Every beauty editor or content creator has them, it the place where unopened products go that have yet to be tested. I keep mine tucked in a closet, labeled by category. It saves me time when I run out of something or need to rivisit a product for a story.
If I can tell you to invest in anything, it would be the clear drawers from The Container Store. You can see right through them, they're stackable, and they hold so much.
I also equally adore the hair tool organization system from The Container Store as well. It has a heat-resistant tray, so I can feel assured that nothing will burn when I place my curling iron or straightener down.
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