Introduction

Hi guys, I hope you are well. Are you a makeup freak? Do you buy a lot of makeup?

In this post today, I will be talking about cosmetic organizing. It will include:

• My relationship with makeup
• Pictures & details of cosmetic organizers
• 5 beauty essentials for every girl
• 3 cosmetic hygiene tips
• Inspirations for you

Retail therapy is real. The happiness I feel after buying that perfect shade of lipstick cheers me up more than anything else. 

The part that I really enjoy at the end of a hard day is comfortably sitting on my couch and applying my favorite shade of nail paint. It just gives me that quick happiness boost and lifts up my spirits. That is probably why I actually enjoy sorting out my dressing table. There is a tremendous thrill of purchasing just that coral lipstick shade or that emerald green eyeliner I had been eyeing for a while.

I even spray some perfume and apply lipstick before I get into bed. I like to think I get sweeter dreams that way. 

 My dressing table in Islamabad

Till university, I was the biggest tomboy in town so none of this really mattered to me. In fact, I used to be scared of mascaras and scream out loud if my sister tried to apply it on my lashes for a party. My idea of getting ready was to wash my face and dash out. Now I wouldn’t dare wash all that makeup off my face before going to a party.

Makeup organizer on my dressing table in Islamabad

My dressing table drawer in my room in Islamabad

As shown in the picture above, chocolate boxes make great drawer organizers.

I use a glass flower vase and a Ferrero Rocher chocolate box for my nail polishes. An antique silver container for cotton wool and an accessory hanger for the hair bands.

My dressing table top

I spent two years at Davenport Black Limited as a Loan Executive. It was a typical office job where I was at my desk from 8 AM to 6 PM Mondays to Fridays (and some voluntary Saturdays too). It is true that such jobs can become really boring and one has to find ways to motivate one’s self in order to keep your head into it. Because its the Finance sector, one has to stick to the script and cannot change it around. Saying the same things to a million customers over and over again can play strange games with your mind. I remember hearing myself telling my customers the interest rates, lender details and policies even when I was in the shower, trying to sleep or even in my sleep talk.

Those endless beeps, tones, and voicemail messages can drive one up the wall. Numerous colleagues resigned as they just couldn’t bear hearing the phone beeps and same things over and over again, every single day. I was actually the only person throughout those two years who managed to survive. All other colleagues had either been fired or they decided to get a life.

Like everyone else, I had a locker and chest of drawer in my office. My locker had chocolates, soup, Cappuccino, and Nesquik, candies, marshmallows and squash bottle in there. I also kept my nail-paint pouch, nail polish remover wipes and file in my drawer. Our bosses knew that we had terribly tough targets and how tough our jobs are, so a little bit of entertainment didn’t do them any harm.

While being busy on the phones, we used to change our nail color in the office. I knew I didn’t have a minute for this once I got home so this was the only place I could make my nails look presentable. Once Silky Kohli, my best friend and I were testing out our oil reducing papers when our boss Joe walked up to us while talking to his customer (on the phone).

He took a few oil control strips and started dabbing them on his scalp and showing us how much oil there was. And we both started making gestures that meant ‘ew! you’re disgusting’. It was a little funny as this happened during our serious financial conversations with our individual customers. My colleagues from the whole office used to come to me for nail colors (and chocolates) to keep themselves motivated and entertained at work.

Makeup bag organizer

Here is a picture of a cosmetic case, which I was gifted years ago. It has elastic on the sides so one can easily make their pencils, manicure markers and brushes stand. In the middle, you can place any of your cosmetics as you like. I used sealable bags to separate similar items.

My extra make up pouch

This was an extra bag with the eyeshadows that I rarely used. So I decided to keep them in a separate bag altogether so they don’t confuse me in my daily makeup routine.

For cleaning ears, make up quick fix, removing eye makeup near eyes

– Hairband – To keep your hair away while you wash your face or apply a face mask

– Teasing comb – for backcombing on special occasions

– Johnson’s baby wipes – removing makeup including mascara, cleansing face/hands/body

– Easy wax strips – I normally avoid parlors and believe in DIY.

– Shine control paper strips – Just dab it on your face so the oily shine disappears

– Nail polish removing wipes – Great for on-the-go or traveling. Lightweight, easy application.

– Ubtan – Mixed with Rosewater, it is the best face mask

– Sandalwood powder – A herbal face mask which does wonders on the skin

– Leave-in conditioner – Works wonders on wet hair (Pantene or Loreal recommended)

– Coconut oil – Hair conditioner, moisturizer & lip balm

– Almond oil – Hair conditioner and skin softener
– Shine Serum – For those bad hair days (Livon recommended)
– Dry shampoo – for days when you don’t have time to actually wash your hair

Finding hair in a girls hair brush can give a terrible impression of her hygiene. 

2. Clean makeup brushes 

For concealer and foundation brushes, experts suggest washing them at least once a week (if you apply makeup every day) to prevent a buildup of product.

As these brushes are used on our faces, the cleaner, the better. 

Brushes that are used around the eyes should be cleaned at least twice a month, while all others can be washed once a month. I simply use them by dipping them in warm water in a mug with some shampoo or dishwashing liquid.

My favorite Make up organizing blog:

Here is a link to PMP Mom’s Watches & Makeup organization article.