I know firsthand how quickly a beauty collection can spiral out of control. It starts with a few essential products, but before you know it, you’re drowning in a sea of half-used lipsticks, expired mascaras, and mystery samples. Not only is a cluttered beauty kit overwhelming and time-consuming to navigate, but it can also lead to product waste and even skin irritation from using expired or contaminated products.
I’m a big believer in the power of a well-organized beauty kit. By taking the time to declutter, categorize, and store your products properly, you can streamline your routine, rediscover forgotten favorites, and ensure that you’re using your products safely and effectively. Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about opening up a tidy, organized makeup bag or skincare shelf.
You’re ready to get your beauty stash under control, read on for my top 4 tips for organizing your beauty kit like a pro. Whether you’re a makeup minimalist or a beauty hoarder, these strategies will help you create a functional, efficient, and enjoyable beauty routine. Let’s dive in!
1. Declutter Your Beauty Collection
The first step in organizing your beauty kit is to do a thorough declutter. This means going through every single product in your stash and deciding what to keep, what to toss, and what to give away. I know it can be tough to part with products, especially if they were expensive or have sentimental value. But trust me, decluttering is essential for creating a functional, streamlined beauty kit.
So, how do you know what to keep and what to let go? Here are some guidelines to follow:
Check the expiration dates
Most beauty products have a limited shelf life, especially those that are liquid or cream-based. Expired products can harbor bacteria, lose their effectiveness, and even cause skin irritation or infection. As a general rule, toss mascara after 3 months, liquid eyeliner and foundation after 6 months, and lipstick and powder products after 1-2 years. If a product smells off, has changed texture, or has separated, it’s definitely time to let it go.
Evaluate your usage
Take a honest look at each product and ask yourself when was the last time you used it. If it’s been more than 6 months to a year, chances are you won’t miss it. Consider tossing or donating products that no longer suit your style, skin type, or lifestyle. The goal is to curate a collection of products that you actually use and love.
Let go of duplicates
Do you really need 5 red lipsticks or 10 nearly identical nude eyeshadows? While it’s great to have options, having too many similar products can lead to clutter and waste. Consider keeping your favorites and tossing or donating the rest. You can always repurchase if you run out.
Ditch the impulse buys
We’ve all fallen victim to the lure of a pretty package, trendy product, or irresistible sale. But often, those impulse purchases end up collecting dust at the bottom of our beauty kits. If you have products that you regret buying or that don’t work for you, let them go. You can always give them to a friend or donate to a women’s shelter.
Snap some photos
If you’re a beauty junkie like me, decluttering your stash can feel like saying goodbye to old friends. One way to preserve the memories without hanging onto the physical clutter is to take photos of products before you toss or donate them. That way, you can look back on your collection without it taking up valuable space in your beauty kit.
By following these decluttering guidelines, you can pare down your beauty collection to the essentials that you truly use and love. Not only will this make your kit more functional and efficient, but it will also help you rediscover forgotten favorites and appreciate the products you have. Plus, a decluttered beauty space just feels good for the soul.
2. Categorize Your Products
Once you’ve decluttered your beauty kit, the next step is to categorize your remaining products. This means grouping like items together in a way that makes sense for your routine and preferences. By creating categories, you can quickly find what you need, avoid duplicates, and ensure that you’re using your products in the most effective way.
Here are some common categories to consider when organizing your beauty kit:
Skincare
- Cleansers
- Toners/Essences
- Serums/Treatments
- Moisturizers
- Eye Creams
- Sunscreens
- Masks
- Exfoliators
- Lip Balms
- Tools (e.g. brushes, sponges, rollers)
Makeup
- Primers
- Foundations/BB Creams/Concealers
- Powders
- Blushes/Bronzers/Highlighters
- Eyeshadows
- Eyeliners
- Mascaras
- Brow Products
- Lipsticks/Glosses/Liners
- Brushes/Sponges/Tools
Hair
- Shampoos
- Conditioners
- Styling Products
- Hair Masks/Treatments
- Tools (e.g. brushes, combs, clips)
- Hair Accessories
Body
- Body Wash/Soap
- Scrubs
- Lotions/Creams
- Sunscreens
- Deodorants
- Self-Tanners
- Tools (e.g. loofahs, brushes)
Fragrance
- Perfumes/Colognes
- Body Sprays
- Rollerballs
- Samples
Nails
- Polishes
- Base/Top Coats
- Nail Care (e.g. cuticle oil, files, clippers)
These are just general categories, and you can customize them based on your specific products and needs. For example, if you have a lot of sheet masks, you may want to create a separate category for those. Or if you’re a nail art enthusiast, you may want to sub-categorize your polishes by color or finish.
This is to create categories that make sense for your routine and the products you use most often. You can use labels, dividers, or even separate storage containers to keep your categories organized and easy to access.
When categorizing your products, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Group by frequency of use
Keep your everyday essentials (like cleansers, moisturizers, and foundation) in an easily accessible spot, while storing less frequently used items (like special occasion makeup or a deep conditioning hair mask) separately. That way, you can quickly grab what you need without having to dig through a bunch of products you don’t use as often.
Consider expiration dates
When grouping products together, consider their expiration dates and storage needs. For example, you may want to keep opened skincare products separate from unopened ones, or store liquid and cream formulas in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Make it intuitive
The whole point of categorizing your products is to make your routine easier and more efficient. So make sure your categories are intuitive and easy to navigate. If you find yourself getting confused or having to dig through multiple categories to find what you need, it may be time to re-evaluate your system.
Once you’ve categorized your products, you’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to find what you need and keep track of what you have. No more rummaging through a jumbled mess of products or buying duplicates because you forgot you already had something. A little bit of organization goes a long way in creating a functional, enjoyable beauty routine.
3. Use Space-Saving Storage Solutions
Now that you’ve decluttered and categorized your beauty kit, it’s time to find the right storage solutions to keep everything organized and accessible. The key is to maximize your space while still keeping your products visible and easy to grab. Here are some of my favorite storage solutions for organizing your beauty kit like a pro:
Acrylic Organizers
Acrylic organizers are a game-changer when it comes to storing makeup and skincare products. They come in a variety of sizes and configurations, from small lipstick holders to large multi-drawer units. The clear material allows you to see all your products at a glance, while the compartments keep everything neatly separated and easy to grab.
I love using acrylic organizers for my makeup brushes, lipsticks, and eyeshadow palettes. It’s so satisfying to open a drawer and see all my products lined up in neat little rows. Plus, the clear material makes it easy to wipe away any makeup residue or dust.
Magnetic Boards
If you’re short on counter or drawer space, magnetic boards are a great way to store your beauty products vertically. You can find magnetic boards specifically designed for makeup, with pre-drilled holes for brushes and small shelves for palettes and compacts. Or you can DIY your own with a simple metal sheet and some magnetic cups or hooks.
I use a magnetic board to store my everyday makeup essentials, like foundation, concealer, and mascara. It keeps everything within easy reach and frees up space in my makeup bag for other products.
Lazy Susans
Lazy Susans are a great way to store products that you use frequently, like skincare or haircare. The rotating design allows you to easily access everything without having to dig through a crowded shelf or basket. You can find Lazy Susans in a variety of sizes and materials, from small plastic trays to large bamboo or acrylic turntables.
I use a Lazy Susan to store my morning skincare routine, with my cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen all within easy reach. It makes my routine so much more efficient and enjoyable.
Drawer Dividers
If you’re storing your beauty products in a vanity or desk drawer, drawer dividers are a must-have for keeping everything organized. You can find dividers made specifically for makeup and skincare, with compartments for brushes, lipsticks, and other small items. Or you can use simple plastic or bamboo dividers to create your own custom compartments.
I use drawer dividers to organize my makeup palettes, with each divider labeled by brand or color scheme. It makes it so much easier to find the palette I need without having to dig through a jumbled mess.
Travel Bags
Even if you have a beautifully organized vanity at home, it’s important to have a functional storage solution for travel. A good travel makeup bag should be compact, spill-proof, and easy to clean. Look for bags with multiple compartments and clear pockets to keep your products organized and visible.
I have a few different travel makeup bags that I use depending on the length of my trip and the products I need. For shorter trips, I use a small clear bag with just my essential makeup and skincare. For longer trips, I use a larger bag with removable compartments that I can customize based on my needs.
The key with any storage solution is to find what works for your specific products, preferences, and space constraints. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different types of organizers to create a system that feels intuitive and easy to maintain. The goal is to make your beauty routine as seamless and enjoyable as possible.
4. Maintain Your Beauty Kit
Organizing your beauty kit is not a one-and-done task. To keep your products tidy, accessible, and safe to use, it’s important to establish some regular maintenance habits. Here are my top tips for maintaining your beauty kit like a pro:
Clean your products regularly
Makeup brushes, sponges, and applicators can harbor bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells, which can lead to breakouts and other skin irritations. Aim to clean your brushes and sponges at least once a week with a gentle soap or brush cleanser. For other products, like lipstick bullets or powder compacts, wipe them down with a tissue or alcohol swab after each use.
Sanitize your storage
In addition to cleaning your actual products, it’s important to keep your storage solutions sanitized as well. Wipe down your acrylic organizers, magnetic boards, and travel bags with a disinfectant spray or wipe every few weeks. This will help prevent the buildup of bacteria and keep your products fresh and hygienic.
Keep track of expiration dates
Even with regular cleaning and sanitizing, beauty products don’t last forever. Make a habit of checking the expiration dates on your products every few months and tossing anything that has gone bad. You can use a label maker or simple stickers to mark the date you opened a product, so you know when it’s time to replace it.
Reassess your categories
As your beauty collection evolves, your categories and storage solutions may need to evolve as well. Take a moment every season or so to reassess your categories and see if anything needs to be adjusted. Maybe you’ve gotten really into a new type of product (like face oils or cream blushes) and need to create a new category for them. Or maybe you’ve decluttered a bunch of products and can downsize your storage. The key is to stay flexible and adaptable.
Stick to a “one in, one out” policy
To prevent your beauty kit from getting cluttered again, try to stick to a “one in, one out” policy. This means that for every new product you bring in, you commit to using up or decluttering one product from the same category. So if you buy a new lipstick, you either finish or get rid of an old one. This helps you maintain a curated, intentional collection and avoid unnecessary duplicates or expired products.
Make it a ritual
Finally, try to make maintaining your beauty kit a regular ritual that you look forward to. Set aside some time each week to tidy up your products, clean your brushes, and check expiration dates. Put on some music, light a candle, and enjoy the process of caring for your beauty collection. Not only will this help you stay organized, but it will also make your beauty routine feel more luxurious and enjoyable.
Remember, the key to maintaining your beauty kit like a pro is to establish regular habits and routines. By taking a few minutes each week to tidy up and reassess your products, you can keep your collection organized, hygienic, and easy to use. And that, my friends, is the secret to a truly beautiful beauty routine.
Final Thoughts
Organizing your beauty kit may seem like a daunting task, but with these 4 tips, you can create a functional, efficient, and enjoyable beauty routine. By decluttering your collection, categorizing your products, using space-saving storage solutions, and maintaining regular upkeep habits, you can take control of your beauty stash and rediscover the joy of getting ready each day.
As someone who has struggled with beauty clutter in the past, I can attest to the power of a well-organized kit. Not only does it save time and space, but it also helps me appreciate and use the products I have more effectively. I’m no longer overwhelmed by a jumbled mess of half-used lipsticks and mystery serums. Instead, I have a curated collection of products that I love and use regularly.
Of course, everyone’s beauty routine and preferences are different, so what works for me may not work for you. The key is to find a system that feels intuitive, easy to maintain, and aligned with your specific needs and goals. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different categories, storage solutions, and maintenance habits until you find what clicks.
At the end of the day, remember that your beauty kit is meant to be a source of joy, creativity, and self-expression. By taking the time to organize and care for your products, you’re not just creating a more efficient routine – you’re also cultivating a more mindful, intentional relationship with beauty itself.
So go ahead and embrace the power of the beauty kit refresh. Declutter that lipstick collection, categorize those serums, and find the perfect acrylic organizer for your brushes. Your future self (and your bathroom counter) will thank you.