Your makeup used to spark joy…now it sparks mild panic.
Lipsticks are playing hide and seek in random drawers.
Brushes are a mess, eating up your morning.
Highlighter’s cracked again.
Truth is, cluttered makeup = chaotic vibes.
But don’t worry. I’m not judging, I’m helping.
In this blog post, you’ll find the best ways to organize makeup that are not just cute but crazy-effective. Whether you’re a college student, busy mom, office-goer or beauty influencer, these tips will save your time, money and effort.
Table of Contents
Ways To Organize Makeup By Type of Organizer
Makeup organizers are one of the best inventions in the beauty world. One of the reasons? They save time. In fact, one report found that 30% of people using interactive organizers save 5-8 minutes during their makeup routines.
The other reason? They are available for multiple purposes. Let’s have a look.
1. Countertop organizers
If your vanity or bathroom shelf looks more like a battlefield than a beauty section, countertop organizers are your peace treaty. These handy heroes keep everything within arm’s reach.
Start with a tiered organizer to streamline your cosmetic organization. Use the top tier for skincare bottles, the middle for creams and concealers, and the bottom for foundations or masks. A great sturdy organizer is shown below.
Craving convenience? Try a rotating makeup organizer that lets you spin through your skincare and daily makeup essentials like a pro.
Place serums on one side, foundation and primer on another, and top it with a perfume or two. It’s perfect for compact spaces where every inch counts.
And if minimalism’s your thing, go for clear stackable drawers as shown below.
They give everything a home without cluttering your vibe. One drawer for eye products, one for hair, one for the face. Toss in a few velvet inserts to keep things from sliding around and for an upscale touch.
These are just ideas. You can choose to merge all of them as well, e.g., choose each makeup organizer for your vanity: one holds your hair-related accessories, the other your face makeup and the third one your skincare + fragrances.
P.S. Such organizers make great gifts for organized people.
2. Movable makeup carts
If your makeup trends migrate from your bedroom to the bathroom to the living room, it’s time to invest in a movable makeup cart.
These rolling wonders are a dream for makeup organization, especially if you’re short on counter space or love getting ready wherever the light’s best.
Use the top shelf for daily makeup essentials (think foundation, mascara and setting spray). The middle tier can hold brushes in cups and dividers with lip products, while the bottom shelf is great for backups and bulkier palettes.
It can also be given as a helpful present to a makeup artist you know.
3. Via drawer organizers
The best way to organize makeup in a drawer is by using well-fitted drawer organizers that bring order to the chaos.
Start with makeup category separation: use individual trays for eye products, lipsticks and complexion items. Or you can separate via body features i.e., ear, eye, face, hair, etc.
Try these acrylic drawer organizers that let you instantly spot what you need, while the modular setup means it will fit almost any drawer.
For a tighter space or under-desk vanity setup, a hidden storage drawer can come in handy. This teenage girl-loved product holds slim items like brow pencils, sponges or face masks.
And if you want a budget-friendly solution, go for free combination drawers dividers that let you resize sections based on product size.
No more rolling lipsticks or shattered highlighters.
With the right makeup storage in your drawer, every product has its place and your prep becomes a whole lot smoother.
For instance, look at Pamela organizing her HUGE lipstick collection using drawer dividers.
4. In a hanging makeup organizer
If you’re running out of shelf or drawer space, try going vertical. Hanging makeup organizers are one of the most creative ways to organize makeup, especially in tight spaces like dorm rooms or small bathrooms.
Use the back of a door or closet to hang a multi-pocket organizer, such as the one shown below.
Slide your foundation bottles, palettes, sheet masks, eye shadows and even heatless curlers into the mesh pockets. Bonus: the clear mesh lets you instantly find what you’re looking for.
It’s a brilliant option for makeup decluttering and can be used as a great product for organizing shoes as well.
Ways to Organize Makeup By The Material of The Organizer
Organizers come in different materials but the top 4 are mentioned below. See which one suits your needs the best.
1. Wood
If you want your makeup storage to feel more “spa treat,” wooden organizers are a good option. Perfect for rustic or cozy interiors, wood adds an earthy charm to your storage setup.
Opt for a bamboo drawer unit or a multi-tiered wooden caddy for your lipsticks, palettes and brushes. Some even come with built-in mirrors that make vanities the ‘celebrity corners’ to get ready.
| Pros | Cons |
| Durable & eco-friendly | Can absorb moisture easily |
| Adds warmth to the vanity setup | Limited design variety |
2. Glass
For that boutique-vibe vanity, glass organizers are the way to go. Imagine lining up your perfumes, skincare and blush-ons in clean, clear glass trays. Transparency and class – all in one.
And when you have to clean them, simply wipe them using a cleaning solution and they’ll be as good as new.
| Pros | Cons |
| Stylish & clear display | Fragile. Can shatter if dropped |
| Easy to clean & sanitize | Fingerprints and water spots show easily |
| Higher price point | |
| Heavier than plastic |
3. Plastic
If you’re after a budget-friendly makeup organization that doesn’t skimp on versatility, plastic organizers are your best friend. These lightweight workhorses come in tons of colors and sizes, making them ideal for customizing your setup, perfect for students and beauticians or anyone with changing collections.
For example, you can grab a tiered plastic drawer set in pastel hues for separating eye makeup products, lipsticks and blush pans. One of them is shown below.
Or you can simply use plastic trays/bins for a hassle-free setup. The video below shows the application of this method.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight and portable | Can scratch or warp over time |
| Cost-effective & available in many shades | Less elegant than glass or even wood |
| Durable against drops & mishaps | |
4. Acrylic
Acrylic for organizing makeup is what comes between glass and wood in terms of elegance, cost and durability. Available in both opaque and transparent styles, think of them as the glass of the organizing world, but more durable and cheaper.
This is one reason why it’s becoming so popular among people. According to a report, the global acrylic organizer market was valued at $1.3B in 2024 and is expected to grow to $2.5B by 2033.
You can choose tiered acrylic organizers to hold lipsticks and eyeliners, while clear drawer organizers, like the ones shown below, can house your daily makeup items for easy access.
Ways To Organize Makeup By Accessory
This is another great way to organize your makeup. Caroline Solomon, an organizing and cleaning expert, swears by this method as well, saying,
So, what divisions can there be?
1. Makeup brushes
Let’s face it! Your brushes do the heavy lifting, so why let them live in clutter? Whether you own a five-piece travel set or a full-on MUA collection, there are better ways to organize makeup brushes than tossing them haphazardly.
Opinion A: Go vertical with clear makeup brush holders like the one shown below. It keeps bristles upright.
Option B: If you want a more stylish spin, use a marble toothbrush holder or a clear mug that looks straight out of Pinterest.
Option C: And if you’re short on space, try drawer dividers lined with felt. They’re quite practical for laying brushes flat without damaging the bristles.
Keep it in mind, as a rule, always keep your brushes upright. This is what Wade, the founder of Cheek to Chic, says as well:
2. Palettes
Organizing palettes is tricky because they come in both vertical and horizontal styles. But here’s the solution:
For vertical storage (think contour sticks), use a clear letter sorter or acrylic file organizer. It keeps palettes standing upright with spine-out visibility.
For storing flat palettes like eyeshadows and highlighters, go for shallow drawers with drawer dividers that allow makeup category separation. Place the larger ones in the back and the smaller ones up front.
3. Lip products
The first way of organizing lip products is by turning them into a color-coded display.
Red, orange, nude.
The second way is by shades:
Matte, gloss, satin.
And the third way is by purpose:
Every day, party, dates.
And where to put them? Lipstick holders, drawers or rotating holders like the one shown below.
4. Beauty tools
These include facial tools, tweezers, curlers and everything in between. These small-but-mighty essentials deserve more than a random spot in the corner of your drawer.
So, what are some ways to organize beauty tools?
- Use drawer dividers to section off beauty blenders, spoolies and tweezers.
- Attach magnetic strips inside cabinet doors for metal items like nail scissors.
- Use a zippered pouch for hot tools like straighteners and eyelash curlers to prevent cord tangles.
- Designate a mini tray for quick grabs like makeup sponges.
5. Base products
Your foundations, concealers and primers are the backbone of your look, so why not store them like they matter?
The easiest method is to group them by action: primers in one section, foundations in another and concealers in the third.
6. Skincare products
Keep your serums, moisturizers, toners and sunscreens grouped together in a plastic bin for easy access
Or you can use a sturdy cosmetics organizer for a more stylish look.
Creative Ways to Organize Makeup
Now that I have discussed 3 different configurations of organizing makeup, i.e., by type of organizer, by material of organizer, by type of accessory, it’s time to share with you some of the creative ways to organize makeup, which you will be impressed by.
1. Spice racks
Repurpose a wall-mounted or standing spice rack to store your makeup brushes, lipsticks and foundations. It keeps products upright and off your crowded counter.
2. Muffin trays
Muffin tins aren’t just for baking; they’re ideal for keeping single eyeshadows, highlighters or blush spots separated. Pop one inside a drawer to instantly create compartments for smaller items that usually get lost in the shuffle.
3. Cutlery trays
Perfect for makeup decluttering, a cutlery tray gives each tool its own lane. Use the long slots for brushes and lip liners; shorter ones can store concealers or compact foundations.
4. Glass jars or cups
Don’t toss that empty glass jar; clean it out and use it to store mascaras, brow pencils and makeup sponges. You can add decorative beads or coffee beans for a touch of flair, so it feels “you.”
This economical method is recommended by Solomon, an organizing expert, as well. She said,
FAQs
How to organize makeup without buying anything?
Use what you already have to organize makeup without spending money: muffin trays for small items, cups for brushes and cutlery trays for categorizing. You can also repurpose glass containers and jars to create a neat and functional setup.
Where to store makeup in the bathroom?
Keep makeup in the drawers, cabinets or containers placed away from the humidity in the bathroom. You may also use stackable bins and magnetic organizers on the wall for compact storage. Avoid leaving products on open counters to prevent bacteria buildup.
What is the best way to organize makeup?
Group items by type—lips, eyes, base—and use dividers or clear bins for makeup category separation. Keep daily essentials in a dedicated tray and less-used products stored away. Label, stack and rotate regularly to declutter and keep your routine smooth.
How to organize makeup without a vanity?
Some of the ways to organize makeup without a vanity are by using movable carts, wall-mounted shelves or under-desk drawers. Hanging organizers work behind doors as well, while boxes with compartments can be used after placing them on dressers.
Bottom line
From drawer hacks to countertop organizers, these ways to organize makeup can turn your daily routine from frantic → flawless. You don’t need a full vanity or fancy tools, but a little creativity and consistency.
Pick one method, try it out and watch how much smoother your makeup organization becomes. Got your own genius makeup organization tip? Share it in the comments below.