Are all of your beauty products crammed in a drawer in a jumbled mess? I’m sharing the best way I’ve found to organize them!
Friend recommendations are the best so I’m totally excited about today’s “My Five Favorites” since I’m joining four of my blogging buddies to dish about our favorites in fashion and beauty! And since I’ll take any and every excuse to talk about home organization, I’m also going to show you how I organize it all! Along with my usual My Five Favorites crew of Pam of Simple Details, Lisa of Shine Your Light, and Jennifer of Dimples & Tangles, we have Cindy from Rough Luxe Lifestyle joining us as our guest this month. Let’s get going with my five fashion and beauty finds and how I organize them (post includes some affiliate links – see my full disclosure statement {here}):
My Go-To Makeup Essentials
Unless it’s a special occasion, I never spend more than about five minutes putting on my makeup which is partially because I like a more natural look and partially because I have no patience whatsoever for using a zillion primers, pencils, etc. These are my seven favorites that are part of my quick and easy every day beauty routine:
1 – I love eyeshadow palettes and {this eyeshadow collection} filled with neutral and berry tones is my current favorite. I stick with the neutrals on a daily basis but also love some of the warm berry tones like red ochre when I’m dressing up.
2 – I have thin brows but like having a quicker solution that doing the whole brow powder, pencil, & gel thing so on the daily basis I just use Gimme Brow available {here} (I use the “medium” color) – it’s like mascara for your eyebrows and takes all of 15 seconds to apply. Love!
3 – I have a fairly obscene nailpolish stash but Sally Hansen’s Greige (I can’t find it at a reasonable price online and just buy it at the drugstore) is my favorite that I use time and time again. {This nailpolish} is a close second. Funny how the colors we love to decorate with are also the ones we love to wear!
4 – For special occasions I use a mascara primer, mascara, and eyelash curler to really do my eyelashes up but on a daily basis I just use Roller Lash available {here}. It doesn’t clump or flake and adds just a touch of curl (it also helps hold the curl better when used after an eyelash curler). And it’s water resistant but not water proof so I’ve never had a problem with it running but it comes off easily when you wash your face.
5 – If I could only chose one thing to put on my face every day, it would be this foundation (available {here}). It does an amazing job of evening out my complexion (I have mild rosacea and you would never know once I have it on) but looks like I have nothing on. I should probably use some fancy brush to apply it but just put a few dots on my face and rub it in with my fingers. I use the Warm Nude shade. The only thing I don’t like about it is that you can’t tell when it’s getting low so I try to keep an extra bottle on hand.
6 – {This Lancome eyeliner} is my favorite – easy to apply and long-lasting.
7 – I don’t have a blush that I swear by (I keep trying new ones each time I run out) but this blush brush (available {here}) is definitely a winner! It’s super soft, applies blush evenly, and is great for contouring too. I also love that it comes with a snap-on plastic head to protect the brush when thrown in a makeup bag for travel.
To keep all of my makeup organized and easy to get to, I use {this highly rated acrylic cosmetic/makeup storage case}. There are a few different configuration options but mine has three long drawers and four small ones:
It fits all of my most-used makeup and smaller cosmetics, makes it so easy to see everything, and it was SUPER inexpensive compared to other acrylic drawer options. It actually came with black non-slip liners for each drawer that worked well but mine are full enough that things don’t move around much so I removed them since I like the look without them better. Normally I keep this in the small cabinet right by my bathroom sink but moved it out on my dresser so I could get a better pic of it for you 🙂
A Hair Dryer That’s Fast & Doesn’t Dry Out Your Hair
Just like I’m all about being quick when it comes to putting on my makeup, I’m the same about drying my hair (do you hate wasting time drying your hair as much as I do?). There are lots of expensive hairdryers out there that do all sorts of fancy things so mine might not be the best one in the world but I sure think it’s the best bang for the buck (I bought mine {here}). It’s SO much better than the 10+ year old typical hair dryer I had before it.
It has infrared heat technology and tourmaline ionic technology which… um, mean absolutely nothing to me – ha! But what I can tell you is that it doesn’t over-dry my hair (my hair seems less brittle and shinier) and it dries my hair quickly.
To be honest, I have no great storage spot for my own hairdryer (my bathroom is the tiniest master bathroom ever) but in my girls’ bathroom, it hangs in {this handy over-the-cabinet caddy} which works really well for keeping it off of their bathroom counter and out of the way when it’s not in use:
The basket in the middle is the perfect size for storing the hair dryer attachments and cord and the holder on the right is a great storage spot for a brush.
My Favorite Lazy Hair Day Product
Have you discovered dry shampoos yet? If not, you’re missing out! They work by absorbing and removing oil & sweat and are amazing for freshening up your hair on days you don’t wash it, especially when your hair is starting to get greasy. My youngest daughter and I both love dry shampoos and we’ve probably tried about 7 or 8 of them by now. My favorite is Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo (I get mine {here}):
It’s definitely on the pricer end of dry shampoos but it works so much better for me than all of the lower priced ones I’ve used (they all left residue behind) plus it smells amazing! One word of advice if dry shampoos are new to you – you don’t want to just spray them on the top of your hair like hair spray. Instead, lift up big chunks of hair and spray the roots, give it about a minute, and then use your fingers to work it in and fluff up your hair. You will wonder how you ever lived without it!
The Best Product for Keeping Your Makeup in Place ALL Day
One other product in my beauty arsenal that I love is Urban Decay’s All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray (available {here}). I typically put on makeup in the morning and never reapply unless I’ve got evening plans so I like to use a setting spray that makes my makeup last. This product is my favorite! Once I’m done with my makeup I simply close my eyes, hold it about 8″ away from my face and give it a few sprays. It doesn’t feel sticky (I don’t notice it’s on my face at all once it’s dry) and it does a great job sealing my makeup, especially when I’m outside in the heat.
I have VERY limited space in my master bathroom so having a compact way to store this spray along with my dry shampoo and all of my other sprays and bottles is a must – {this rotating makeup organizer} has been amazing!
The footprint of it is super small but it holds a ton of beauty products and they’re all easy to access since you can spin it around. And I love that the shelves can be placed at any height so you can customize it depending upon the height of your spray bottles. There are several different color and style options – mine is the “clear transparent” color and “square with tray” design.
Accessories that Make the Outfit!
Similar to my passion for pretty decorative hardware, I can’t get enough of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings sooo I’m sneaking a few in on this post – close enough to beauty, right?! Several of my favorites are ones I’ve had for years that are no longer available but I thought I’d share the still-available pieces in my jewelry stash that I think you guys would love starting my go-to adjustable gold bracelet found {here} – I wear it more than any other piece of jewelry!
I also have and love {this beautiful bracelet set} – you can wear all three of them together, just one individually, or a pair!
I shared how I organize my jewelry several months back in {this post} about my favorite ways to stay organized but in case you missed it I use {this hanging jewelry organizer} since I don’t have the space for a large jewelry box. It’s two-sided so holds quite a bit and the clear pockets make it so easy to see what I have at a glance:
And when I go on long trips, I simply take out what jewelry I won’t need and fold the whole thing up and throw it in my suitcase where I can hang it up at our destination!
So there you have it… those are my beauty favorites along with my solutions for keeping everything organized and easy to get to! Be sure to share in the comments if you have any of your own favorites that you think we should know about – I’d love to hear about them! I also can’t wait to dive into the posts of my four friends who are sharing their favorites too – hop on over and check them out for yourself here:
Pam – Simple Details
Jennifer – Dimples & Tangles
Lisa – Shine Your Light
Cindy – Rough Luxe Lifestyle
If you missed any of my past posts from our My Five Favorites series, you can hop on over and take and peek at some of them here:
Okay I’m realizing today’s topic is total trouble because I now have a running list of things I must buy 🙂 Hannah and I have been sharing a ridiculous travel hair dryer (the kind that folds over) for over a year since my last one died, and I keep saying it’s time to invest in a good one that will last. So excited this one you love is less than $20! And that All Nighter spray is super intriguing, I must try!!
Lisa that is hysterical that you’re using a travel hair dryer – yes, I think you need to invest a whopping $16 to get a full sized one – lol! And I agree – this post topic is way dangerous to my credit card 🙂
Kris,
Even though you are much younger than I, I will give that foundation a try. I have been searching for a light foundation that will even out my skin tone but not be heavy.
Random question, do your space saver hangers hold your slacks without issue? In our new house the closets are small and I’m wanting to make the switch but I’m concerned that the space saver hangers will crease my slacks where they fold over the hanger. Let me know when you have a minute (also I’ve forgotten where you purchased these hangers). 🙂
xo,
Karen
I really love that foundation – and it doesn’t settle into wrinkles like ones I used to use did. For those space saver hangers (you can get them at The Container Store or there are some similar ones on Amazon), you’re right – they have a straight bottom piece rather than a rolled bottom like most pants hangers do. I actually don’t hang any of my pants (they’re all in drawers) but my husband does – he’s never complained about that but I just looked at some of his pants and there is a small crease when you take them off the hanger.
What wallpaper is that in your closet? Love it!
It’s a Farrow & Ball wallpaper – pricey but I didn’t need much of it. There is a link to the exact one I used and more info about my closet makeover in this post: https://www.drivenbydecor.com/replacing-bi-fold-closet-doors-curtains-closet-makeover/
I am going to give your mascara selection a try. I have not found a single mascara that I honestly like. Would you please come to my house and organize my makeup products? No wait you might be horrified of my organization!! Thanks for including me this month! You ladies are the best!!
Trust me, I wouldn’t be horrified – there are parts of my house that are tremendously un-organized but my master bathroom is so super tiny that it has to be organized for me to function in it! Let me know what you think of the mascara if you try it!
I just ordered the jewelry pockets! I have one but I need one with larger pockets and I like the zipper on this one!! Also I need to try the quick fix eye brow gel for everyday!! Thank you, fun post, always looking for new helpful products. We girls need to share!! Thanks for sharing!!
I now have a list of my own of things to try after reading everyone’s posts! 🙂 And I think you’ll love the hanging jewelry organizer – it’s so much easier than rummaging through jewelry in a box and takes up so little space!
LOVELY………I came from CINDY’s BLOG and do not spend more than 5 minutes either!
Thank YOU for your useful tips…………..
YOU GIRLS HAD FUN!
You’re my kind of girl with the five minute routine! Thanks for stopping by today – I love Cindy to pieces!
I agree with Lisa, I now have a list of things to try! LOVE your acrylic storage, I’ve had the jewelry hanger for years and love it, as well. Definitely going to try the eyebrow gel, I use with a pencil but am always having to tweak and re-tweak, quick & simple sounds so easy!
I’m like you with the pencil – I use it when I’m going out and want to step up my game again but just don’t have the patience for it every day. The Gimme Brow is so super quick!
Thank you for the useful post. I love that fabric – silver cut velvet/chenille style – in the background of the picture of your tassel bracelet. Is it on a pillow? Could you tell me the source? Thank you.
Hi Mel, yes that is a pillow! I got them at a small design shop years ago so don’t know if anyone still has them or not – the brand is D.V. KAP Home if that helps!
I love the rotating organizer… and all the other great tips!
Thanks Mary Ann! XOXO
Love the organizers. I have a small bathroom and these would work great. I am a super fan of dry shampoos, but have never tried the Living Proof. Looks like a few things I need to pick up. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad you liked this post! My bathroom is super tiny so those organizers have been great. Enjoy your weekend!
Great products and ideas! I love the middle basket storage!
Thanks for the sweet comment! Enjoy your weekend!
Great post! Lots of ideas for a fellow makeup junkie! Do you keep the organizers under the sink and then lift out the whole organizer to use or keep it on the counter? I look forward to reading all your posts!
Sadly, our master bathroom just has a single pedestal sink (no vanity!) but I have a deep nook built into the wall next to the sink that has shelves in it and I keep both organizers there!
Thank you for these lovely ideas, and sharing your lovely home
Thank you! Enjoy your weekend!