Do you ever have trouble finding your favorite makeup products?

Do you wish you had a makeup table or at least a makeup caddy?

Doesn’t it ALWAYS happen when you’re in a hurry for some SPECIAL event?

Like an interview, or a wedding, or lunch with someone you haven’t seen in a LONG time?

Well, me too!

So, I decided to organize my makeup products once and for all. And I thought you too, might need some help in this area and thus, I decided to do a post on how I organized my makeup table. When Mr. G.Q. and I bought this home in California, I was fortunate to have a vanity table alcove already present in the master bath. Here’s how I organized my beauty products and tools in a functional yet aesthetically pleasing way. See if you think I hit those marks.

Here's my gorgeous makeup table after I organized it with a silk plant, and a mirrored tray filled with votive holders all housing my various makeup items.

My Makeup Table

Here's the makeup table BEFORE I added anything but the makeup mirror on the wall.

Here is the vanity counter BEFORE I did my project. The makeup mirror was already installed by Mr. G.Q. (see details of the mirror below). Notice how the big wall mirror (which came with the house), had gold trim. The makeup mirror was polished nickel like the bathroom hardware. Pro-Tip: It’s totally acceptable to mix metals in a room, especially if you do it intentionally. You don’t have to be matchy-matchy. And right now, ALL different types of hardware work in both kitchens and bathrooms!

Here is a bronze mirrored tray that was the start of my makeup table project. The mirrored surface is pretty and of course, reflective.

Steps to Organize my Makeup Table

Above, I started with a bronze 15 x 15-inch mirrored tray from HomeGoods because I was trying to tie together the different metals that were in place. Here is a similar one. The faucets and cabinet hardware were both polished nickel and the vanity mirrors were gold.

Here is a closup of the empty votive holders BEFORE I started the makeup table project. And a lovely pot of silk ivy that I was considering adding to the display.

Next, I purchased these very fun mercury gold votive holders from Pottery Barn to sort and contain all my different items. They’re sold in a collection of six containers of varying sizes. Here are similar ones from Amazon.

It drives me crazy when I can’t find my favorite lipstick 💄 or eyeliner 👁! My plan was to divide my products by type such as lipsticks, makeup brushes, etc. I used one of the bigger votive holders to camouflage my contact lens solution. I have found this system to be fun and effective. All my items are visible and organized.

Here is the first row of items all organized in votive holders with products in all of them. They're prettily displayed on a bronze mirrored tray

Above, Is the first row of products on the mirrored tray. My contact lens solution is in the taller votive, the brushes are in the middle, and some tools are in the third container.

Here is a closeup of two rows of makeup products organized in votive holders with products in all of them. They're prettily displayed on a bronze mirrored tray.

Above, in row 2, I paced a makeup brush cleaner on the left, smaller brushes in the middle, and powder sunscreens in the right votive.

Here is my makeup magnifying mirror while it is lit up, It is sleek and polished nickel in the finish. It has two levels of magnification. In addition you can see my almost completed makeup tray with all my products displayed in votive holders.

Above, is the third row with my foundation, blush, and several moisturizers. And see the really cute vanity chair that I bought online, here.

Here is a closeup of my makeup magnifying mirror while it is lit up, It is sleek and polished nickel in the finish. It has two levels of magnification.

In addition to the tray corralling my makeup items, I also purchased a fantastic makeup mirror from a company called Zadro. I bought it from Amazon but I first tried this mirror at a spa with my close girlfriend Molly several years ago. We both loved the even circular lighting as well as the two levels of magnification.

Here's my gorgeous makeup table after I organized it with a mirrored tray filled with votive holders all housing my various makeup items.

The way my vanity table is set up I can apply makeup using the magnifying mirror for a closeup and then look up to see a regular view in the other bigger mirror. It’s so important to look at one’s makeup in both views and in both the bright makeup mirror light as well as the more natural regular mirror light to get an accurate impression of one’s look. This is especially true when applying brow products. We’ve all seen people in recent years with a bit too much brow. To get the proportions right it’s important to get a view of our face that others will see, thus the need for a regular mirror in addition to the magnifying one. At 65, I surely need a magnifying mirror to apply my eye products. And then I finish checking my look in the regular big mirror.

Lastly, I added a silk plant to the corner of the vanity table to add a pop of green. And of course, it’s carefree!

Conclusion to My Makeup Table Project:

Alright lovely readers, how did I do on this makeup station/ vanity table? Does it look attractive and also practical? Any other suggestions? How do you organize your cosmetics? Please let me below in the comment section., below. Happy week!

XO,

Dr. Julie

Here are a few more posts for you to enjoy:

4 Comments

Molly Norris Cooke on September 19, 2022 at 12:13 pm

Yes, to the Zadro!! Good organizational ideas for my new master bath remodel!

Good, useful advice, as always!

Love, Mol
- Julie Marshall on September 21, 2022 at 11:55 am
  
  Are you doing the master remodel now? If so, how exciting? I know Handy Jeff is probably hard at work!
  Let’s go check out Miraval’s mirrors!
Joanie on September 20, 2022 at 1:32 am

Organization is my passion. Love your ideas!
- Julie Marshall on September 21, 2022 at 11:56 am
  
  Hi Joanie, how did your friend like the tie racks to organize her jewelry?