If you’re anything like us, you’ve got makeup and beauty products coming out of your ears (not literally, of course). And somehow they’ve all ended up in the one drawer, so when you go to find your favourite eyeliner, it takes WAY longer than it should (and is just plain frustrating).
But never fear – help is here! Organising your makeup drawer is a total game changer and we know it will save you a stack of time, stress and overwhelm (especially if makeup is your day job or passion).
How to organise makeup in a drawer
There’s really no shortage of ways to store your makeup using acrylic makeup drawer organisers, but you might not know what you need or where to start (or are feeling overwhelmed by the task!).
We’ve already done the hard work for you (high fives!), so take a look at these 5 tips to help you bring some order to the chaos and keep track of your favourite products.
1. Start by cleaning out your makeup drawer
Organising your makeup drawer is like ripping off a bandaid – it might hurt a little at the start, but it will be over before you know it!
First, empty your drawer. Lay out every single bit of makeup you have on a towel (that way it won’t roll away or be lost in the process). It’s important that you give that drawer some TLC and clean it out properly – we’re talking a good deep clean, spray and wipe. Decluttering a space is so much easier when you can see what you’re working with.
2. Take stock of what you have
Now that you have everything laid out in front of you, it’s time to get to work. Take a moment to really assess what you have. You might like to honestly ask yourself these questions:
- How long have I had these products?
- When was the last time I used them?
- What do I need more of? And equally, what do I have too much of?
Next, recycle or dispose of any products that are empty or broken and can’t be fixed. Makeup expires, too, so double check the dates and if anything is way out of date, it’s time to let it go!
3. Invest in the best makeup storage drawers
Now for the fun part! Once you’ve got a clean space and know exactly what you need to store, it’s time to get yourself a little help. Here are three storage ideas for the makeup you likely use every day.
CompactsFrom pressed powder to bronzers and blush, organising your compacts can help you get ready in a flash. This 8 compact holder neatly arranges 8 standard sized compacts in one row. It’s easy to clean, durable and clear so you can quickly see what you have (or what’s missing!).
If you’ve already got an IKEA Alex 5 drawer (or thinking about getting one) then you’re going to want to nab yourself this ALEX 5 drawer - 6 display tray. It’s designed to fit into IKEA’s drawer and is perfect for all the little bits and bobs that can easily get lost in a bigger drawer (think makeup brushes, single eyeshadows and pocket compacts).
For makeup artists and Influencers, the ALEX 5 drawer - foundation divider is also a must. It has removable dividers so you can personalise and customise the layout (heaven!) letting you arrange your foundation in a way that works just for you. Similar to the tray above, it fits snug into your IKEA ALEX 5 drawer and can be kept clean with a quick wipe or dust.
4. Start by category, using acrylic makeup organisers
Now that your drawer is clean, your products are tidy and you’ve grabbed yourself some makeup storage drawers, it’s time to get to work!
Separate your makeup into categories – you might like to do this based on how you use the products. For example, you’ll want anything you use the most to be the easiest to find, followed by anything you use sparingly, and those products you dabble in occasionally to be last. Similarly, heavier items could be placed at the bottom so they don’t damage the smaller, lighter items. It doesn’t have to be a perfect system, but try to keep ‘like’ items together where you can.
5. Lastly, create the ultimate makeup area
Congratulations – your makeup is organised! The next step is to create a space where you can apply your makeup with joy and ease.
Consider adding a vanity mirror for even lighting or even a special makeup chair or stool for a comfy place to sit. These additions come in handy especially if you’re glamming up other people or want to take your makeup game to the next level.
All organised? Show us your drawers!
We love seeing how creative you are so tag us on Insta @luvostore and use the hashtags #luvostore and #luvofam to share your makeup storage ideas.
Like us, we bet you’re always on the hunt for new ways to organise your fave products and get a little inspiration along the way.