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Looking for Cheap, Stylish Ways to Organize Your Makeup?

August 30th, 2008 by Karen 46 Comments

Your local art store may have just the thing you need to keep your growing makeup stash organized.

Most arts and crafts stores stock unvarnished wooden boxes in assorted shapes and sizes. They make perfect (and affordable) makeup storage containers. I spied these boxes, each ranging from a whopping $1.50 to a staggering $3, at my local Ben Franklin Craft Store this afternoon. They’re perfect for storing eye shadows, blushes, glosses or whatever your makeup-lurving heart desires.

I bought the smallest one for $1.50. What an incredible deal, and it holds 14 pans of MAC shadow!

I kinda like the unpainted color of the wood, but if you wanted something with a bit more spunk you could decorate your boxes with stickers, pins, fabric shapes, or you could varnish, paint or draw on them in pen.

I’m definitely paying regular visits to crafts stores more often. It really got the creative juices flowing.

Daily Photo(s)

How scary are these art store dolls? I think I may have nightmares about ’em tonight.

This one bears a striking resemblance to actor Rob Schneider.

LOLOLOLZ!

Hope you’re having a good night!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Looking for Cheap, Stylish Ways to Organize Your Makeup? / Originally published August 30th, 2008

There are 46 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup Tips/How To

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Comments

  1. Breezy says

    August 31st, 2008 at 12:33 am

    OMG Karen, that IS a Rob Schneider doll!! I like those boxes too, way cute and heck yeah you can’t mess with that price. Aww I’ve missed coming on here and commenting but life has been ALL over and back. I got into nursing school yaaaay! So I had to move and do all sorts of stuff, you know how it goes, anyway I think I’m caught up on your posts which have been awesome. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  2. Eru says

    August 31st, 2008 at 1:22 am

    Actually, I bought my vanity mirror in one of that craft stores! Then I painted it and bought the mirror. 😀 You can find some cool things! And it’s so creative to buy something and paint it yourself.
    Here, I took a pic of it just for you 😀 .
    http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/2769/imagen2078rc8.jpg

    Are you going to paint it? Don’t forget to use sandpapers if so!
    Hugs! :3

    Erus last blog post..Exceptionnel VS. Inimitable. A Chanel Epic Fight ^-^

    Reply
    • Masi says

      June 14th, 2010 at 7:46 pm

      aww the link for you pic is broken 🙁 I was looking forward to taking a look at it…

      Reply
  3. Karen B says

    August 31st, 2008 at 2:20 am

    Lol at the doll.
    I bought this untreated box with drawers at Ikea to get my stuff in. It has three smaller drawers to get tools and long stuff such as eyelash curlers and brushes in and two larger ones for pots and stuff. ^^

    Karen Bs last blog post..Oh my effing Iker

    Reply
  4. Asta says

    August 31st, 2008 at 3:10 am

    These boxes are neat. I would paint or stain them, then use modgepodge to make collages!

    Reply
  5. Anna says

    August 31st, 2008 at 3:28 am

    Hi Karen,

    Those boxes are a great idea…..I’ve stored mine in Ikea drawers too,but I’m alway looking out for other ways to store them. I would be tempted to cover them in Laura Ashley wallpaper and varnish it….that coffin box….what would someone use it for other than to bury their pet mouse ??;)

    Those dolls are freaking scary…..those wirey lashes and tash…..does look like the Gigolo man at a second glance !

    Reply
  6. Emme says

    August 31st, 2008 at 5:39 am

    Hi Karen,
    I keep my makeup in my drawer (inside some clear plastic boxes for partition) because I simply don’t like the train cases where you have to dig in for almost everything. Personal, chic and affordable makeup storage has been on my mind lately and this is a great post (as always).

    Reply
  7. Dao says

    August 31st, 2008 at 8:01 am

    You are so awesome! It’s nice to wake up on Sunday morning and have a nice laugh. I got some organizing done yesterday as well. I went to JoAnn’s and bought some containers. See, I told you before we’re telepathic 😛

    Daos last blog post..Musings on MAC Limited Editions

    Reply
  8. Shefali says

    August 31st, 2008 at 8:23 am

    Wow…that deal is freaky and ugly. Reminds me of those Kewpie dolls.

    Reply
  9. Glosslizard says

    August 31st, 2008 at 9:02 am

    Happy Sunday, Karen!

    I really prefer to have my makeup in transparent containers so I can remember what I have! I found some wonderful lucite drawer chests at the Container Store that I love (but were a lot pricier)! I am very tempted to get one of the little coffins, though, I would paint the outside black, line the inside with pink satin and label it R.I.P.Gloss! LOL!

    …but those dolls… *shudder*

    Reply
  10. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 11:19 am

    Hi Breezy,

    It’s so good to hear from you. 🙂 Congrats on getting into nursing school! That’s fantastic!

    I hope you’re settled in and that you’re enjoying it and studying hard. 🙂

    Take care and pop by once in awhile to let me know how things are going!

    Reply
  11. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 11:19 am

    Hi Eru,

    Aww, the pic isn’t working! I want to see your beautiful handiwork!

    I like it plain but I think I might paint it or stain it in the future. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 11:19 am

    Hi Karen B.,

    Ikea is so handy for storage. I get overwhelmed sometimes with all the options there, but they have a *ton* of good storage stuff on the cheap!

    Reply
  13. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 11:19 am

    Hi Asta,

    Oh yah! Collage is a great idea. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 11:19 am

    Hi Anna,

    LOL, the coffin boxes are quite strange. Halloween is in two months; I guess some folks start REALLY EARLY!

    Reply
  15. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 11:20 am

    Hi Emme,

    Thanks! I’m glad you liked it. 🙂

    I’m with ya on the train cases. While cute, I think they’re heavy and expensive, too.

    Reply
  16. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 11:20 am

    Hi Dao,

    I got a three-drawer, plastic containers from JoAnn’s a few months ago. They work great! The drawers are long and deep so I can throw a ton of stuff inside. What did you end up getting?

    Reply
  17. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 11:20 am

    Hi Shefali,

    Yeah, *really* ugly and *really* scary!

    Reply
  18. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 11:20 am

    Hi Glosslizard,

    I like clear stuff too, and I do have some clear containers. I can’t always bring myself to go to the Container Store, though, cause it stresses me out, LOL.

    Hope you’re enjoying your Sunday!

    Reply
  19. Karen B says

    August 31st, 2008 at 11:54 am

    Actually it was hard to find something. All the storage things are so BIG. That’s annoying because I don’t need huge things seeing as my collection isn’t that big.

    Karen Bs last blog post..Oh my effing Iker

    Reply
  20. Eru says

    August 31st, 2008 at 12:30 pm

    Oops, I don’t know what’s with Imageshack lately, but it’s annoying! Hope now it’s visible:
    http://www.thepunkcat.es/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/imagen-2078.jpg

    More hugs! 😀

    Erus last blog post..Exceptionnel VS. Inimitable. A Chanel Epic Fight ^-^

    Reply
  21. Trisha says

    August 31st, 2008 at 2:15 pm

    This could not have come at a better time. I am in DIRE need of some makeup storage. Now I just have to find a craft store in this super small town I live in…

    Trishas last blog post..Lipstick Week- Starting Sunday!

    Reply
  22. Dao says

    August 31st, 2008 at 4:39 pm

    I got some beading organizers to store my bits and bobs. They work great. I’ll show you later 🙂

    Reply
  23. Elle says

    August 31st, 2008 at 8:11 pm

    OMG. Those dolls are gonna haunt my dreams. Who thought something that looks like *that* would ever be appealing?

    I have a train case but most of my makeup is stored in one of those huge 5-drawer clear plasic cart thingies from Target. It’s not the best thing IMO–terrific for space, but I like things a bit more compartmentalized–but it works pretty well so far. I also have a bunch of boxes that came my way via redonkulously-sized gift basket-type gifts at work around the holidays. Most of them are pretty roomy and as a bonus (well IMO at least) they usually come different sizes and can be stacked, so you can tell which box is for which category.

    Hope you have a great Labor Day, Karen!

    Reply
  24. Marisol says

    August 31st, 2008 at 8:28 pm

    omg…those dolls are cra-cra-crazy!

    Marisols last blog post..America, this is one of those moments.

    Reply
  25. Lee says

    August 31st, 2008 at 9:14 pm

    oooh, i like the idea! I’ll have to try it out.

    Reply
  26. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    Hi Karen B.,

    Ahh, I see. I’m glad you found something! Sometimes I feel like Ikea has so many options that the decision process becomes so overwhelming.

    Woot, soon enough hopefully your makeup collection will warrant some serious storage. 😉

    Reply
  27. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    Hi Eru,

    Oh that’s so pretty! I really like the shape of the mirror and the vanity; the stain of the wood is also very rich and pretty. Thanks for taking a pic and sharing! I hope that one day I find a treasure like that at the art store instead of those scary dolls.

    Reply
  28. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    Hi Trisha,

    If you can’t find any at your local art store I bet you can find some good stuff online! 🙂

    Reply
  29. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    Hi Dao,

    Oh fun! I bet your stuff looks nice and neat and organized. 🙂

    Reply
  30. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    Hi Elle,

    I thought about getting one of those, but I found myself wanting more compartments, too. One thing you can do is get drawer separators from Container store. They are usually used to store socks and whatnot but they are handy for makeup storage.

    My day was fun! The parade went well and the kids on our float seemed to really enjoy it. Hope you have a good Labor Day, too.

    Reply
  31. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    Hi Marisol,

    Ha, I know! They will totally haunt me at night when I wake up during the witching hour.

    Reply
  32. Karen says

    August 31st, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    Hi Lee,

    Great! Gotta love cheap storage solutions. 🙂

    Reply
  33. Roxy says

    August 31st, 2008 at 10:49 pm

    I love craft stores! We dont’ have ben franklins here we just have michaels and joannes i never noticed those though because i always skip the wood section LOL but thanks for the heads up!

    Roxys last blog post..Greensleeves FOTD

    Reply
  34. Karen B says

    September 1st, 2008 at 3:49 am

    Yeah, hoepfully. But for that to happen I’ll have to make some money first… Let’s hope my doctor’s appointment this afternoon has a good ending money-wise (in me being able to walk with normal shoes and thus able to work)

    Karen Bs last blog post..Oh my effing Iker

    Reply
  35. Kandice says

    September 1st, 2008 at 8:32 am

    Wow, that doll was Rob Schnider! LOL!

    Thanks for the tip about the boxes for make up. I’m always at craft stores and never made the connection!

    I’m glad that I found your blog!

    Reply
  36. kia says

    September 1st, 2008 at 12:02 pm

    the art store dolls and rob schniedger .. hilar!! long eyelashes and kat whiskers!! wow

    kias last blog post..Yummy411: Green Tea Dosage II: Choices

    Reply
  37. Bridget says

    September 2nd, 2008 at 7:42 pm

    Ohhhh what a good idea! I love those boxes, and that you can decorate however you want! I sense a shopping trip tomorrow. 🙂

    Bridgets last blog post..My Life On Hold

    Reply
  38. Jennifer says

    March 25th, 2010 at 11:26 am

    What a fabulous idea! I’m going this weekend to check the craft store out. As for where I’m most comfortable doing my makeup? I do my prep, foundation, blush, etc. at my vanity in my bedroom, eyes (minus mascara) and lips in my main bathroom, and mascara at my computer desk, while checking my email. Multi-tasking anyone? I think I need to revamp my morning routine a bit. 😉

    Reply
  39. Meg says

    March 25th, 2010 at 1:13 pm

    Those boxes look perfect! Plus, I’ve been itching to do something crafty and painting those sounds like just the ticket! Thanks for sharing these ideas. I must say that I also really enjoy doing my makeup on the floor with a huge mirror propped up. When I was in high school I had a friend whose bed had a mirrored headboard and she used to do her makeup there in the mornings. I was envious and thought it was so cool!
    .-= Meg’s last blog post… Give Me Navy or Give Me Death =-.

    Reply
  40. Patty says

    March 25th, 2010 at 1:17 pm

    They’re not particularly pretty, but I use fishing tackle and tool boxes for my makeup. Has all kinds of compartments for stuff and it’s great for all those things you don’t use all the time. .I have a smaller toolbox for the more regularly used cosmetics. They have handles and all you have to do is pick it up and take it to wherever you decide to put on makeup.

    Reply

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Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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