Makeup Drawer Organization

Can you believe January is coming to its end? The assignment is the makeup drawer organization. If you are not a makeup person (or you are a guy), you can use this week to catch up on toy organization or, tackle any other drawer in the house.

I thought that as much as I want to take this challenge with full force, I do not want to make it stressful on anyone or me for that matter. So, I figured at least one week out of the month. I will assign us a somehow simple task. And organizing the makeup drawer organization seemed simple enough. Don’t you think?

I am following this challenge right along with you too and, sometimes I have done the task in advance, and some other times, I execute it the same week I assign it. This week, I already decluttered, cleaned, and organized my makeup drawer. Can I get a hooray?!

Anyways, do you feel like looking at my makeup drawer before? and by before I mean: this morning? Be my guest.

No shame! What can I say? Sometimes, I have better things to do. I know who is gonna be proud of me: my sister. Every time she comes to visit, she sneaks into my bathroom to put on makeup, just to find that hot mess. She kept saying I needed an intervention. She was right. Week 4 of 52 came to save the day, the night, the entire year!.

All stories aside, let’s get to the nitty-gritty of makeup drawer organization. Here we go.

1. Empty Out, Declutter and Clean

Sometimes, you have to make a bigger mess to get rid of the mess. So, take everything out, everything! Don’t try to sort things out while they’re still inside the drawer. You will never be done.

The first thing you have to do is toss all makeup that is old. In my case: 80% went to the trash. Sad, but true. But I feel 20 lbs. lighter! I did my research and found this handy guide from makeup.com

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After you have tossed all of your old makeup -and other random junk, like 10,000 bobby pins and 25 hair ties-, set aside all the things you want to keep and sort them into groups. These items I am listing were scattered inside the drawer. It looked like there wasn’t enough room but it was mainly expired makeup and useless things. I also relocated a couple of things in this closet.

• Eyeshadows and blush
• Foundations and compact powder
• Brushes and other tools
• Eyeliners, concealers, and mascara
• Lip gloss and lipstick
• Hairbrushes and accessories
• Glasses
• Makeup remover
• Random jewelry

Remember when we did toy organization last week and we talked about defining zones and setting limits? Well, I definitely needed to set my limits with makeup brushes. Really, how many makeup brushes do I need? Just look at this, and there were three more in my purse!

As soon as I submerged them in water, all kinds of powder residue started floating in the sink. Gross. These are the type of things I totally forget that needs to be cleaned.

After that quick rinse, I did my research and found out that, the best cleaner to use on makeup brushes is baby shampoo, because it’s gentle (on the bristles and on your skin). So, I placed the ones I decided to keep inside a cup with lukewarm water and a few drops of baby shampoo.

Here is what you have to do:

1. Soak the makeup brushes for 5 minutes in lukewarm water with baby shampoo.
2. Pull them out and lather them with more baby shampoo in the palm of your hand.
3. Rinse again and again until the water runs clear.
4. Squeeze and reshape the bristles of each brush.
5. Lay the brushes flat on a towel to dry.

UPDATE: here’s another way to clean your makeup brushes naturally.

Another thing that needed deep cleaning was my drawer organizer. I adore my drawer organizer, I can’t believe I neglected it for so long. My bronzer broke, and either I am cheap or lazy, but I never threw it out, and it kept coming off on the tray. It wasn’t too easy to get it off.

With decluttering done, a clean tray, and a clean drawer, it’s time to put everything back inside neatly.

2. Define Zones Inside the Makeup Drawer

For this step, you are going to need a drawer organizer. I also like these interlocking trays, small boxes, small bowls, or small baskets. If you know me, you know I am the self-proclaimed queen of organizing with small baskets. Because they help me define zones.

How do you like my makeup drawer now? Let’s take a look at the before and after, and see if you get inspired and get your makeup drawer organization going, too!

Ok, so I have had the drawer organizer for quite some time, and it helps. But all other things were just randomly thrown inside the drawer, rolling all over. I solved that problem for free: I defined more zones using small handmade boxes. Yes, I made them.

Aren’t they beautiful? Check out a step-by-step, full tutorial with pictures and a short video that my friend Meredith posted on her blog, Arts & Classy. It took me 5 minutes to make each one out of thick scrapbook paper. Sweet!

Another practical solution I found was to use my beloved kitty’s food bowl. She passed away two years ago, and it was hard to let go of it. So I put it to good use, holding my rings and earrings, and I keep her close to my heart each day.

3. Clean Up and Decorate Your Bathroom Counter

Lastly, give your bathroom vanity counter a little TLC. Now that all your random things are neatly tucked inside the drawer, keep the counter space open and have fun decorating.

I have to thank my mom for the gorgeous Christmas present she gave me, which pushed me to get my vanity organization done. She gave me all sorts of bathroom accessories including a monogrammed cross-stitched hand towel.

And love me some almond hand lotion. Time to start moisturizing more often, my hands really take a toll with all the papercrafts I make. Having this gorgeous set in plain sight helps with my routine.

This makeup drawer organization took me 2 hours. And that includes propping the items and shooting pictures! So, I am sure you can get it done in under an hour.

Are you inspired yet? I hope so!