Try as I might, I can’t avoid the siren call of The Container Store. Sure, it irks me that a store can survive on the premise of selling you new crap to store all your present crap, but desperate times call for desperate measures!
I reached critical mass last weekend. My lipstick disorganization finally crossed the line. For the past few months, tubes just kept disappearing and reappearing in the strangest places (How does a tube of lipstick find its way into a kitchen soap dish?).
Luckily, my sanity was only $1.79 away. The Container Store sells these clear accessory boxes designed for belts and jewelry, but they’re also the perfect height to store tubes of lipstick.
I fit all of my MAC lipsticks into a single box (about 60 tubes, youza!) with the labels up, so I can identify each tube at a glance. The $1.79 boxes come with a cover, and Container Store was smart to make the boxes stackable, too.
Hands down, this was the best $1.79 I’ve spent in a long time. I never thought I’d say this, but, Container Store … today I kind of don’t hate you. 🙂
Well, I closed my eyes this morning and hoped that when I opened them, it wouldn’t really be Monday morning, but — big surprise — it didn’t work.
I hope you have a great day. We’ll make it if we stick together!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Karen B says
May 19th, 2008 at 9:39 amThat is one spiffy containter for 1.79!! 🙂
I don’t have that many lipsticks though… lol
Karen Bs last blog post..Icon meme
TUPRNUT says
May 19th, 2008 at 10:02 amGreat storage idea. My lipstick collection is getting a bit out of control and right now I have them in several different makeup bags all around the house.
Jess says
May 19th, 2008 at 10:56 am$1.79 is hellu cheap. Also what I have done to store my makeup is get some pretty postcard boxes from the steno store. They’re a perfect size and every one has a different pattern.
Shiny says
May 19th, 2008 at 11:06 amBooo I forgot you Americans don’t get today off… hopefully the day will go by fast though.
beautytalk says
May 19th, 2008 at 11:38 amOh, I am sl jealous! I still don’t have that many lipsticks, so my train case fits everything for now. My hubby and I might be moving in together soon (!) and I’ll finally have a walk-in closet so this is a great storage idea.
beautytalks last blog post..Clubbing FOTD
Vanessa says
May 19th, 2008 at 12:32 pmHey Karen! Haha after I’ve seen your collection, I don’t feel as bad about mine that’s still growing! LOL.
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 12:46 pmHi Karen B.,
That’s okay… it just gives you an excuse to fill up the box!
I can help you get there, LOL!
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 12:46 pmHi Tuprnut,
Hey lady! Yes, it’s a very easy way to corral all those tubes together into one place. I sorta lost it this weekend after finding a tube of Laura Mercier Brown Sugar Stick Gloss in the closet. I’ve been looking for it for A YEAR!
How are things with you? Long time no chat! 🙂
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 12:46 pmHi Jess,
Yah, homie! You know I like cheap storage! That’s a great idea regarding the postcard boxes. I like the idea of different patterns and pictures… knowing me, though, I’d end up labeling them all with post its.
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 12:47 pmHi Shiny,
Sigh, we get next Monday off (hooray). I’m glad the day is almost half way over. What are you doing today? Just chillin’?
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 12:47 pmHi BeautyTalk,
Congrats on your soon-to-be move. How exciting. Will this be your first time living together? Guuuurl… I have to tell you. The first few months El Hub and l lived together were very challenging! You really get to know somebody when you are around ’em 24/7, that’s for sure!
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 12:47 pmHi Vanessa,
Hey sweetie! Yeah, when I got all those tubes in the box I took a step back and was like, “Whoa!!” I have no idea how all of that happened, LOL. Happy Monday!
Jess says
May 19th, 2008 at 2:42 pmHehe….. Another thing I do is buy small plastic bottles from REI and load them with my liquid and powder makeup. I just write what they are on the bottles with a sharpie. It saves space over the big bottles and tubes some products come with.
Shiny says
May 19th, 2008 at 3:11 pmFinishing up a paper on climate change and development, but I don’t feel too bad about being inside since it is very cold where I am!
Tine says
May 19th, 2008 at 3:41 pmThat’s a brilliant idea! I’m going to check out my local $2 store to see if I can find something like this 😉
TUPRNUT says
May 19th, 2008 at 4:04 pmI know, it’s been quite a while, huh? Things around here have been a little hectic, which has kept me away from my computer. But, I think things will be getting back into the normal groove in the next few days. I miss my routine!
Anna says
May 19th, 2008 at 4:50 pmHey Karen !
Wowzers…..$1.79 is a crazy bargain….an excuse to buy a few more to fill up !
I’m quietly excited about the 20% MAC next week in London’s Carnaby street store…..so hopefully I’ll be a few steps closer to filling up my lippie box !!
Mariah says
May 19th, 2008 at 5:20 pmWhat irks me about The Container Store is that they charge WAYYYY too much for their dumb containers to keep our junk. (Except of course in this awesome incidence.)
I mean, IKEA, Target, hell, even Rite Aid has better prices on tupperware than them. Siiiiiiigh.
Mariahs last blog post..Finally got a book I ordered.
Marisol says
May 19th, 2008 at 7:26 pmDang… the only way I would ever pay $1.79 at the Container Store is the tax. hahaha
Great find!
Marisols last blog post..Yes I am a Lush.
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 7:55 pmHi Jess,
That’s a good idea, especially ’cause some of those bottles and tubes can take up so much space. I cleaned out a few drawers in the bathroom the other day, and now that I think about it, if I put everything in small tubes I could fit a lot more stuff in there. I am all about maximizing space. 🙂
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 7:56 pmHi Shiny,
It was a lil’ cooler today too round my hood. Are you still in the snow?
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 7:56 pmHi Tine,
Yah! When you corral all of those lipsticks in one place you’ll feel so good. I get a kick out of putting the top on the box and seeing them all in one place. LOL, so
maybe I’m easily amused.
Good luck at the $2 store… I love those stores!
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 7:56 pmHi Tuprnut,
Ahh, I figured. Things have been busy on this end as well. I miss my routine, too, and can’t wait to get back to it after next Monday.
How is your lil’ one? Have you and Grace gone makeup shopping lately?
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 7:56 pmHi Anna,
I know! That was my same exact thinking, LOL! In my dreams I’d fill up each tub solely with one brand of lipstick… le sigh.
20% sale = dangerous! Don’t go in there with a credit card, girl! 😉
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 7:56 pmHi Mariah,
I KNOW! That’s why “in theory” I am opposed to them. Unfortunately I always end up getting sucked back in (sigh), mostly because it’s only five minutes away.
If I had a Target closer to me (the nearest one is a twenty five minute drive) then I’d be over there in a hot second.
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 7:57 pmHi Marisol,
So true… the stuff in there seems to be pricy! This lil’ box is quite handy, I have to admit. I may have to just suck it up and buy some more. Urgh!
Shefali says
May 19th, 2008 at 9:13 pmOMG my lipstick storage is out of control too!!! I’m going to invest in this contained. I totally need it. BTW, Container Store has lipstick storage containers too, and the MAC lipsticks and most other lipsticks fit perfectly in the slot. Problem is, you can only store 12 lipsticks in each. Considering I have 3 full ones and could fill two more…it’s time to change things up.
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 9:20 pmHi Shefali!
I saw those. I had an issue with the 12 lipstick limit, too.
Who knew getting your lipstick stash was cheaper than a cup of coffee? 🙂 Happy organizing!
ParisB says
May 19th, 2008 at 9:47 pmThat is awesome! I am using some containers from Ikea for storing various makeup products (mostly eyeshadows and palettes) – works great too!
ParisBs last blog post..Review: Makeup: Revlon Renewist Lip Color Lipstick
Karen says
May 19th, 2008 at 9:55 pmHi ParisB,
I love Ikea for organizers and stuff. The closest one to me is a bridge away so I don’t get to it very often. Do you ever go in there for one thing and end up leaving five hours later? I swear that happens to me whenever I actually make it into that store. 🙂
Karen B says
May 20th, 2008 at 10:08 amHehe, I’m sure you’d be wonderful help 😉
I think I’m going to make a deal with a friend of mine who lives in Antwerp: every two or three weeks she’ll either bring a paint pot or a lipstick with her from MAC… Good deal huh?
Karen Bs last blog post..Icon meme
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 12:40 pmHey Karen B.,
LOL, that’s a great deal! That gives you something to look forward to, for sure. And if you break it up like that you’re less likely to get sticker shock from buying all of the products at once. 🙂
Jamie says
May 20th, 2008 at 12:50 pmI love it! I have been looking for a way to organize my huge amount of makeup and this just might be it! 🙂
Jamies last blog post..Totally Beautiful Time at the Total Beauty Summit!
Sylvie says
May 20th, 2008 at 1:30 pmOh dear god, 60 tubes! I have 3 lipsticks and 2 lipglasses and I’ve already placed a ban on myself from buying another lipstick/lipglass until one of them is used up. How do you even make sure that you accord enough attention to each one of them? I mean personally I do feel bad if I don’t use one of mine enough!
Sylvie says
May 20th, 2008 at 1:33 pmBut I do have to concede that if you didn’t have 60 tubes, we wouldn’t really see interesting and varied Faces of the day and have all these detailed reviews.
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 3:25 pmHi Jamie,
Yeah for organization! I’m sure you can put other stuff in ’em too, like nail polish, eyeshadows, etc.
TUPRNUT says
May 20th, 2008 at 5:29 pmGrace is doing great! I swear, she gets cuter and and more funny every day. I got her out of bed this morning and her first question to me is “Where’s cookie?”… like I carry one around in my pocket or something.
Yes, Mommy and Grace went makeup shopping today and she helped pick out Mommy’s very first Chanel. I got an eyeshadow quad and cannot wait to try it out tomorrow morning. I’ve had birthday money from a few months back sitting there, so I decided to get something I wouldn’t normally buy.
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 6:13 pmHi Tuprnut,
Awww, that’s so cute! 🙂
GIRL! Which quad did you get? Details, I need details!
TUPRNUT says
May 20th, 2008 at 6:45 pmI got Spices. Neutral, yes, but beautiful! I was going to wait until tomorrow to try it out, but I couldn’t wait. I just did my eyes and I love it. I think I’m going to be in trouble…. I feel a slow addiction coming on! I’m going to Macy’s tomorrow and feel another purchase in my near future 🙂
Karen says
May 20th, 2008 at 6:50 pmOMG! Welcome to my world!!!
I don’t have Spices (yet!). A few months ago, when I went to the Chanel counter to get a makeover, I asked one of the makeup artists what her favorite quad was and that was her pick!
Ohhh… wait till you try the colors with a wet brush! 🙂
ferarri says
January 6th, 2009 at 12:09 amDo you ladies actually finishes one lipstick? I have so many and most of them are half of quarter gone. Only my crystal pink lipstick shows any sign of reaching the base.
Michele says
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:32 amDoes anyone know where they sell Arissa Cosmetics? besides online>