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Whether you’re a makeup minimalist or a full-on beauty aficionado, keeping your makeup and skincare products organised can feel like a never-ending challenge.
Nail polish makeup brushes and lipsticks get lost easily, palettes pile up, and before you know it, your foundation is sharing drawer space with old receipts and hair ties.
At Nesta Storage, we know how easily clutter builds up with the stresses of daily life – and how satisfying it is when everything finally has a home.
That’s why we’ve merged our best makeup organising tips into one streamlined guide to help you declutter, store smarter, and protect your favourite beauty buys.
From clever DIY hacks to space-saving systems, here’s how to get your cosmetics and makeup products under control – and keep them that way.
Start With a Declutter
Before you organise anything, it’s time for a proper clear-out. Go through every drawer, pouch, and makeup bag and ask yourself:
- Is this product still in date?
- Have I used it in the past six months?
- Would I honestly reach for it again as part of my regular routine?
Check expiry dates:
Look for labels like 3M, 6M, 12M or 24M – this indicates how many months after opening the product remains safe to use.
Be extra cautious with mascaras and liquid eyeliners, which can harbour bacteria. Don’t forget to toss expired sunscreens and SPF foundations, which lose effectiveness after a year.
Pro tip: If you have unused, in-date products you no longer want, consider giving them to friends or family (just be sure they haven’t been opened).
Sort, Categorise and Group by Use
Once you’ve trimmed the excess, it’s time to organise what’s left. Start by sorting your beauty products into categories:
- Skincare vs Makeup
- Lipsticks/Lipliners
- Foundations/Concealers
- Eyeshadow Palettes
- Makeup Tools and Brushes
You can then further group by daily use, occasional use, and special occasion.
This will help determine what needs to be stored within arm’s reach and what can be kept aside.
Get Clear on Your Storage Needs
The size and type of your makeup collection should influence how you store it. Do you have bulky skin care products? Dozens of compact lipsticks? Or lots of tools and brushes?
Here are some brilliant options:
Clear Acrylic Drawers
Perfect for grouping by product type. Easy to label, easy to clean, and easy to see through – so you don’t waste time digging.
IKEA Alex Drawer Units
A cult favourite for beauty lovers, especially those with larger collections.
These shallow, wide drawers prevent products from being buried at the back. Add drawer dividers for even better organisation.
Acrylic Makeup Carousels
These rotating towers are ideal for frequently used products like moisturisers, primers and daily makeup.
They use vertical space efficiently, and you can spot everything at a glance.
Maximise Your Dressing Table Space
Whether it’s a compact corner or a full-size vanity, your dressing table should be a functional and beautiful space.
Start by clearing the surface and only placing your most-used items within reach – think daily foundation, moisturiser, or brow pencil.
- Use stackable trays or acrylic drawers underneath a mirror
- Keep brushes upright in a jar or votive holder
- Store backups and overflow products elsewhere to avoid clutter
A clean and tidy makeup organise routine on your dressing table helps streamline your mornings and keeps your favourite products easily accessible.
Build a Smart Beauty Storage System
Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining a tidy routine. A good storage system should be flexible, functional and tailored to your needs.
- Use smaller containers inside drawers to keep things in place
- Rotate your products seasonally to keep everyday items relevant
- Keep your favourite makeup bag packed and ready for weekend breaks or overnight stays
The goal is to create a system that not only looks great but also works for your lifestyle.
Make It Sustainable
Repurposing everyday household items is not only budget-friendly – it’s eco-friendly too.
Here are a few simple swaps:
- Old candle jars = brush holders
- Shoebox lids = drawer trays
- Empty perfume bottles = decor or mini bud vases
- Ribbons, labels and washi tape = personalised flair
Pinterest is Your Best Friend
When in doubt, search Pinterest for inspiration.
From minimalist chic to maximalist colour-coding, there are endless clever ideas to suit every style, space and budget.
Try These 14 Genius DIY Makeup Storage Ideas for Further Inspiration
Still seeking more inspo on how best to keep your beauty items safe and sound?
These quick and affordable hacks are tried and tested by beauty fans everywhere:
1. Use a cool magnetic board
This storage idea may take a little effort, but it will be worth it. Sometimes, we forget what things we have. For example, if you have fifty shades of eyeshadow, you might forget which colours you have.
If you get a magnetic board (you can get them from most stationery shops), it could solve this problem. Glue a small piece of metal to the back of each product.
Then, you can make a display of all your favourite items. Easy.
2. Invest in drawer dividers
If you tend to keep all your makeup in a drawer, you need to stop it mingling.
Makeup drawer dividers tend to be for stationary, but you can use them for everything. Slip one inside your drawer to separate your products.
3. Or, get a bead divider instead
If that fails, you could even get a bead divider. Again, you can get these things from sewing shops.
4. Create a beautiful pouch for your brushes
Speaking of sewing – if you’re a dab-hand at the art, you could make a pouch for your brushes.
That way, you can keep them all in one place. Sew a small pouch so that you have the perfect container.
5. Create mini hanging baskets
Are your products cluttering up your surfaces? Well, you’re not alone. One thing you can do is start hanging your products up in little baskets.
You can get small containers from any arts and crafts shop. Use a piece of string or wire to make the line. You can use pegs to keep your baskets in place.
6. Use some mini drawers
Mini drawers tend to be perfect for storing small items.
You can often buy these drawers from sewing shops as they are ideal for thread and needles. That doesn’t mean you can’t use them for makeup.
7. Get a cork board
Do you have a memo board in your room? If you do, you can use it to pin up little pouches.
That way, you can pop all your makeup in the separate bags on the board.
8. Or, a hanging organiser
You may have seen hanging organisers before now. Many homeware stores tend to sell them for your kitchen items. Well, why not use them for your selection of makeup?
You can pop one on the back of your bedroom door so that it’s always accessible.
9. Make use of spare magazine racks
Do you have a magazine rack, yet no magazines? Most people tend to read things online these days. So, what should you do with the rack?
Well, if you have any square products (such as a block of eye shadows), you can pop them in the rack.
10. Use jars for extra storage
If you have loads of things like brushes and mascaras, you need somewhere they won’t get messy. If you have any spare jars, they could be the perfect answer to your problem.
Paint them in quirky colours and even add a little ribbon for a cute look.
11. Get some mini votive holders
Votive holders are ideal if you happen to have loads of makeup brushes.
You should fill the bottom of one with some beads so that you can stand your brushes up in the container.
12. Use an old pencil case
If you have an old pencil case from your school days, you might want to put it to use. Many cases have dividers in them, and so you can put them to good use.
Pop your products in the different sections. If you only have a few products, this idea is a lifesaver.
13. Use glass containers
Sometimes, you need to see the makeup you have. Well, you should always aim to get small glass containers for your things.
That way, you don’t have to go searching around in your containers for things – you can see where they are!
14. Keep everything in the same place
Finally, there is one essential thing that you need to remember.
That is that you should always keep particular products in the same location. The last thing you need is to forget where everything it is.
We hope that our incredible ideas help you to get your makeup in check!
Why not try them out for yourself? It could make a massive difference to your space at home.
Going Beyond the Beauty Bag? Nesta Can Help!
If your beauty collection is outgrowing your bathroom, bedroom, vanity room or dressing table – or you’re preparing for a move or renovation – a small, secure self storage unit can make all the difference.
At Nesta, we provide clean, dry, and easily accessible beauty storage spaces across six Dublin locations.
Whether you’re storing surplus beauty products, safeguarding your high-end skincare, or simply reclaiming space at home, our flexible units are the perfect solution.
Your makeup deserves more than a cluttered drawer or an overstuffed makeup bag – you don’t need to be Marie Kondo to organise your space, it’s an art form we can help you master.
Get a quote today and explore your local Nesta Storage options.
