We're probably all a little guilty of collecting too many makeup products. Purchasing what seems like a few harmless tubes of lipstick and mascara can quickly spiral into a bathroom overflowing with compacts, palettes, and more, which is why setting up an organized system ahead of time is key.
The difference between organizing beauty products and other items
Experts say there's a reason to keep your products within arms reach and in your eye line, and it's not just to change up your routine more frequently. "The primary reason that organizing beauty products is different from organizing items like shoes, jewelry or clothing is that beauty products are perishable," co-founders of Done & Done Home Kate Pawlowski and Ann Lightfoot tell BAZAAR.com. "So while you may be able to hold on to a pair of shoes you never wear, keeping makeup can be hazardous to your health. Be sure to check expiration dates and as a general rule, toss foundation, blush and eyeshadow after two years, lipstick after about a year and mascara and eyeliner every three months."
Whether you decide to store your products in a drawer or under the sink, the duo also advises separating each of them into categories—concealers with concealers, eyeliners with eyeliners—to curb overbuying and minimize clutter. "If a person can see that they already own ten lipsticks, it's less likely that they will impulsively purchase another," the co-founders explain.
How to maintain an organized set-up
To stay consistently organized, Pawlowski and Lightfoot recommend doing a quick refresh of your makeup collection every three months (which is the lifespan of most eye products) to double check expiration dates, with a more thorough edit once per year. And, if you've sifted through your makeup collection and found a few products worthy of a new home, there are a number of organizations willing to take some items off your hands.
"There are several charities that we love sending unused beauty to, but because of the pandemic, many organizations are only accepting unopened products at this time, so we recommend double checking any donation policies to avoid confusion," say Pawlowski and Lightfoot. "Our first choice for donations are usually local shelters and women's organizations. A quick Google search and a phone call to find out what is needed and accepted can make a real difference to women who live locally. We also recommend Project Beauty Share if a local option isn't available. They're currently accepting donations and their website has all the information about what their mission is and where to send unused and even gently used products," they add.
For the best makeup organizers and professional tips to guide your next product purge, we asked the mother-daughter duo for their favorite picks to keep your items neat and accessible. Here, some of their tried-and-true expert organization tips to help transform your bedroom or bathroom into a beauty storage haven.
Pros
Fits narrow shelves
Cons
"If a bathroom has a large vanity with drawers, we would recommend storing makeup there, with a few small bins to keep categories separate," note Pawlowski and Lightfoot.
Pros
- Set includes three different sized trays
Cons
Here's a set of three trays that are designed to nest inside of each other, and effortless separate items like lipstick and mascara tubes, sponges, and more. Plus, for those with slightly wider shelving, they'll also fit nicely inside your medicine cabinet.
Customer reviews:
"I love the nesting trays. They’re heavier and more durable than expected, and I love how they provide a simple yet elevated look." —Jade T.
Pros
- Includes separate storage sections and lid
Cons
This four-section box makes it easy to keep your falsies separate from your loose glitter, and nicely features a lid to keep your favorites secure.
Customer review:
"I bought this to use in the powder room. We put in cotton balls, cotton rounds, Q-Tips and dental picks. Great to store these small items in the vanity and off the counter." —ME667
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Pros
- Easy to clean
Cons
Utilizing drawer storage for makeup is an easy way to keep your countertops clear while breaking down your go-to items by type. "A drawer is an easy place to set up systems—we love small customizable bins that easily allow for categorizing different items," they add.
Customer review:
"I used this to organize a drawer in my bathroom vanity. It was just as described, and accomplished my goal perfectly." —Sal
Pros
- Multi-functional
Cons
If your aesthetic typically leans toward natural materials, consider this set of discounted bamboo drawers, which over 2,700 Amazon customers love.
Customer review:
"I am so happy I bought these organizers! They are made with sturdy quality bamboo and the different sizes make them perfect for organizing all the random stuff in my bathroom drawers (hair ties, small lotions and ointments, nail care products, etc.) The possibilities of how to use these are endless—they even look aesthetically pleasing enough to be used on top of a counter to hold things. When I need more drawer organizers, this brand will be my go-to. I would highly recommend these drawer organizers, you won't be disappointed!" —Aspiring
Pros
- Customizable
Cons
Since you can move the dividers around in these drawer bins from OXO, they'll always be the perfect fit for your essentials.
Customer review:
"These organizers are the best! They don’t slide around or shift when you open or close the drawer, and can also hold a good amount of items. I would highly recommend if you’re looking for something that will remain organized even after you shut your drawer." —VAMama
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Pros
- Versatile
Cons
This three-piece metal organizer set features a variety of sizes that are suitable to hold small tubes and jars of your most-used products.
Customer review:
"I ordered these for my nightstand drawer which was out of control. They are perfect! They now contain the little odds and ends that were everywhere and are very well-made. Best of all, they have strips on the bottom that keep them from sliding around. Love them." —L Berk
Pros
- Easy accessibility to products
Cons
When storing beauty products under the sink, Done & Done Home recommends using labels for a helpful reminder of what you have at your disposal to use.
"Under sink organization can be tricky because often, many different types of things are stored there. To keep beauty supplies separate from cleaning supplies, for example, we also like to use stackable mesh organizers with pull out drawers since they can maximize vertical space and make the most of the room you have."
Customer review:
"Great product for under the sink storage. Keeps my hair care products neat and out of sight in our bathroom. Great for makeup and other toiletries, too." —Kiki's Mom
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Stackable 2-Tier Under Sink Cabinet Organizer
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Pros
- Height is adjustable
Cons
Here's another under-the-sink organizer that over 15,000 Amazon shoppers are raving about. Its roomy design makes it a breeze to store your setting spray and foundation tubes upright, and four customizable height options ensure the perfect fit.
Customer review:
"After doing a major bathroom remodel, I bought this unit along with another three-drawer unit to use under the sink. I like the fact that the height is adjustable, sturdy metal, and the drawers are deep enough to hold something a bit more bulky. I put my hair dryer and curling iron in the top drawer, and brushes and combs in the bottom. Easy to pull out a drawer and place it on the vanity top so I can get to whatever I need in them. I highly recommend this unit to conserve bathroom storage space!" —LC
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We recommend purchasing at least two sizes of these streamlined storage bins to seamlessly for easy accessibility to your most-used compacts and palettes.
Pros
- Customizable
Cons
This stackable organizer features an additional set of steel legs for extra height (just in case), with four removable dividers to keep your makeup rotation orderly.
Customer review:
"So happy I purchased these! They were easy to assemble and added so much extra storage space to the cabinet under my bathroom sink. The cubbies slide out easily and the dividers are super handy!" —Samire
Pros
- Top-rated
Cons
When it comes to the makeup products you use the most, Pawlowski and Lightfoot suggest utilizing a lazy susan to make sourcing them feel less like a chore. "If cosmetics are going to be stored on a countertop, we use lazy Susan organizers that hold a lot of items without taking up too much real estate," they explain. "Again, we encourage our clients to choose an organizer that allows for similar items to be grouped together."
Customer review:
"This makeup organizer is everything I hoped it would be and has allowed me to condense all my makeup, moisturizers and cleansers into one spot, plus it looks pretty too! Win win for me." —Andrea
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Pros
- Customizable
Cons
Since this organizer includes a tall, centralized storage cup, consider rogue eye- and lipliners a thing of the past.
Pros
- Verticle, space-saving design
Cons
Each bin on this stacked organizer swivels around 360 degrees, and is easily wiped clean with a damp cloth or towel.
Pros
- Durable
Cons
If you're partial to items with an open design, this elevated marble and brass lazy Susan from Serena & Lily definitely belongs on your countertop.
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Pros
- Includes built-in mirror
Cons
For easy access to your every day makeup essentials, the duo recommends using a handy storage case or counter-friendly holder for your most-loved products. "People may choose to keep the cosmetics they use daily out on a countertop while storing the rest of the makeup inside a drawer or cabinet. For this smaller amount of items, a storage display case which can include a few drawers is an excellent choice!"
Pros
- Features a locking option for extra security
Cons
If you owned a caboodle in middle school, now's your chance to revist a beloved Y2K essential. This spacious case contains accordion drawers to maximize its storage space, with see-through casing that takes the mystery out of finding your go-to products.
Customer review:
"I'm in love! This is perfect to store all my makeup! I don't wear a lot, but I definitely needed a place to keep it! This case has so much space! I can keep everything in its own place!" —Becky L.
Pros
- Easy to clean
Cons
This makeup organizer includes a number of open sections, plus, a handy (and removable!) mirror for professional-level product application.
Customer review:
"So practical! Changed my makeup world!" —Stacey S.
Tiffany Dodson
Associate Beauty Commerce Editor
Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany's work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she's been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.
