3 ways to organize your makeup neatly

Organizing a makeup bag doesn't just make it look good, it also makes it easier to find things. However, there's more to organizing a makeup bag than just keeping it neat and tidy; you have to know what to carry and what not to carry. If you put too many products in the bag, they can not only become messy and disorganized, but also risk damaging the contents.

Method 1: Cleaning your makeup bag.

Step 1: Empty your makeup bag.

Spread a towel on your table so cosmetic cases don't get dirty. You can use an old sweater or shirt instead of a towel. Open your makeup bag, then pour everything onto the towel.

If the bag is dirty inside, wipe it clean with a disinfectant wipe. If you can't get the bag clean again, consider buying a smaller makeup bag with a nylon, plastic, or vinyl lining.

Step 2: Remove all empty containers and damaged or expired makeup.

This includes things like used makeup sponges, tissues, dirty bandages, and wrappers. If you have any damaged or expired makeup (usually after six months), throw it all away. Write down the brand and color of any makeup you're throwing away so you can replace it with similar products.

Step 3: Clean your makeup containers and brushes.

Grab a few disinfectant wipes, then use them to wipe away dirt from your makeup containers. Clean your brushes with a specialized cleaner or a little water and mild soap.

Take a moment to sharpen your pencils. If you don't have disinfectant wipes, use alcohol wipes instead. Place your brushes on a clean towel to dry.

Step 4: Organize products into groups.

Put all your eyeshadow palettes in one group, lipsticks in another, and the same for foundations, etc. This will help you know how many makeup items you have in your bag. Keep all your makeup brushes in one group. If they're still wet, leave them on the towel.

If you only have 1 blush palette and 1 eyeshadow palette, you can put them in the same group. Also, divide your makeup into 3 categories: daily use, occasional use, and rarely used.

Step 5: Discard things you don't need or use.

If you're carrying your makeup bag to work or school, you don't need to bring everything with you. Instead of having 2 foundation bottles, 5 eyeshadow palettes, and a bunch of lipsticks, limit yourself to just 1 of each.

If you've organized your items into 3 groups, put the occasional and rarely used items into their respective groups. You should always carry essential cosmetics. These include mascara, tweezers, lotion, and cotton pads.

Step 6: Put everything back in the bag.

If your bag has multiple compartments, take advantage of them! Use small slots for pencils and wider slots for mascara and lipstick. Place palettes and everything else in the main compartment of the bag. If you organized items into 3 groups, only items from the daily use pile should go into your bag.

Method 2: Organize selectively and efficiently.

Step 1: Limit yourself to the items you use daily.

Don't carry all your eyeshadow palettes or all your lipstick colors. Instead, choose 1 of each product type that you use daily. Leave the rest at home. If you have trouble deciding which colors to bring, choose neutral colors as they are almost always appropriate for common situations.

Step 2: Choose combination palettes to reduce clutter.

Instead of having a separate palette for eyeshadow and another for contour or highlighter, consider using a 3-in-1 palette. For example, grab a palette with blush, contour, and highlighter. Another great example is an eyeshadow palette with multiple colors.

Some single-item cosmetics can also have multiple uses. For example, you can use lipstick as blush! If your eyeshadow or blush compact already has a makeup mirror, then you won't need to carry a small mirror anymore.

Step 3: Carry concealer instead of foundation to save space.

The fewer products you apply to your face, the more your skin will breathe and feel lighter. Instead of carrying primer, foundation, concealer, and setting powder, consider only carrying concealer to cover problem areas, such as under-eye circles.

Step 4: Take advantage of sample and travel-sized products.

Some department stores will give gifts when you spend a certain amount on their products. These kits often contain miniature versions of popular cosmetics, such as moisturizers and eye creams. They are perfectly sized for a makeup bag!

Consider travel-sized versions of makeup remover wipes, cotton swabs, powder puffs, nail polish remover, etc. Can't find a mini version of your favorite product? Make your own! For example, you can pour your favorite makeup remover or lotion into a contact lens case.

Step 5: Use mini makeup brushes.

They take up much less space than larger, standard-sized brushes. Keep your mini brushes in their own carrying case. If they don't have a case, use a zip-lock bag.

Step 6: Use longer-lasting cosmetics.

One reason people carry their makeup bag with them is so they can reapply makeup throughout the day. If you use products designed to last longer, you don't need to carry as many backup cosmetics in your bag.

Look for keywords on product labels like: long-lasting, waterproof, or smudge-proof. Invest in a good primer or setting spray. These can help your makeup last longer.

Step 7: Use a smaller makeup bag.

If you find yourself constantly stuffing more things into your makeup bag, switch to a smaller one. This will force you to only carry what you truly need. For example, a large makeup bag might hold 5 tubes of lipstick, but a small makeup bag will only have room for 1.

Method 3: Stay clean and organized.

Step 1: Choose a bag with a nylon lining if you're buying a new one.

Nylon is easier to clean than leather or fabric lining. Some bags even have plastic or vinyl linings that can be even easier to clean than nylon.

Step 2: Put some makeup remover wipes in your bag.

This way, if any part of your makeup smudges, you can quickly remove it and reduce staining. However, instead of choosing the standard size, opt for a smaller pack of wipes. You can find these at pharmacies and cosmetic stores.

Step 3: Store items in plastic bags to reduce spills.

Simple baggy plastic bags with a folded top would be great for this, but a zip-lock baggy would be even better! To keep things organized, put similar items in each bag. This is not strictly necessary.

If your makeup isn't prone to smudging or spilling, you can skip this step entirely. For example: put all your eyeshadows in one bag and all your lipsticks in another. Separate brushes you use for dark colors from brushes you use for light colors.

Step 4: Clean your bag once a month.

Take everything out of the bag, then wipe the inside clean. Next, wipe off any dirt from your containers. You should also sharpen your pencils and wash your brushes thoroughly. Makeup sponges should be cleaned or replaced weekly.

Step 5: Reorganize your bag at the beginning of each season.

Chances are, you won't be using the same eyeshadows, lipsticks, and foundations in summer as you do in winter. Since you don't carry everything in your bag, you'll need to rotate items as seasons change. For example: As spring turns to summer, switch your foundation to a darker shade.

Leave your blush at home and bring bronzer. As you enter fall and winter, switch to powder and pinks for richer, bolder shades. Check the expiration date of your cosmetics. If a product is damaged or expired, replace it immediately.

Author: Katya Gudaeva. Translator: Bich Ngoc.

Source: Wikihow. Copyright belongs to: Kallos Vietnam.

A little about the author Katya Gudaeva

This article is co-authored by Katya Gudaeva. Katya Gudaeva is a Professional Makeup Artist and Founder of the Bridal Beauty Center based in Seattle, Washington.

She has worked in the beauty industry for over 10 years and with companies like Patagonia, Tommy Bahama, Barneys New York, and with clients such as Amy Schumer, Macklemore, and Train.