A poorly-organized makeup collection can throw a wrench in your morning routine. When you're running late, the last thing you want is to be searching for a tube of mascara in a black hole-like makeup bag. Similarly, if you're a makeup aficionado who's always trying out new products and looks, an orderly glam station can help you keep track of new items and use up old ones before they expire.
Makeup organizers can solve a variety of storage problems, from protecting brushes from dust to sorting your favorite eyeshadow palettes and corralling your collection while traveling. Here we've rounded up the best makeup organizers, which are all priced under $40 and categorized by function.
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What to Consider When Purchasing a Makeup Organizer
Quantity: Before you pull the trigger on the acrylic makeup organizer of your dreams, it's important to sort through your collection and toss out anything that's past its expiration date or you no longer wear. Makeup organizers come in many sizes, so you should take inventory of how many products you want to put on display before making a purchase.
Material: Acrylic, or clear plastic, is the most common material that makeup organizers are made of because it allows the user to easily find the products they're looking for. When everything is laid out in front of you, you're less likely to purchase duplicates or misplace that travel-size setting spray. If you're not into the look of acrylic, however, you could opt for an organizer made of colorful silicone, sustainable bamboo, or luxurious glass and metal.
Setup: Think about where and how you'd like to set up your makeup "battle station." If you're an all-out makeup junkie, you could probably benefit from a set of drawers like the ALEX unit from IKEA with added inserts. But if you have a small to medium-sized collection, countertop organizers should fit your needs just fine. To save space, you could also purchase stackable, vertical or wall-mounted storage solutions.
Now that we've gone over the basics on what to look for in a makeup organizer, here are our top picks for 2022.
The Best Overall Makeup Organizer
Sorbus® Cosmetic Makeup and Jewelry Storage Case Display
Looking for an all-in-one organizer to store everything from perfume to brow gel? The Sorbus makeup storage case has three large drawers and four small drawers, plus a detachable, 16-slot compartment for lipgloss, lipstick, nail polish and more. The drawers have removable black mesh liners to prevent products from slipping and sliding, but you could always replace them with patterned liners for a dose of personality. The smaller drawers are best for things like cream blush or eye glitter, while the larger drawers can fit eyeshadow palettes and contour kits. We especially love that this makeup organizer comes in multiple colors (although all of them are see-through) including black, bronze, clear, pink, purple and tie-dye. It measures 9.25 inches long, 6.25 inches wide and 14.25 inches high. If you'd rather have an organizer with four large drawers and two small drawers, there's an option for that too.
The Best Makeup Organizer for Brushes and Sponges
PuTwo Makeup Organizer
Many people store their makeup brushes in pencil cups or mason jars, but doing so can expose your beloved brushes to dust or aerosol sprays. For this reason, it's wise to invest in a covered organizer that protects your brushes and sponges. The PuTwo Makeup Organizer has two main compartments, which can each hold around 15 brushes, and three drawers for makeup sponges or other small items. The decorative pearls are included and help the brushes stand upright, although they could easily be swapped out for another filler. The BPA-free plastic material the makeup organizer is made of is transparent and durable, and the overall dimensions are 8.46 inches long, 3.35 inches wide and 8.67 inches high.
The Best Turntable Makeup Organizer
Make-Up Turntable Beauty Organizer Small - Brightroom™
If skincare is the most important step in your beauty routine, consider this turntable organizer that can store your many cleansers, exfoliants, moisturizers and serums. The four compartments around the base can each hold several bottles, while the tall, rectangular compartment in the middle is well suited for makeup brushes or pencils. A compact turntable organizer like this one can help you store a lot of beauty products without sacrificing a lot of counter space. This model measures 7 inches in diameter and 5.88 inches high.
The Best Stackable Makeup Organizer
BINO 4-Drawer Stackable Makeup Organizer
When you're short on counter space, think vertical. The BINO 4-drawer makeup organizer features an "interlocking and stackable design" that encourages you to fully customize your glam station. Pair it with the company's eight other makeup drawers, which are all made of crystal clear BPA-free plastic. This particular set of drawers includes three shallow drawers that are 1-inch high and one deep drawer that's 2 ¼ inches high, complete with removable black velvet liners to keep your products in place. The drawers open and close smoothly and have curved handles that are easy to grip. Beyond makeup, this hardworking organizer could be used for storing jewelry, craft supplies or oil paints. It measures 9.3 inches long, 5.4 inches wide and 6.75 inches high.
The Best Makeup Organizer for Lip Products
Emoly Silicone Lipstick Holder
A silicone makeup organizer is a fun way to store lipstick, lipgloss, lip liner and more. This flexible, lightweight model has 24 slots in two different sizes. It's available in four trendy colors—light blue, gray, light pink and brick red—which is a welcome change from the plethora of acrylic organizers on the market. Best of all, it can be hand washed or placed in the top rack of the dishwasher if it gets dirty. The organizer doesn't take up a lot of counter space, measuring 7.48 inches long, 3.6 inches wide, and 0.98 inches high.
The Best Makeup Organizer for Palettes
iDesign™ Dakota White Palette Organizer
Palettes are among the trickiest makeup products to organize—some drawers and dividers just aren't wide enough. This open-sided organizer is made of durable resin but has a marble-inspired finish for a high-end look. There are five slots, which are wide enough for larger palettes, and the piece has some weight to it (weighing over half a pound) so it won't slide around your work surface. Its dimensions are 6 inches long, 3.5 inches wide and 2 inches high.
The Best Makeup Organizer for Foundation
mDesign 3-Tier Plastic Spice Organizer
Allow us to clue you in on a little secret: spice organizers are perfect for housing foundation, concealer, nail polish or any other liquids that you don't feel comfortable storing horizontally. This three-tier spice rack allows you to quickly read each product's label and has deep shelves that measure 2.8 inches wide. The levels also feature slip-resistant ribbing to keep makeup firmly in place. Plus, there are raised edges to prevent your expensive foundation from tumbling over and shattering. It's made of food-safe, BPA- and chlorine-free plastic and can be hand washed using mild soap and water. The spice rack is rather compact, measuring 9.2 inches long, 10.2 inches wide and 4 inches high.
The Best Makeup Organizer for Nail Polish
Zoostliss Universal Clear Nail Polish Organizer
If you have a sizeable nail polish collection, you need this see-through holder that's shaped like a briefcase. It's double-sided and holds a total of 48 bottles. There are also narrow compartments for things like nail files, cuticle pushers and foam toe separators. The spaces are suitable for most nail polish brands, each measuring 1.5 inches deep, 1.6 inches wide and 3.8 inches long. Thanks to the clear design, it's easy to locate the exact bottle you're searching for before you even open it up. The organizer can be stored horizontally or vertically, allowing you to place it inside a desk, under the bed or in the closet. Including the handle, it measures 13.5 inches long, 3.4 inches wide and 13 inches high.
The Best Makeup Organizer for Travel
ROWNYEON Makeup Case Travel Makeup Bag
This useful travel makeup organizer slips onto the telescopic handle of your suitcase. It comes in multiple sizes, colors and styles, but the medium is suitable for most makeup lovers (although probably not professional makeup artists). It zips open, revealing two sides of product storage. The base has adjustable dividers and deeper compartments to keep makeup secure, while the top has a zippered pocket and six elastic pouches for makeup brushes that can be covered with a velcro-secured panel. The interior lining is a waterproof, PVC material, while the outside is covered in high-grade Oxford cloth that's also resistant to water and wear. The medium size measures 14.1 inches long, 3.5 inches wide and 10.1 inches high and weighs 2.6 pounds when empty.
The Best Drawer Organizer for Makeup
iDesign Clarity Expandable Divided Drawer and Shelf Organizer Tray
Hidden storage is perfect for neat freaks who can't stand the sight of a cluttered surface. If you keep your makeup in a vanity, desk or set of drawers, organizers and dividers are an absolute must. This expandable organizer has five to six compartments, depending on how wide you stretch it, and maxes out at 18.5 inches. With an open-top and transparent sides, beauty products are easy to spot and the slip-resistant textured surface serves as an added bonus. It's made of BPA-free plastic and can be hand washed using mild soap and water. At its most compact size, the low-profile organizer measures 7.8 inches long, 11.5 inches wide and 1.25 inches high.