How To Organize Your Makeup Drawers: The Ultimate Guide

Harikesh Chauhan By Harikesh Chauhan March 5, 2025
makeup drawer organizer

For those with a less-than-organized makeup drawer, getting ready can turn into a stressful affair. When your beauty products are disorganized, you end up wasting time looking for what you need, risk using expired products, and may even find yourself repurchasing items you already have. Not only does your makeup drawer organizer make it easier to find and use your products, but it can also prolong the life of your makeup and create a more aesthetically pleasing area.

The guide covers the best strategies for decluttering, categorizing, and organizing your makeup collection. No matter if you have a tiny drawer or a full vanity, these tips will help you achieve a curated and organized space that streamlines your beauty routine.

Step 1: Decluttering Your Makeup Collection

Empty Your Drawer

Take everything out of your makeup drawer to start. From here, you’re going to be able to see all the products that you actually own and have a blank slate.

Sort Items Into Categories

  • First, group your makeup into the following categories before organizing:
  • Face products (foundation, concealer, powder, blush, bronzer, highlighter.
  • Makeup for the Eyes (eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner, brow products)
  • Lip products (lipsticks, glosses, liners, balms)
  • Tools and accessories (brushes, sponges, eyelash curlers)
  • Moisturizers, serums, primers — skincare essentials

Check Expiration Dates

The shelf life of makeup products is really limited. Using expired products could cause skin irritation and infections. If you’re looking for a rule of thumb for how long makeup lasts before it goes bad, here you go:

  • Mascara & Liquid Eyeliner: 3-6 months
  • Foundation and concealer: 6-12 months
  • Lipsticks and Lip Glosses: 1-2 Years
  • Powder products (blush, bronzer, eyeshadow): 2 years
  • Eyeliners and lip liners: 1-2 years

It’s time to toss any product that’s changed in texture, smell or color.

15 Discard unused or duplicate items

If you didn’t use a product within the last six months, it is likely that you don’t need it. Pass unopened food along to friends, family or shelters. Throw away products that are expired or outdated.

Step 2: Select the Right Organizers

Drawer Dividers

Drawer dividers keep everything organized and free from rolling around. Opt for dividers that you can adjust to create sections tailored to your needs.

Acrylic Organizers

Clear acrylic organizers are a sleek, modern look, and you’ll be able to see all your products at once.

Small Baskets or Trays

Baskets and trays are great for clustering like things together. In them, you can separate daily necessities from occasional-use items.

Stackable Containers

For small spaces, stackable containers maximize vertical storage but leave everything easy to reach.

Step 3: Magnetic Organizers OR Rotating Organizers

For users with larger makeup collections, store them in a magnetic board or a rotating makeup organizer so they’re accessible but still save space.

Now, rearrange and organize your makeup for easy access.

Front and Center Daily Essentials

Put the products you use every day in the front or the most accessible part of your drawer. That covers foundation, mascara, and your favorite lipstick.

Categorize by Product Type

It is easy to find what you need as similar products are grouped together. Have separate compartments for lipsticks, eye makeup, and face make-up.

Store Brushes and Tools Separately

Makeup brushes can be stood up in a cup or holder to protect the bristles. Wash brushes often, to keep bacteria from collecting.

Label Your Containers

If you have several compartments, identifying them allows an easier way to keep things organized and find things quickly.

Step 4: Keep Organizing Your Makeup Drawer

Adopt a One-In, One-Out Rule

To ensure that clutter doesn’t return, follow the one-in, one-out rule. If you’ve purchased a new item, dispose of an old one.

As Needed, Clean and Rearrange

Every few months, set a date to declutter and clean out your makeup drawer. Wipe organizers and look for expired products

Store Products Properly

  • Store your makeup drawer in a cool, dry place, be away from direct sunlight to preserve product quality.
  • Retailing beauty products are always alluring.
  • There are also many inexpensive ways to organize your makeup if you are on a budget.

Repurpose Household Items

  • Mason jars and cups: For holding brushes, lipsticks and eyeliners.
  • Ice cube trays: Ideal for housing mini things like lipsticks and single shadows.
  • Silverware trays: Perfect for organizing makeup in drawers.
  • Shoe boxes: Wrap them with decorative paper for cute levels of storage compartments.

DIY Makeup Organizers

Use cardboard dividers: Cut a few pieces of cardboard and use them to make sections in your drawers.

Magnetic boards: For access at a glance, you can attach small magnets to your makeup items and put them on a board.

Hanging organizers: A clear hanging shoe organizer hung on the back of a door can provide extra storage.

Affordable Store Options

Dollar stores: Carry all sorts of small containers and bins.

Thrift stores: Hunt for vintage cups, trays and organizers.

Discount retailers: Budget-conscious stores like Walmart and Target sell affordable storage options.

Additional Tips for a Perfect Makeup Setup

Use a Vanity Mirror with Storage

A vanity mirror with integrated storage will ensure your essentials are always close at hand and that your space is being put to good use.

  • For travel, invest in a Makeup train case
  • For the traveler in your life, a train case to organize and protect makeup on the go.
  • Use a small makeup bag for everyday makeup

If you’re constantly on the go, maintain a small makeup kit with your essentials so you can do touch-ups during the day.

Conclusion

An organized makeup drawer can help streamline your beauty routine (who really has time for a time-consuming process?) and make it more enjoyable. From decluttering and selecting the right storage systems to keeping items organized, you can achieve an orderly and appealing space. Follow these strategies to turn your makeup drawer into an organized sanctuary and to make it easier to locate and use the products you love! A clean beauty routine, start today!

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