Five Ways To Store Your Everyday Makeup

Although my crazy days of waiting for the MAC store to open so I could get my hands on the latest release because I was just that obsessed with makeup, have passed, there’s still one beauty-related passion that’s just as strong as the first day I had a dalliance with it – makeup storage. I still remember one Christmas when I was given a lilac plastic vanity box with some toe separators and a lip balm inside of it. I must have been about nine and over the years I filled it with various body glitters, scrunchies and hair mascaras. It was glorious and so even today I still keep an eye out for Instagram-worthy and practical ways to store all things makeup. Here are five of my favourite methods…

GOOD OL’ ACRYLIC. I think my favourite way to store my makeup, is still the original – got to love some wipeable plastic, eh? Of course MUJI are the best when it comes to this, but I love this (annoyingly now out of stock), blue hued two-tier sorter from Oliver Bonas that I found last year. There’s still no one out there who has really nailed in terms of the perfect proportions, but the the former and the latter do pretty well at it and a quick search of Etsy and eBay unroots some more finds.

A BEAUTY BAR CART. I want a bar cart so badly, but as someone who doesn’t drink that often or has space in their front room for one, it’s not the kind of purchase that I can exactly justify. That’s why I quite like the idea of having it as a moveable beauty station that can easily be cleared and replaced with a cocktail shaker and some martini glasses if you’ve got people over. Pop a mirror on top and place a stool near it and you’re good to go. I can’t get this West Elm Terrace Bar Cart out of my mind.

ON THE WALL. Did anyone else read the Into The Gloss post on Kelsey Darragh? Because if you did, I bet you spotted what I did. Did you see her makeup brushes stored in acrylic boxes on the wall? Isn’t that such a good idea. That’s where she pops her brushes, but there’s nothing to stop you finding a spot on your wall for your everyday makeup bits if you’re short on counter space. A great option for those working with smaller living quarters.

MULTI-USE TERRARIUMS. You know those terrariums that you buy because they look cool and you think that you’ll get to flex you green fingers when you fill them, but you never do? Yeah, I have a couple of those dotted around the flat too. Now whilst browsing Pinterest I found that a load of people use them as storage for a whole plethora of beauty goods from cotton buds to brushes. How genius is that? If you fancy picking some up, my favourite terrariums are from West Elm and Oliver Bonas.

BAG IT UP. Of course there is the classic makeup bag. Now I don’t store my makeup in a bag on a daily basis, but whenever I travel I stuff it into a Hay Makeup Bag, that actually looks a little something like this John Lewis Gold Polka Frame Case. It’s just the right size to stuff in enough bits when you’re away on pretty low-key beauty travels and it always makes me want to downsize when I come home because I realise how little I actually use when my choice is limited. I’m also eyeing up this John Lewis Dream Cosmetics Pouch; one – because it’s got leaf print on it and two – because it’s washable and foundations have a sneaky habit of making a run for it.

Photos by Lauren Shipley

SHOP THE POST