Monday, February 6, 2012

Housekeeping 102: Organize Your Makeup

Now that you've mastered making your bed it is time to work on another housekeeping skill--keeping your makeup organized. This is the best way I have found to keep my makeup easily-accessible and clutter-free.

* Go through all the makeup you own and create three piles...
  1. Makeup that is over three years old or that you haven't used in over a year
  2. Makeup that you use for special occasions
  3. Makeup that you use every day or most days of the week
Makeup in pile 1 goes in the trash. Right now. Regardless of how much you spent on it or the fact that maybe, just maybe, you'll use it. In the trash.

Makeup in pile 2 goes into a bag of some sort (Ziploc is fine) and is stashed away in a cupboard or closet. You can pull it out when you need it. It shouldn't be cluttering up your regular makeup collection.

Makeup in pile 3 gets to stay on the counter in an organized fashion.

*Find yourself two containers--a small vase-like one (see photo) and a plate.

They should both be rather small. The only things that will be out are things you use frequently. I bought both of mine at the dollar store in the candle aisle. I used a candle holder and a small glass candle plate. Small cups, jars, etc. work well too.

*Fill up the vase with something to support the brushes.

I used brown rice. Other options include beans, small marbles, popcorn kernels, beads, seeds, aquarium rocks, etc. Just find something around your house that isn't being used currently. This keeps the brushes from hitting into each other and makes it easier to grab individual items when you are using them.

*Put your makeup brushes and everything else long and cylindrical into the vase.

Mine holds my brushes, mascara, and eyeliner.

*The containers for everything else go onto the plate.

This only works if every day, as you use the items, you immediately put them back where they came from.

* Clean everything once a week.

It takes about three minutes a week to keep everything clean. Use whatever shampoo you have to wash the brushes. Rinse well. Let them air dry on the counter for several hours. Take a disinfecting wipe, and wipe down the containers for all of your other makeup items. I promise--they look much better when they are clean! You'll feel better too! Wipe off the plate, and then put everything back on. You're done!

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