If you look closely enough, you’ll spot remnants of Christmas wrapping paper here and there in my house. Colourful shreds of ripped Santa scenes and metallic stars poke out from under the sofas and rugs. These tiny reminders of December 25 are also dotted about almost non-existent space on tables and sideboards; competing for mere millimetres against mostly consumed boxes of chocolates (yes, we’re down to the orange creams!), biscuit tins and a terribly over-the-top annual display of battery-powered snow spinners. It’s not that I haven’t vacuumed or tidied up; I just haven’t done it that well. Damp knickers adorn every other radiator, with socks wedged in between the panels on top. It is the period after Christmas but before the New Year, and everything seems to be happening in slow motion: it’s like I’m waiting for ‘life’, as I know it, to start again. But some things are beyond neat and tidy, including my makeup and skincare products.
Amid the chaos of Christmas, I’m relishing a new kind of calm with beauty organisation. An anomaly in my life right now that I’m sooo embracing. No more frantic searches for essential products five minutes before I have to leave home for work. No more worries about messy vanity units or wasting space with empty bottles and jars. I’ve reached a new phase in my quest for organisation and, I feel, it is making a contribution to my overall wellbeing.
Need to find a toner? Want to reach for my newest makeup primer? Setting sprays? No sweat! They are all within touching distance - and are displayed with regimental neatness.
I didn’t achieve this new-found oasis of serenity without splashing a bit of cash. Then again, I haven’t spent a fortune either. All in all, great investments that will continue delivering benefits long after those ripped pieces of wrapping paper finally end up in the recycling bin.
So, what have I done to make such a difference?
A vanity designed for makeup and skincare products
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always skimped when it comes to dressing tables. I got by with a tiny 60cm, one-drawer effort for years. I never, ever sat at it to do my makeup and the very limited storage space meant it just looked a cluttered mess. It was so small, ‘overflow’ products ended up jostling for a home on and in my bedside cabinet, a cube unit and even on the TV stand! Rather than being a place of sanctuary, my bedroom became a veritable Aladdin’s cave of… mostly crap.
Lack of organisation meant I clung onto makeup and skincare products that should have seen the inside of a bin, in some cases, years ago. Empty, out of date, broken, and even stuff I’d never reached for, the amount of rubbish was eye-watering. Enter… a sudden desire for a ‘proper’ vanity-style dressing table with oodles of storage space.
While researching products, I was surprised how much the design of dressing tables has come on. In the 12 years since my last purchase, the choice has expanded vastly. In fact, it is staggering - and so too are the storage options. I must have viewed around 1,000 potential replacements for my out-dated vanity. This time, I wanted one with multiple drawers, storage shelves, an LED mirror, and a charging station. I also quite fancied an add-on space for hair appliances and products.
My budget? £220 - and I got just what I was looking for, and more, for slightly less than that. The additional ‘extras’ included a glass-top with viewable jewellery and makeup drawers and a touch-screen mirror with built-in RGB special effects. Wow!
When it arrived, I had visions of it staying in the box for weeks while my other half worked up some enthusiasm to tackle the build. Nope, he was as keen as I was to see all the clutter gone. It was assembled and ready to be filled in less than two hours! It even came with a suede-topped stool, which meant I could organise in comfort.
I used the top two shelves to display my body mists and perfumes. The bottom shelf came with a lipstick and foundation holder, so that was maxed out pretty quickly. Any products that were past their use-by date or broken were chucked. Surprisingly, with very little hesitation.
Next up, I repurposed some plastic drawer compartments and started filling three side drawers. In the top drawer, I used one compartment for eye products - brow pencils, eyeliners, mascaras, etc. In another, I placed liquid and cream blushers and bronzers, along with concealers. In between the drawer dividers, I placed some primers.
I decided to use the second drawer for eyeshadow palettes I currently use most often, along with setting sprays.
The bottom drawer I reserved for hair care products, using dividers to neatly separate hairbands, grips and general products such as gels and foams.
Next up, I filled my hair product station. It’s bolted onto the side of the dressing table like an extension, so it doesn't spoil the aesthetics of the vanity portion. It easily houses my hairdryer, brushes and heat protection spray.
Finally, I filled the jewellery drawer, which came complete with dividers and ring cushions, before turning my attention to the second viewable top drawer. Inside this, I placed pretty powder compacts and a clear container that holds all 50 of my PLouise makeup brushes.
What about skincare products?
I decided to keep my skincare products on my bedside table - to help ensure I stick to a rigid evening routine, which I consider the most important. However, because removing the clutter was my number one goal, I invested in a covered organiser unit. I actually picked this up in a Prime Day sale for under £20. Amazingly, it accommodated every single one of my skincare products with space to spare! I’ve been able to fill empty drawers with cotton wool pads and lip treatment products - things I previously kept in the bathroom.
The result? Effortless organisation.
In the past, I’ve used open-topped organisers and, I have to say, they always looked messy. Unless you’ve got products that are largely the same shape and size, that type of organiser doesn't offer much in terms of feng shui. They are always going to look like shit.
Having a larger, enclosed unit has made a huge difference.
But that wasn’t all the storage options I had to tidy up my makeup and skincare products.
And eyeshadow palettes?
This is always a tough one for me, because I’ve got so many. Before the ‘big tidy up’ got underway, I gave away the ones I knew I’d never use. I cleaned out two drawers in a sideboard to accommodate others.
My favourite ones, if not in the second drawer of my dressing table, found a new home in something rather special - a PLouise Sleigh-Over luggage case. I actually won it on TikTok, and it’s stunning. I’d already bought one for my granddaughter so, to have one for myself, was absolutely fantastic. It’s on little pink wheels and I love it. I’m a die-hard PLouise fan so this is a storage solution that takes pride of place, right next to my new vanity.
Struggling to find space for your beauty products?
If you are a beauty buff, like me, hoarding can become an issue. I’ve discovered that regularly reviewing what’s in my collection and investing in flexible furniture and storage products can make a huge difference. Instead of amassing dust magnets that create clutter, I’ve got an organised space that meets all my needs and, honestly, makes life easier.
I am going to be starting the New Year with my head in a calm, purposeful place. What makeup and skincare products storage solutions have made a difference to your life? I’d love to know.
Comentarios