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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
As if cluttered makeup bags weren't already hard enough to deal with, worse yet is when the contents of those bags become haphazardly strewn about our vanity tables. So here's a word of advice: Take inventory of the makeup you do have (to avoid unnecessary purchases in the future) and get rid of anything you likely won't touch again. Once your stash is pared down, it's time to organize it.
Makeup organizers come in all different sizes and looks. There are those that operate as mini vanities (LED mirror included), and others designed with drawers of varying sizes to accommodate anything from eyeshadow palettes to vibrant lipsticks. Some are acrylic, some rotate, and others can be easily packed up and taken with you on the go.
Below, the best organizers to tidy-up your makeup.
Best Overall: Sorbus 7-Drawer Makeup Storage Case
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Courtesy of QVC
Two different drawer options
Minimalist appeal
Clear to easily see makeup supplies
Could be more durable
Who else recommends it? This product was also selected by Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Allure, PureWow, and Apartment Therapy.
What do buyers say? 86% of 25,400+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 5 stars.
While it’s transparent enough to know exactly where you relegated each of your products, the stack comes in a range of colors—even marble, for you minimalists. It has three wide drawers for palettes and four at half the size for smaller items. That’s not to mention, of course, the brush holder, lipstick compartment. This is the organizer for the makeup obsessive who wants everything to have its own home.
Material: Clear Acrylic Plastic | Color: Pink | Size: 9.25 x 6.25 x 14.25 in.
Best for Brushes: byAlegory Makeup Beauty Brush Organizer and Drying Stand
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Courtesy of Amazon
Designed with three hole sizes
Holds 12 brushes
Attractive rounded edges
Difficult to get brushes in and out
Speaking of brushes holders, this is the Rolls Royce. Instead of squeezing together handles and hoping the bristles dry at the other end, this stand separates each brush so they never have to touch. To use, just extract a brush and thread it back into its individual hole after you’ve finished. Did we mention its crystal-reminiscent design is insanely cute?
Material: Clear Acrylic Plastic | Color: Pink, White | Size: 5.12 x 5.12 x 13.03 in.
Best Bag: KUSSHI Signature Makeup Bag
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Courtesy of KUSSHI
Multiple zippers for easy access
Many different size options
Machine washable
Comes in vegan leather
Pricey
There’s a reason influencers everywhere, and Byrdie’s very own Hallie Gould, can’t get enough of this makeup bag. The structured soft-case keeps makeup intact on the most turbulent of trips, but malleable enough to squeeze into tight spaces. Its dual-sided zip reaches down to the base of the bag so there’s no need to rummage around for that elusive eyeliner sharpener—it also always comes in discreet charcoal or black, with a brightly-colored liner of your choice for optimal visibility. If you really want luxury, opt for the leather version, which features two secret pockets.
Material: Nylon, Mesh | Closure: Zip | Size: Various
Best Budget: Sonia Kashuk Countertop Makeup Tray Organizer
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Courtesy of Target
Stylish, contemporary gold rim
Can easily access makeup products
Long-lasting
Compartment proportions could be larger
This is an old classic and personal favorite. Its gold-rimmed clear countertop gives you pretty much everything you need, including a range of compartment-sizes. The one downside is that large palettes will have to find their own home, but for smaller products, this can’t be beaten.
Material: Acrylic Plastic | Color: Clear | Size: 8.125 x 6.125 x 4.5 in.
Best Splurge: Mark & Graham Terminal 1 Cosmetic Case
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Courtesy of Mark & Graham
Comes in eight colors
Very roomy
Chic vintage look
Pricey
Looking for luxury? We’ve got you covered. The cosmetic case is objectively beautiful—available in eight colors with contrasting leather straps, and striped lining. You can also customize it with your initials if you’re really feeling fancy. It’s also not just a pretty face, but practical too: Its hard exterior protects your products, and individual pockets store brushes and favorite lipsticks so you never have to dig.
Material: Polycarbonate, Leather, Polyester | Closure: Zip-Around | Size: 11.5 x 8.0 x 8.5 in.
Best Acrylic: Ikee Design Cosmetics Makeup and Jewelry Storage Case Display
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Courtesy of Amazon
Offers plenty of space
Appealing color
Many compartments
Drawers are a bit squeaky
This one's for you in-betweeners. If you don’t want the commitment of a heavy-duty organizer, but still want to optimize your organization, this is by far the best acrylic option. With two full-size display drawers, two half-size as well as top compartments, you can finally consolidate all your products in one place. For those who do need a little more storage, this does also come in a bigger size. Oh, and you can order it in a slightly less-sheer diamond pattern.
Material: Acrylic Plastic | Color: Brown | Size: 9.25 x 5.375 x 11.625 in.
Best Design: Sephora Collection Makeup Organizer
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Courtesy of Sephora
16-cube organizer topper
Each drawer contains a black lining
A dependable crowd favorite
Doesn't store a large supply of products
Sephora's makeup organizers are always beloved, but this one is a particular crowd favorite. Arriving in a sheer pink, each draw has a black lining so any spills don’t require a full cleanout. Bear in mind this organizer isn’t huge—if you’re looking to house a large number of products you may need some supplementary storage facilities—but it is built in a similar style to the Everything Stack.
Material: Acrylic Plastic | Color: Sheer Pink | Size: Unknown
Best Rotating: Jerrybox 360-Degree Rotating Makeup Organizer
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Courtesy of Amazon
Seven compartments with large capacity
360-degree rotation
Adjustable
Accommodates at least 30 makeup brushes
Shipments may sometimes be missing parts
Finally, a smorgasbord for makeup. A cylindrical shelving system that spins for your convenience? Yes, please. The Jerrybox Organizer has seven levels of trays that you can adjust to the most applicable height, and it’s small enough so as to not consume your countertop. It also rotates completely silently and is easy to wash. Cut your get-ready time in two with this dream.
Material: Plastic | Color: Black | Size: 11.81 x 9.49 x 2.01 in.
Best Classic: Caboodles On the Go Girl Makeup Bag
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Courtesy of Ulta
Auto-open tray
Secure latch
Flip-lid mirror
Easy to clean
A bit bulky
Ah the Caboodle, hello, old friend. The Caboodle has been in rotation as a portable makeup organizer by those in the know for a long time. If you’re en route to a location with dubious mirror space, this is the organizer to bring. Folding out two tray levels and a full mirror stand, get ready everywhere and anywhere, then pop it in your overnight bag and keep it moving—the hard shell will ensure your makeup stays safe.
Material: Plastic | Closure: Latch | Size: 13.0 x 6.0 x 8.0 in.
Best for Travel: Relavel Black Small Makeup Case
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Courtesy of Amazon
Adjustable compartments
Comes in two colors
Waterproof, shockproof, and anti-wear interiors
Might be too tiny for some
As a perpetually in-transit makeup fiend, this one is a personal favorite. The case is structured by movable sections (you can take them out altogether to make it softer and flatter if you need space in a suitcase), which keeps your makeup from being crushed. A side pocket on the flap fits palettes, while brushes fit snugly into the compartments. In short, there’s truly no product this doesn’t accommodate— and it’s pretty enough to sit on your vanity if you’re so inclined.
Material: Plastic | Closure: Zip | Size: 10.16 x 9.53 x 4.06 in.
Best Innovation: Fancii Gala Vanity Mirror
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Courtesy of Fancii
Horizontal and vertical orientation
True-to-life color-correct details
Built-in 10x magnification
Can be powered by battery or USB
Pull out mirror could be bigger
You don’t wear a lot of makeup on the day-to-day, but you do want your products neatly accessible: meet the Modern Makeup Mirror. The LED mirror has a small pull out magnification mirror to get up-close-and-personal, and its base doubles as a makeup organizer for the essentials. Save yourself rooting around in a larger unit, and keep the basics on hand to swipe on in a flash.
Shape: Square | Type: Freestanding | Size: 4.5 x 7.3 x 14.6 in.
Best Eco-Friendly: Sorbus 360° Bamboo Cosmetic Organizer
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Courtesy of Amazon
Has eight sections
Double-sided
Conveniently rotates
Engineering quality could use more attention
Save the planet and shelve your makeup practically with this organizer created from bamboo. This stand may not rival its acrylic competitors when it comes to a ton of specialized compartments, but it does do a great job of keeping you covered with all the necessities. There are holes for brushes, and shelves of various heights to suit a range of different products. Did we mention it’s double-sided?
Material: Bamboo Wood | Color: Natural/Brown | Size: 10.0 x 7.1 x 11.7 in.
What to Look For in a Makeup Organizer
Style
Makeup organizers come in many different styles, from see-through drawers to cosmetic bags that keep products together for traveling. There are also organizers designed for holding specific products like eyeliner, brushes, and palettes. There are so many ways to customize your makeup display with organizers—it all comes down to your personal preferences.
Storage
Storage capacity is a big factor in whether a makeup organizer is the one for you. Some organizers have many sections designed for storing brushes or lip products while others don’t. Choosing the amount of storage you need is dependent on how many products you have.
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