Thursday, November 8, 2012

The Messy Wands Non-Guide to Makeup Organization

Because who am I kidding? I am a champ at organization at the work place or if it involves someone else's drawers, but my own stuff is hopelessly sprawled all over my room. That said, I've managed to create some semblance of order on my work/beauty table, and many have requested a peek after I posted the Instagram snap above, so here's a cursory glance at what constitutes my vanity.

The acrylic cases are from Muji. They're both of different heights. In retrospect, I should have just bought two of the 5-drawers since the taller one doesn't do much for me. One of my biggest concerns when it came to putting stuff in was how to maximize use of space while still making sure I can identify the lipsticks. The good thing is they don't roll around, so I can slot in three rows and still see their names on the bottom. For glosses, I leave it at two.

I bought the square 4-drawer version for my pencil-type stuff, and everything else that doesn't fit in the categories (neutrals+black+bases, skin+highlights, colors) is relegated to the cups.

Fun fact: I used to make my own boxes out of cardboard, glue, and cloth. The wooden ones were gifts from my sister. I arrange my palettes sideways and tape on the name of the product for easy identification.

I bought this beautiful wood and leather three-tier drawer at Levenger a long time ago. It was the best investment I've ever made. The second tier houses cheek products, while the third tier contain eyeshadows. I don't think placing my Le Métier de Beauté kaleidoscopes in there is necessarily the best way to use the space, but it'll do for now.

Depotting is also a good way to declutter and save space on the vanity, not to mention an oddly addictive pastime. I'm almost done with my first Z Palette and am contemplating a second one.

How do you organize your makeup? Share your tips in the comments section or upload a picture onto the Messy Wands Facebook page. I would love to have a peek at your vanity table too!

92 comments:

  1. I have some Muji storage on its way to me! Wahooo cannot wait to be organised! Fab post :) x

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    Replies
    1. Stellar! It's taken me so much resolve to not buy so many things from that place

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  2. are those burberry palettes? :-o they look a bit large to be singles.

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  3. Wow Xiao! Your organizational skills are super and your stash is fantastic! I love the Levinger piece; it's gorgeous. I use similar acrylic drawers for some of my stash (I put one on top of another): http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10033097&N=&Ntt=acrylic+drawers

    Question about your Muji pencil drawer. Do you find that it's deep enough for most of your pencils? Some of mine (Burberry liners come to mind) are quite long.

    Thanks for a super post! =)

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    Replies
    1. For most, yes. It's just right for MAC lip pencils, to give you an idea. Too short for Guerlain or Chanel lip pencils at full length.

      THE CONTAINER STORE! I can't step foot in there. I went in once and nearly cried of the magnificence that is that store

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  4. Forgive the double post, but I thought I'd mention the acrylic canisters I use to hold brushes. I have three of these and I line them up (the actually look really nice). I guess they're made for q-tips and the like, but they are great for all kinds of brushes. They are also attached so you don't have wandering canisters all over your vanity.

    http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10001052&N=&Nao=40&Ntt=acrylic

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  5. Great post! I love seeing organization. I think I want some Muji drawers now.

    Here's my most recent post on my makeup organization - it changes pretty frequently because I'm never satisfied!

    http://projectswatch.blogspot.com/2012/10/makeup-stash-organization-october-2012.html

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    Replies
    1. I love your compass ring! If I ever need to expand I'll probably get some drawers. I hate having limited work space sometimes :(

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  6. So organized!! My collection's a mess!

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    Replies
    1. You're only seeing the parts I organized :P The rest of the stash that doesn't fit into any category above are in bags and boxes ><

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  7. Oooh, this has inspired me to change up what I've got going on. Maybe cases would be nicer than my train case. Hmmmm.

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  8. WOW!! so organized! i love it!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! Would love to see your vanity table too :)

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  9. Love peeking in your setup. I think you are magnificently organized. ;-)

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  10. OMG your vanity is a dream!!! and you have so many burberry blushes ( and eye shadows ?) !!
    Btw, I LOVE your blog, like SUPER LOVE!! Thank you for doing it!! I always come to your blog everytime I want to look for a review about make up, esp when it comes to high end brands. And your blog helps a lot!! ( also, helps a lot in terms of spending more money on unnecessary high end brands. lol )
    xx

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    Replies
    1. Blushes and eyeshadows! But I may put some of the blushes to sale soon. I don't use them. I think the color is a little off on me.

      Thank you for the nice words!

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  11. Oh my gosh. This is SERIOUS inspiration to me. I have two five drawer Muji sets and honestly can say, one of the best organization purchases I've ever made! I've been meaning to create a post of my makeup organization showing them, but I've been seriously slacking on keeping my makeup organized. I've been wanting to get one of the Muji sets with deeper drawers for some of my thicker compacts/palettes, but was a little unsure about the dimensions on their website, so this is really helpful to see. Thanks for sharing it

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    Replies
    1. I guess those would work for palettes? I stack two of the Guerlain 6-pans in there with space to spare on top. It's just so difficult to use every single inch of the space in the taller drawers so I feel like it's a waste.

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  12. I love this post so much - I think because I have such a thing for organisation/storage solutions, and a passion for makeup, these kinds of posts are just pure enjoyment!

    I've had Muji storage on my amazon wishlist for a long time and it's my birthday next week and I've made sure everyone who may get me a present has somehow got my wishlist link. So fingers crossed I'll be able to share some storage pics too soon!

    Those wooden boxes are super cute! I really want to get depotting, I find my eyeshadows are too cluttery and having them all in one place would make me more likely to use them all.

    I hope this post sets off a blogging trend - I want to see everyone's storage!
    xx

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    Replies
    1. I want Kate to do a storage post. I actually bought the Z Palette thinking of depotting Suqqu, but when it came time to do it I chickened out :x

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  13. Whoa my gosh is that a lot of GORGEOUS makeup! Ahhhh love it! Everything is so neat and pretty and COMPLETELY the opposite of mine at the moment!! :P

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  14. This is pretty much my dream post -- lots of beautiful make-up and a good nosy around someone's collection and storage. I find it endlessly fascinating :). I too have something of a Muji obsession. Most of my stuff is housed in acrylic drawers with overspill in a pretty Japanese dressing table. I currently keep my liners etc. in pots, but now I'm very tempted by your pencil drawers...

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    Replies
    1. I still think cups were more effective, but this takes up less space. My table's becoming a city!

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  15. I love the drawers with your LMdB glosses & lipsticks - all lined up like little soldiers! And the wood and leather drawers are luxe!
    I'm always inspired to work on my storage after reading posts like this - thanks so much for a peek into how your store your makeup!

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    Replies
    1. Those are my favorite :) I love it when I can line up one brand

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  16. This is SUPER DUPER organized! Taping names on the sides of boxes? MAKING your own boxes? I am impressed.

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    Replies
    1. I used to be quite crafty! *waves at distant past*

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  17. Ahh! So organized, I love it. I'm currently using a Karl Lagerfeld box from Shu Uemura that my girlfriend snagged for me and a TOOLBOX. D: I love Muji, though, so thanks for the tip!

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  18. I'm lusting after your Burberry compacts! My stash is relatively small (but growing fast) and at the moment what I use are those stackable containers with a handle on top? It's two or three layers, and each layer snaps on to the one above it, and the top layer has a lid with a handle. I have three of those, and whatever doesn't fit in there goes in cosmetic bags, like my lipsticks and lip glosses. (I'm up to three blushes and the summer glow compact. My goal is to have all the blushes at some point. If you sell yours can I make a pre-sale offer? :P)

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    1. hahaha I'M SCARED! (but at least i know someone's gonna take them :P)

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  19. I prefer the Muji PP options, I really like the look of polypropylene lol. I might have to buy another one, my collection is growing bigger...

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  20. Boy, it looks exactly like mine make up storage. I invested in 15 boxes from Muji two years ago. What bugs me with them, that I can see my own fingerprints on the plastic, which irritates me immensely, but I am not willing to start wiping them after each use. Another thing, they slide so easily out (oh, those Japanese perfectionists)that I easily lose control of them in my morning rush and finish up with poor products scattered on the floor. My recent loss: 3 RBR shadows and two Shu's old (pre-Loreal) blushes. Pity, pity, pity. Therefore,I feel I have to transcend Muji and find something better (maybe a built-in makeup-storage space- hey, I live in HK, they can built to measure anything here...) But seriously, any good ideas are welcomed...

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  21. I love reading and viewing makeup storage posts. I need good ideas as my own stash grows and grows! Great setup.

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  22. These are incredibly lovely organized! I am so keen to try the pencil layout - currently I have them sitting in little jars which look messy!

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