Photo: instagram
Clear off your valuable counter space with these easy (and cheap) ideas.
By Elizabeth Blasi — Written on Oct 05, 2018
With our makeup bags filled to the brim, it's silly to constantly be adding extra bags that take up space on our bathroom sink and vanity counters. Now, with the help of DIY experts, we can organize our makeup (and brushes) in a way that not only keeps us neat and tidy, but adds a little flare and edge to our decor.
Read on as we go over 25 options for the best makeup organizer that you can make all by yourself.
1. DIY Lip and Brush Set Holder Made From Cardboard
Taking the word re-purposing and recycling to a whole new level. And to think, this all comes from material we use everyday (or every month.).
What you'll need:
- Toilet paper rolls
- Small cardboard boxes (image shown is using female sanitary product boxes)
- Spray paint of choice
- Glue (can be gorilla glue or hot glue gun)
Steps:
- Organize the boxes and rolls to liking (look on counter space to see what design may fit best)
- Before finalizing with glue, spray paint the cardboard your color(s) of choice
- Once dry, set the cardboard together in specific geometric design
- Let dry and fill with your favorite products!
2. DIY Makeup Organizer Shoebox
No longer do you have to feel guilty for tossing an empty shoebox into the trash (clutter is clutter, after all). This DIY can turn an ordinary throw-away item into a super useful and helpful tool.
What you'll need:
- Shoebox
- Glue
- Market
- Ruler
- Paint and Decorations (optional)
3. FIXY Makeup and Repair Kit
There are a few things worse than broken shadows and blushes, especially when you weren't finished using them yet. While not a traditional DIY makeup organizer, this kit by FIXY will allow you to organize (and avoid throwing away) your broken makeup by DIY-ing the cracked formula together in their nifty makeup repair kit.
(FIXY, $44)
Instructions for DIY makeup organizers #4-6:
4. DIY Cutlery Tray Organizer
Traditionally used as a place to store your forks, knives, and spoons, the cutlery tray has upgraded to your staple must-have vanity piece. Better than being decorative and super practical, this piece is incredibly easy (and cheap) to make!
What you'll need:
- Cutlery tray (from the dollar store or thrift shop)
- Spray paint (optional)
- Additional decorations (optional)
5. DIY Mason Jar Storage Bins
When thinking about cotton balls and q-tips, the word cute is not one of the first words that cross your mind. With the adorable DIY mason jar bins, we're able to store our boring and unattractive items in a polished and cute way. And what's better? It doesn't cost more than $2 per bin (jar).
What you'll need:
- Mason Jar (quantity: however many you may need)
- Stencil or sticker lettering
- Spray paint
6. DIY Re-purposed Bowls
May be on of the simplest yet stylish DIYs on the list. It's the true story of taking something ordinary and turning it chic.
What you'll need:
- Pre-picked bowls (can be purchased from the dollar store or thrift shop)
- Spray paint (color/multi-color based on preference)
7. Towel Rack Revamp
We all have those out of place, and even sometimes useless towel racks or holders located somewhere in our bathroom. Instead of having that wasted space filled with a bare (and often ugly) bar, try updating and revamping it to fit your favorite (and need-to-get-to) beauty items.
What you'll need:
- 3-4 pencil cups (can be found at the dollar store or Walmart)
- Shower hooks (quantity matches the number of pencil cups)
- Pliers or scissors
8. DIY Makeup Brush Holder
If you're one of those people that needs to dig for minutes at a time to fish out the proper makeup brush, this DIY is definitely for you. Not only will it keep your beauty routine down by minutes, but (pending the stuffing you use) will add a cohesive and de-cluttered element to your vanity or bathroom space.
What you'll need:
- Glass cup or vase (an old candle jar can work as well)
- Beads (a variation of items can be used here: beads, coffee beans, marbles, etc)
- Sharpie or glass marker
Steps:
- Clean and clear out glass bowl or vase
- Label (or write in) your glass with the brushes you're looking to house (i.e., eyes, face, etc)
- Let marker or sharpie dry
- Once dry, fill with beads or product of choice
- Place brushes bristle side up and arrange to your liking
9. DIY Makeup Storing Picture Frame
This DIY trick has been taking over Pinterest. Who would have thought to put magnets on our lipsticks and steel boards in our picture frames? One of the more stylish makeup DIYs out there, this project is guaranteed to receive compliments by your house guests, as well as give you a clear mind and counter.
What you'll need:
- Picture frame (the size is up to you)
- Steel frame (make sure it fits inside the picture frame)
- Wrapping paper (design picked by you)
- Loose magnets (quantity should match the amount of products you wish to hang)
- Gorilla glue or hot glue gun
- Small pencil cup or basket (optional)
10. Travel Beauty Case
While not the most authentic DIY out there, this beauty case traditionally positioned for travel is also a great accessory to those who have limited (if not any) counter space. This case acts as a DIY shelving system and can be hung up on a towel rack, coat hook or/and closeted space.
The best part? Along with saving your counter from clutter, the case can roll up and be brought with you anywhere.
(HSN, $19.95)
11. DIY Spice Rack Turned Makeup Organizer
Take that spice rack you have hidden under the sink cabinet and give it a home it so deserves, like your vanity desk or bathroom counter. And the best part, this DIY simply requires you to move it to the location you want it to sit. And that's it!
What you'll need:
- A spice rack
- Paint or decorations (optional)
Instructions for DIY makeup organizers #12-15:
12. DIY Lazy Susan Foundation Holder
There's nothing lazy about getting organized, but none-the-less, the name sticks. If you're living in an area that experiences all four seasons (which is pretty much anywhere), you probably have countless amounts of foundation to cover every skin shade your body changes to over the year.
This Lazy Susan is the perfect piece to add to your home to organize all your foundations with easy access to retrieve without making a mess.
What you'll need:
- 2 cake tins
- Marbles (enough to fill half the tin)
- Decorations (optional)
13. DIY Beauty Utility Cart
Who says bar carts are the only trendy carts to have in your home? How about one for your bedroom/bathroom that holds everything beauty related (while also de-cluttering your space)?
What you'll need:
- A rolling cart (like this one)
- Sharpie or marker
- Decorations (optional)
14. DIY Lipstick Swatch Journal
What to do when all of your lipsticks, liquid lips, lipgloss (the list goes on) all start to look the same when comparing bullets or bottles? This is where a swatch journal saves the day.
Not only does it give you a clear breakdown of the colors you have, but it helps you compare colors and even play around with which color matches your current outfit before ever applying.
What you'll need:
- A sketch journal (very important over a traditional journal so the colors don't rub or run)
- Themed or color paper (for the front of the journal)
- Small, round stickers
- Pen or colored pens/markers
15. DIY Skincare Mirror Holder
Like makeup, our skincare products (while very important for our bodies) take up a good amount of counter space and can look unaesthetic if we don't arrange them properly. This fun and easy DIY not only adds decor but because the products are reflecting off the mirror, the light bounces off the space and brightens the room.
What you'll need:
- Mirror with decorative frame (like this one)
16. DIY Vanity Mirror
Now that you've organized your makeup and counter space to rid yourself of clutter, you want something to do with all that empty space! Why not talk bring light to the makeup application? Literally.
This DIY vanity mirror will have you feeling like you're a prima ballerina or Hollywood actress. Once complete, the mirror looks impeccably glam — it's amazing to think the total cost for this project is under $100.
What you'll need:
- Vanity light strips
- L-shaped PVC
- 8 60W light bulbs
- 2 extension cords
- Mirror (length up to you)
17. Buildable Acrylic Makeup Organizer
These classic acrylic makeup organizers are most likely what you'd find on any influencer's vanity. While not technically a DIY (where you're gluing together items and outsourcing material), it is in fact customizable. By stacking and arranging your organizer to your exact liking, you'll have a perfect fit for you and your products.
We've provided below several variations of the acrylic organizers you can add to your home:
18. DIY Cake Stand Turned Makeup Organizer
Makeup and beauty products are the second best items that belong on a cake stand. What's great about using a cake stand for a beauty organizer is that not only will it add a cute decor to your counter, it will allow you to spatially organize your products by category. For example, eyes for tier one, lips for tier two, and face (with the large foundation bottles) as the last (third) tier.
Some examples of decorative cake stands to multipurpose:
19. DIY Desk Drawers Organizer
Instead of having all your beauty and makeup items sliding around you desk, try adding a little organization to your desk drawers. These come in hand when your trying to act fast and move quickly to finish getting ready. Plus. with DIY you can add variety and uniqueness, as there are many ways to organize your drawers:
What you'll need:
- Sliding glass
- Cardboard (decorated with wrapping paper)
- Wood (painted or stained to match your taste)
20. DIY Box Turned Makeup Organizer
If this list has showed us anything, it's how versatile and handy cardboard can be, and this item is no different. Organize your entire beauty collection within one, nicely decorated, cardboard box with the help of Isla's World.
What you'll need:
- Cardboard box
- Spray paint
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Stencils and other decorations (optional)
21. DIY File Storage Turned Palette Holder
Unlike the cake stand, makeup and beauty products are the best things to find in a filling shelf. Unlike being in a stuffy office space these file shelves are found in your home, filled with beautiful eye shadow palettes.
For an extra flare of DIY, try adding some designs and decorations using puff paint, acrylic markers, and themed stickers.
(Amazon)
22. DIY Makeup Shadow Box Desk
While you can get as creative and complex as you wish and make your own desk from scratch, there are other ways to implement a shadow box onto your desk. One example would be buying one (or several, pending space) smaller shadow boxes (like this one) and aligning them onto your existing desk.
You can even think outside the (shadow) box and try creating this concept on your vanity counter, night stand, or coffee table.
23. DIY Makeup Custom Makeup Shelves
If the problem is space, think about installing additional shelving to your walls to create extra surface area to house all your prized makeup and beauty products. What's nice about adding shelves to your home, is that you can use it in parallel to items like the acrylic clear cases and other listed makeup organizers.
Example shelves:
24. DIY Makeup Mixing Plate
Unless a makeup manufacturer can mimic the exact shade of our skin, we will continue to mix our foundations for the perfect match. Instead of using the back of your hand or a paper towel, it's time to "adult" and get ourselves a mixing plate.
Traditionally, mixing plates can be a little pricey and not pleasant to clean, so why not kill two birds with one stone? Try using a rounded (or fun shaped) picture frame glass for your mixing tray. Stay away from traditional square shaped glass pieces, because those edges are not fun for anyone.
We love this example, because not only can you use it for your foundation, but it can act as a traditional picture frame as well (just add a picture).
25. DIY Lipstick Magnetic Tray
Similar to the magnetic picture frame, this DIY makeup organizer is great because it prevents our products from sliding and falling everywhere. This is especially the case when it comes to lipsticks, since their packaging it always fun and flashy.
The only problem with lipsticks is that they rarely ever stay up (unless hidden within a stand). With this magnetic tray, that's a concern you'll never have to worry about.
What you'll need:
- Long narrow tray
- Steel panel (sizing to fit tray)
- Wrapping or texture paper
- Scissors
- Loose magnets
- Gorilla glue or glue gun
Elizabeth Blasi is a New Yorker. A lifestyle & travel writer, who is often seen with a suitcase in hand, jetsetting to her next location. But as a true Digital Nomad, her love of writing and romance novels means her laptop is always beside her.
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