How to: Makeup Vanity Cases

A makeup vanity case should hold everything you need to get ready in a hurry. Whether you're creating a natural makeup look for the day or going all out with a dramatic look for night, having makeup essentials in your vanity case will ensure everything you need is within reach. Keep your vanity case organized and up to date for a convenient go-to kit. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Choose a makeup vanity case that suits you. Makeup vanity cases don't have to come from the beauty section of a store. Items like a plastic storage box, small plastic columns with drawers, or a designer shoe box can hold your cosmetics. This vanity case will sit on your vanity or come out when you do your daily makeup routine, so be sure it is small enough to get around and does not create an obtrusive look sitting on or under your vanity.

2

Weed out expired makeup. When creating the ideal makeup vanity case, it's important you rid your makeup collection of any old makeup that's no longer usable. Anything that has a strange smell should immediately be thrown out. Mascaras are the biggest culprit and should be tossed after 3 months. Cream formulas such as blush, foundation or concealer can be held on to for up a year and powder formulas last the longest, so ditch them after 2 years. Lip products can stay around for 2 years after opening.

3

Determine your essentials. If you have a large makeup collection, this can be difficult to do. You need all of your daily face makeup and brushes. One or two blushes, including a dark shade for contouring and a peach or pink hue for adding color can be enough for regular makeup. For eye shadows, have a highlighting shade, a matte skin tone, a contouring color and a black or dark brown shadow that can be used for a quick smoky eye. Mascara and your preferred eye liner should be included, along with a neutral lip pencil and lip products you regularly reach for.

That said, create your own rules. Maybe false lashes are a daily essential for you, in which case they would make the cut for the makeup vanity case. You want to store items you regularly use in this case, along with the essentials for a slightly dramatic look that can be achieved when you are short on time.

4

Section makeup off according to use. Within your makeup vanity case, keep like products together so you aren't endlessly searching through the case. It will help if your vanity case has dividers of some sort. Place all brushes together with the bristles facing up. All face makeup such as concealer, foundation and loose powder should be together. Blushes can be stored with face makeup. All eye shadows should be together and all eye makeup products, such as liners and mascara, in another section. Shadows can be further divided by light and dark shades. Lip products should all go together, regardless of color.