How to Organize Beauty products?

As Lifestyle Managers and Professional Organizing Consultants we know that less is more and that the key is maximizing what you have. That applies to all areas of life, including your beauty products and your bathrooms.

Here are a few of our favorite insider tips to help you eliminate the excess and maximize the essential.

Keep it fresh. Beauty Editors to Professional Organizers around the globe know that the effectiveness of products -- not to mention the icky quantity of bacteria they breed -- diminishes after only a few months. Lipsticks, foundations, and other cream-based formulas are more subject to spoilage than powders. Discard a product if there is a change in smell or it has been exposed to heat. Toss old items and replace them with new ones. You'll find yourself with more room and a better quality. (See our separate expiration guide below) Product -- Shelf Life

Liquid and cream foundation -- 6-12 months,
Concealer -- 8-12 months, Pressed powder -- 1 year, Eye shadow -- 1 year, Blush -- 1 year, Mascara -- 3 months, Lipstick and lip gloss -- 2 years, Eye and lip pencils -- 2 years, Facial cleanser -- 1 year, Facial toner -- 1 year, Facial moisturizer -- 1 year.

Improvise containers. Look to the kitchen or other rooms for creative containers for your beauty products. A wide ceramic mug or canning jar can serve as a container for cotton balls, while a creamer can hold cotton swabs. We love using the bamboo cutlery drawer dividers for make-up in the bathroom! 

Divide and conquer your shelves. Place acrylic drawer organizers on medicine cabinet shelves to keep like items, such as nail care supplies, together. Acrylic risers provide extra surface space and put unused vertical space between shelves to work.

Magnetize them. Find hidden space by hanging a magnetic strip on the inside of the medicine cabinet door (between shelves), and hang metal objects such as tweezers, nail clippers, and spare shaving blades. Use magnetic spice canisters for loose powders and eyeshadows. Place a magnetic strip in a drawer to tame stray bobby pins. Magnetic strips with adhesive back are available at hardware stores. 

Hook it up. Add magnetized hooks to hold ponytail holders or scissors. A magnetic notepad holder (usually found on a fridge) can hold brushes and combs or toothbrushes and toothpaste. 

Travel for every day. The bathroom can be one place you are really lacking counter space. No problem! Rethink your make-up routine and keep your make-up stored in a hanging travel bag that you can roll up and store away when you are done. The clear, open pockets on the inside also help you remember all those dazzling colors you haven't used!

Baskets and racks. Adding floating shelving in the bathroom may increase your storage space but it may also add visual clutter and chaos. Instead of using floating shelves try mounting sea grass baskets for bathroom space suckers or use a wine rack as a towel holder. It will add texture and storage with our favorite two "S"s: style and structure.

To learn more tips on organizing your beauty products for a less cluttered space contact our DwellWell team of NYC professional organizing services.