12 Makeup Organization Tips From The Home Edit That Are Almost as Good as Hiring Clea and Joanna IRL

1. Edit your items.

We hate to break it to you, but it’s definitely time to part ways with that dried up mascara and years-old eyeshadow palette you’ve been hoarding. The first order of business in any organization is declutter your items. “It’s the only way to create a streamlined routine that works best for you and your space,” says Joanna. If you don't use or want an item, toss it (if they’re unused, donate it!). Not to mention that beauty products expire and can cause adverse reactions if you keep using them past their prime.

2. Group into categories.

Once you’ve laid out and edited down all your products, it’s time to sort them into categories. “Don’t get too specific with your categories or else something will always be without a home,” says Joanna. “Stick to the basics, and then you can fine-tune from there if needed.” Start with general categories (face, eyes, lip, makeup brushes, skincare products, etc.) and if needed, sub-categorizing from there (concealer, bronzer, highlighter, mascara, eyeliner, moisturizers, etc.), then designate zones in your space. Every category should be contained (and preferably labeled!). This not only makes items easier to find, but it also holds you accountable when you start exceeding the space.

3. Color code everything.

Yes, rainbow sorting your products looks beautiful, but turns out it actually is a helpful organizing tool, as well. “Our brains innately recognize the pattern, making it a natural scheme for making sense of where we put things,” says Clea. “Plus, it's prettier than other methods, so people are more likely to maintain it.”

4. Measure! Measure! Measure!

It can be easy to get overly excited and stock up on modular systems and aesthetic acrylic organizers that match your organization ideas, but take this important step first. “It’s always important to measure your spaces before buying products, especially medicine cabinets, which are trickier than most,” says Joanna. “Pay close attention to the depth of each shelf and the door hinges that might get in the way of your containers.” Another pro trick if something is a tick fit: Remove excess packaging to save space.

5. Sort products in the order you use them.

Not sure where to place your skin, hair, and makeup products once your storage solution is in place? Stick to this general rule: keep them in the order of your beauty routine. “I use drawer organizers and dividers to contain and categorize everything in a way that flows with my routine,” says Clea, who has a system in place for her daily skincare, dental and eye care, and her beauty products. If something doesn’t fit into your regular routine, hide it away. “All of the products I only use occasionally or any backstock I have live in labeled bins in a cabinet or under the sink,” adds Clea.

6. Make a daily bin.

Create a daily makeup drawer or makeup bag for your favorite products that you reach for every day, twice a day, without fail. This is a big time saver since everything will be easily at your fingertips. “Even if the contents seem random, it makes a difference if everything is categorized.” Plus, it will keep your bathroom counter clean at all times.

7. Don’t forget the hair tools.

Big corded items, like blow dryers, flat irons, and curling wands, are especially tricky to keep organized, but a few pro tricks can make a world of difference. “Silicone cord wraps are literally a game-changer,” says Clea. “It also helps to take advantage of as much vertical space as you can. It can be a storage caddy hung on the back of your cabinet door or even a stand on your countertop. The main thing you want to avoid is storing your hair tools in a deep drawer. That’s just a recipe for disaster.” And all those bulky attachments and parts? “It’s okay to store them separately in a nearby drawer,” adds Joanna. “Just make sure they are contained within some sort of bin.”

8. Try turntables for bigger items.

Hair care and body products tend to come in jumbo tubes and jars, making them nearly impossible to store within your modular makeup organizers and drawers. This is where the turntable comes in. Setting items like hair sprays, body lotions, leave-ins, and spare shampoo and conditioner on rotating turntables make them easily accessible and stored as compactly as possible.

9. Tap every usable space (even the unexpected ones).

Working with a small bathroom, little counter space, or even a shared space shouldn’t stand in the way of your makeup organization dreams, you’ll just need to think outside of the box. The most underutilized bathroom spaces, according to Clea and Joanna, are doors and the space under your sink. “People don’t realize how valuable the storage space on a door is,” says Joanna. “I have over-the-door systems in almost every room of my home. They can be customized over time, which helps if I need to switch up my system.” As for under the sink, it’s prime real estate for a modular, stackable makeup storage system, says Clea. You can even utilize wall space with tricks like using spice racks to store your nail polish.

10. Make your system work for you.

Remember, this beauty product organization system is supposed to make your life easier, not the other way around. So find a system that works best for you (not just copying what you’ve seen on Instagram). Joanna and Clea recommend experimenting with a few different options until you find your perfect system. “I’m constantly reevaluating my space to see what’s working and what isn’t, especially when there’s a change in routine,” says Joanna. “Everyone is different and so is every space. If you know me, then you know I have a very extensive headband collection. I actually found these really neat acrylic headband holders that fit perfectly in my cabinet. I have them stored in color order so I can just grab and go.”

11. Maintain your system.

Congratulations, you created your beauty system! But now you have to maintain it. Don't worry: As long as you follow the system as it was designed, upkeep is as simple as editing the old whenever you add in the new. Clea and Joanna call it the "one in, one out" method.

12. It’s ok not to be perfect.

Here’s the thing, we all live hectic, busy lives, and if your space doesn’t look Instagram perfect like the above 24/7, give yourself a break. “I try to keep my space five to ten minutes away from being IG ready,” says Clea. “That’s the best part about systems. When items are contained within zones that are customized for your space and the items that live there, it all comes down to just putting things back where they belong.”

Ready to fill up your newly organized stash? We got you! Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your very own IPSY Glam Bag. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.

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