STYLE

Choose your character: vanity girl, bathroom girl or floor-in-front-of-mirror girl?

No matter where we decide to do our makeup and skincare routine (lowkey our motivation for getting out of bed), we all need some method of organizing the beauty products we rack up over the years—DW, we won't tell anyone about that cream blush you've had for half a decade.

To help you fix up that overflowing bin of makeup, check out these tips that will allow you to put that "clean girl aesthetic" into practice and effectively organize your beauty products.

Product cleaning 101

We'd all like to pretend that there definitely aren't any dusty particles in our contour blush (a girl can dream, right?). But it's actually super important to make sure that anything that comes in contact with our skin is as clean as possible. Dirty makeup brushes and sponges can especially collect bacteria and cause acne, so it's best to rinse those products with lukewarm water and shampoo as often as every week to every other week. 

Another good rule of thumb: Make sure none of your product is spilling and drying all over its container. That dried-up mascara and concealer aren't doing you any favors, and a little wipe or two every once in a while can go a long way in keeping your products squeaky clean.

Makeup as decor

Target, $25

PSA: storing makeup in your sink or the car is *not* the move. Instead of haphazardly stuffing them somewhere, think of your beauty products as another excuse to add some decor to your desk or vanity. Investing in a rotating makeup stand or organizer is a game-changer—not only does it make it *so* much easier to find that tiny lip liner, but it's also the cutest display ever. Brb, spinning our new makeup organizer just for fun. 

Out with the old

Beauty products don't last forever, so make sure to make a mental note of the expiration dates of your fave staple products. You can find the shelf life on the product label or packaging, usually marked with a number and an "M" that indicates how many months you have to use it from the day you open it to the day it expires. For example, mascaras typically last half a year, while foundation or concealer may last up to a year and a half. 

If you see your makeup storage piling up, it's probably a sign that it's time to part ways. Set aside some time to throw out old products—your future self will thank you for all the extra space you'll have. 

Skincare fridge

Urban Outfitters, $65

Yep, a cutesy minifridge for all your skin secrets. There's nothing wrong with storing your everyday moisturizer and cleanser in your bathroom cabinet, but if you're looking to get a little more advanced, we recommend opting for a mini beauty fridge. Maintaining a cool temperature can help the active ingredients in your products last longer (not to mention it feels extra refreshing in the morning). Puffy face? Don't know her.

Want more beauty tips? Follow us on Instagram @girlslifemag!

Slider and top image: @sloan.byrd

by Anne Chen | 3/30/2024