WHAT A MESS!

Do you have a clutter, be it small, medium, or large of a mess of cosmetics? It's easy for us to grab something and then put it where it's convenient and it just piles up. But today I will share with you on some tips of getting a bit organized where you can maximize your product uses and space!

• Have a designated spot for your stuff. It makes it easier for you to do everything in one space than having to travel back and forth to do things.
• KEEP EVERYTHING ORGANIZED!!!!! This is the most important thing to do. It can be a difficult thing to do but it also can be easy peasy!
• Invest in a storage unit for your items but don't undersize or oversize. If you plan on purchasing more items or having back-ups, then it's best to buy a size or so larger unit than what you need. It'll give you extra storage space but won't take up as much room like the Alex drawer unit from Ikea that you would only use 1 drawer out of it.
• And you don't have to have drawer units. There's a really nice turntable type of organizer available on Amazon, in different sizes. When I first saw it, it was perfect for holding hair products but it can hold makeup, hair stuff, skin care, whatever you want honestly. Here's a picture of the mini one...
  
  
  
• As you can see, even the mini one holds quite a bit of things and it even has dividers. This one would be perfect for someone who has a small beauty collection or a small space. As mentioned, you can find these on Amazon, just search "makeup organizers" and you'll find all sorts of organizers. This particular one can be found HERE.
• If you have a bunch of smaller items such as bobby pins, lipsticks, eyeliner pencils, single eyeshadows, primers, hair ties, it's also a good idea to look for single little holders. It will keep them separated from the rest and easier to get to and thus more likely to be used! You can use anything from empty candle jars, plastic pencils desk holders. I even took a fingernail polish box and cut off the top, taped up the sides in decorative tape, and BAM! Instant little box holder. If you guys want a tutorial for it just let me know!
• DO NOT OVER BUY!!! I know it's hard to not buy this amazing new item so and so got and reviewed and now everyone is getting it. You don't need the same color/shade/hue of whatever in 10 different brands. Just about every lipstick I have is either red or pink and they're all almost the same. The same thing with eyeshadows. You don't need the same color brown in Chanel, Too Faced, Wet N Wild, NYX, Urban Decay, MAC, Inglot, etc. At MOST you need 2. IF you plan on using it THAT much or if you know that they will retire/discontinue/limited edition it and even so it's ONLY when you use it A LOT. I have NEVER emptied out an eyeshadow. It takes a LONG while for those to run out.
• If you are just doing things on you and occasionally on your friends/family, your do not, I repeat, YOU DO NOT need to have one of those mega beauty rooms with 500 billion items. You will not be finishing anything and waste your money because things do expire. If you are in the beauty business, not a self proclaimed "beauty guru", like a licensed cosmetologist, makeup artist, etc then it's perfectly acceptable because you're going to be using those to make your money every day. If you're not licensed then you don't have the need to have that much. It seems nice on camera but it does add up and quick and once you get in it, you then realize, people who do this, do this for life. It's not a quick cash thing.
• It's perfectly fine to test out items but if you don't like it then take it back for an exchange or donate it to a family member or friend because if you don't like it then you're not going to use it and it's just going to sit there. Let someone else get some use out of it.
• There is no end all, be all cosmetic product. That goes for hair and skin. In the hair industry, we call it cocktailing which means to achieve the look/condition of your hair you need to mix products. But this also doesn't mean you need 10 items. It's perfectly fine to have more than one or two but don't over do it. You don't need 4 different hair oils, you know?
• Samples, samples, samples! They are a great way to test out a product and don't take up too much room. The only problem, mostly with makeup, it's near impossible to get a sample to buy unless you're on like etsy or if you order from the cosmetics website and they send you a sample with your purchase. Hair samples are MUCH easier to obtain and a SUPER awesome thing. I currently have a sample of Redken's Diamond Oil which I want very much but it is a pricey item. $40. So having the sample lets me try out the item and letting my clients know how it works, the smell, the texture, etc without breaking the bank.
• Do your research on products before purchasing them. Is it something you "need" or just shiny and new? A simple makeup collection should consist of a moisturizer, face primer, foundation, powder, blush, lipstick, lipgloss, eyeshadow primer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, bronzer, and a highlighter. That's pretty much everything you would "need" for a full face of makeup. Of course you don't have to have all of that. If you're someone who just puts on foundation and mascara then that's perfectly fine! As for hair, it honestly depends on your hair type and need and what you're looking to achieve. If you color your hair a lot and it's dry then you would want to invest in color protecting and moisturizing products.

A lot might sound contradicting and repetitive but the main thing is to not over buy and get overwhelmed. I know A LOT of people who have bought things just because of the hype or they bought something that they like but never use. You will figure out the perfect organization for yourself and how it's set up. Everyone is different and has their unique quirks :)

I hope that this has helped someone and if you have any input then leave a comment down below! If you have an awesome idea then please share!