These Organization Tips Will Bring Clear Space and Clear Mind

Words by Christina Wall Streit

Photography by Marissa de la Torre

There’s no time like the present for a (belated) spring cleaning. Gather up your unused trinket trays, mismatched bowls, and bud vases to display your products in thoughtful, meaningful ways that provide order and aesthetic bliss. Not ready for a big closet purge? Simply moving unexpected items around and organizing by color and material can give your closet an updated, boutique feel.

-Get moving. We all have those mixed-use items that have been used for a variety of needs. For instance, I have had this bust for 12 years. It has been a sculpture in my living room, an outdoor table decoration, and now it is in my closet as a hat stand.

-Think again. Save lids from your beauty products to organize your small items like bobby pins, tweezers, safety pins, and Q-tips. You don’t always need to buy more things—just rethink what you already have.

Project!

Give basic acrylic storage drawers a personalized touch.

Supplies:

Clear acrylic vanity organizer (available at The Container Store, HomeGoods, or Amazon)

Wallpaper scraps, peel-and-stick wallpaper, or cardstock

Scissors

Measuring tape and ruler

Double-sided tape

1. Measure the inside of your drawers.
2. Trim the wallpaper to fit.
3. Apply double-sided tape from corner to corner.
4. Gently place wallpaper in the drawer then flatten any bubbles by lifting edges with a ruler.
5. Admire your work.

Bonus: Change paper anytime to give your space a fresh update.

We’ve All Become Germophobes

It’s more important than ever to frequently clean out your vanity. Make sure you wipe down your beauty products with disinfectant wipes and dry them completely. (You’d be surprised how dirty they actually get.)

Expirations dates are not just for the fridge. Here are a few quick reminders:

MAKEUP

Concealer: 1 year

Cream blush: 1 year

Eyeliner: 3 months

Eyeliner pencil: 2 years

Eye shadow: 1 year

Foundation: 1 year

Lip balm: 1–5 years

Lip gloss: 1 year

Lipstick: 2 years

Liquid eyeliner: 3 months

Mascara: 3 months

Nail polish: 1 year

Powder blush: 2 years

BODY CARE

Bar soap: 18 months–3 years

Bath oil: 1 year

Body lotion: 2 years

Body wash: 3 years

Deodorant: 1–2 years

Disposable razors: every five to seven shaves

Eye cream: 1 year

Face cream: 2 years

Hair spray: 2–3 years

Loofah: 6 months

Makeup sponge: 1 month

Perfume: 1–2 years

Shampoo and conditioner: 2–3 years

Sunscreen: 3 years

Toothbrush: 3 months