A makeup bag is designed to keep your everyday essentials organized, but if yours is bursting at the seams, your kit can be more confusing than convenient (not to mention heavy). Here’s how you can de-bulk your bag and still have everything you need at your fingertips.
Stock up on empty containers. Many makeup companies, beauty supply stores, drug stores and specialty stores (like Muji, a Japanese lifestyle store) sell small refillable jars and bottles. Fill them with any creams, liquids, and loose powders you’d like to have on the go, and stick a label on them so you know exactly what each tiny container holds. I’m a big fan of Brother P-Touch Labelers for this specific purpose.
Make your own artist’s palette. If you’re someone who likes to mix different lipsticks for a custom shade or prefers having a bunch of colors on hand throughout the day, you can streamline your kit without sacrificing your options. Get yourself an empty makeup palette and fill the individual wells with your favorite lipsticks, as well as any other creamy products, such as lip balm, concealer, cream blush, and more.
So how do you get the product into the palette? By cleanly slicing it with dental floss, carving a small wedge out with a plastic knife, or scooping it out with a caviar spoon. Use your fingertips to gently press the product into the well. Clean up the palette’s edges with a Q-tip.
Or, customize your palette at the makeup counter. I’ve developed a palette system so that women can create their ideal palette, filled with their most perfect eye, lip, and cheek shades. The concept is simple: You only carry around the shades that you love, and it takes up a fraction of the room than it would if you’d purchased three, four, or six of the products individually.
Stock up on samples. A lot of beauty companies offer generous samples of their cosmetics and skincare, all of which are ideal for stashing in your makeup bag. Look out for special giveaways, or be bold and just ask if samples are available.
Invest in a mini brush set. Look for brushes with short handles but full-size brush heads. (Mini brush heads don’t apply makeup as well.) The three essentials: An eyeliner, eye shadow, and blush brush.
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