How to Put Together a Makeup Kit

Makeup can often become a cluttered and disorganized mess. If you find yourself spending more time digging than you do applying makeup, you should keep reading for great tips to organize a makeup kit for your daily use as well as one for those special events.

Steps

1. 
   1
   Take time to find a large area where you can spread the materials that you are going to use. This isn't a project to rush through.
2. 
   2
   Take out all of your makeup and skincare products and go through them.These are some of the most common items in a make up kit:

   • Foundation evens skin tone and gives a smooth palette to begin applying other products.
   • Concealer is applied to hide blemishes, sores, bags, and other marks on the face.
   • Blush adds dimension to your face and can add a youthful or sun-kissed look.
   • Eye-shadow is available for almost any skin tone.
     
     
     • Neutral and complimentary colors that can be used everyday should be put in your everyday pile.
     • More exotic and dramatic colors can be added to your special occasion collection.
   • Eyeliner is used on the edges of your eyelids closest to your eyes and just below the eyes.
   • Powders can set your foundation and prevent it from wearing off as fast.
   • Look for a good shade of lipstick and/or lipgloss to include in your kit. Find something that coordinates with the other products you plan to use daily. See tips for colors choices.
   • Consider a bronzer to add additional color to your face. This is great during the summer time to give the appearance of a tan without the sun damage. This may be a daily, seasonal or special occasion item depending on the frequency you use it.
3. 3
   Evaluate what you wear daily and what you don't. Consider what you have time to apply and what is only used for special events. Be prepared to have 5-6 piles before you're done. Gather your items into piles including:

   • Daily wear
     
     • These are your basic colors that match almost anything you wear with the coordinating lipstick. Keep it simple unless you want to carry a suitcase around every day.
   • Skin care
     
     • This includes your moisturizers, makeup removers, serums, sunscreens, acne treatments, etc. You can also include cotton balls, q-tips, etc.
     • Removal of makeup may be necessary if you travel, play sports or just don't like having make up on all day. To save space, buy a package of pre-moistened face cleansing cloths.
   • Special occasion
     
     • This includes more dramatic colors, infrequently worn colors, products you purchased to match special outfits, wild colors used for Halloween, shimmer powder you wear out to clubs, false eyelashes or anything else you rarely wear.
   • Seasonal (optional)
     
     • Tanning can cause your skin tone to vary from season to season. People who tan often have different foundation and powder shades they use in the summer. If you tan during the summer you may need to make an additional pile for your darker summer colors (or tan free winter colors).
4. 
   4
   Dispose of anything that is old, broken or causes irritation. If it's old, you should get rid of it. Old makeup collects bacteria, separates and may flake off or not apply as well. Here are some general guidelines for how long you should keep an item before disposing of it:

   • Three Months
     • Mascara
     • Liquid Eye Liners
   • Six months
     • Eye foundations
     • Eye creams
     • Eye bases
     • Cream eye shadows
     • Any other cream or gel based item for eyes
     • Face Powders which have had brushes or sponges in contact with the product.
     • Foundations that are cream or pancake
   • One Year
     • Liquid foundations
     • Moisturizers
     • Concealer used on face providing it is in a tube and does not have an applicator.
   • As needed
     • Powder and cake blush
     • Powder and cake eye shadows
     • Eye liners (pencil) providing it doesn't harden, become difficult to apply or becomes dry.
     • Bronzer
5. 
   5
   Pack nail polish and remover in your daily kit if you do daily or frequent touch ups. Otherwise, put it in a nail kit and store elsewhere.
6. 
   6
   Look at your make up application tools. Are they sufficient? Dirty? Floating around in the bottom of a drawer or bag? These become dirty and bacteria filled quickly. Toss out any used sponge applicators that came with the makeup and invest in good washable brushes. Dispose of any dirty foundation sponges and powder puffs. By using clean brushes you can extend the life of your makeup by eliminating the amount of bacteria and oils you are introducing into it. Brush kits and brush bags are usually sold at mall makeup counters and makeup stores. The brush bags will keep your brushes organized, protect the brush ends from bending and keep your application tools clean. Here are the most popular applications tools:

   • Foundation brush or a wedge sponges
   • Powder brush
   • Blush brush
   • Large shadow brush
   • Small or angled shadow brush
   • Lip brush
   • Concealer brush
7. 
   7
   Clean application tools as needed.Clean eye liner by rubbing an alcohol soaked cotton ball over the pencil and sharpening the tip completely. Clean brushes in antibacterial soap and rinse until they are clean. If your brushes look tangled, deformed or if they are so full of makeup you don't have to actually add make up each time, you need to dispose of those and start fresh.
8. 
   8
   Examine your piles and try to gauge what size bag you will need. If you don't have something big enough or with the necessary pockets you should start shopping. It's always better to go with something slightly larger than something too small.
9. 
   9
   Go shopping at a local drug, beauty supply, department or discount store and browse for makeup bags or kits. Make sure it can hold everything you plan on putting into it including your brush bag.

   • Train cases are usually hard side and have extending shelves for organization. These can be heavy and bulky but protect well.
   • Bags vary in size and construction. Look for something made for makeup as it will probably have an interior that will wipe clean, zip closed to avoid spilling and have padded or quilted exterior to offer extra protection.
   • Small tackle boxes are usually larger than the train cases, less expensive and great for organizing a lot of makeup. This is an excellent product for special occasion makeup as you can easily see what you have available. Since you don't wear it all the time it's easy to forget what you have.
   • If you don't carry your make up with you and only apply it at home you can use a basket or drawer to store your daily makeup.
10. 
    10
    Use the plastic storage with shelves under your sink or in the closet to store all but your daily makeup.Keep the daily kit easily accessible.
11. 
    11
    Organize your makeup into the appropriately sized bags or kits.
12. 
    12
    Store what you don't use daily in its own bag or kit based on the categories above.
13. 
    13
    Put your brushes in their own bag or kit to keep them clean and protected and put this in your daily bag or kit.
14. 
    14
    Pat yourself on the back! Your makeup is organized and you should be on your way to a less stressful and efficient make up routine.