How to Clean and Organize Your Makeup Bag

We can all probably agree that rummaging through a pile of dirty products to find what you’re looking for in your overcrowded makeup bag takes away from the experience of getting ready. And if sitting down to do your makeup has become stressful due to the mess that is your makeup bag, it’s time to give it the refresh it needs. Ahead, we’re sharing 9 tips to help you clean and organize your makeup bag 一 taking it from chaotic to condensed. 

1. Take Inventory 

The first step in cleaning and organizing your makeup bag is to know what’s inside. While this might seem obvious, you might be surprised to see what products have been hiding underneath the mess. Dump out the contents of your bag and assess what you use and don’t use. Anything that you won't get use out of should be recycled or discarded in order to keep clutter to a minimum. 

2. Check For Expired Makeup 

While you might be tempted to hold onto your favorite mascara or foundation, it’s important to ensure that the makeup you’re using isn’t expired. It’s best to only keep makeup for the time recommended on the packaging of the product. If you're unsure when to throw away makeup, check for foul smells, separation, and discoloration in your products. If you spot any of those, it’s time to toss the product. 

3. Protect Your Sponges And Brushes 

While it makes sense to keep your makeup tools and your daily products together, throwing your sponges and makeup brushes in your makeup bag can make for one big mess. If anything leaks or spills, your tools will get dirty which can be both annoying and unhygienic. It’s best to keep them protected by putting them in a small pouch or bag within your makeup bag. 

4. Stock Up On Multi-Use Products 

A great way to pare down your makeup bag and prevent clutter is to focus on multitasking products. For example, rather than keeping both a setting powder and powder foundation, opt for a product that does both, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder. If you’re really tight on space, you can also use your lipstick as blush and pass on keeping a blush in your bag altogether.

For more multitasking products check out our article: 6 Unexpected Ways To Use Makeup You Already Own. 

5. Wipe Down Each Product 

Once you’re content with the contents of your makeup bag, the next step is cleaning off the products before putting them back in the bag. Using a damp cloth with water or a water-based cleanser, like the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof - All Skin Types, wipe down your products to remove gunk like smeared mascara or dripping foundation from the outside packaging. 

6. Wipe Down The Makeup Bag 

If you’ve been dealing with spillage, chances are the inside of your makeup bag is filled with stains. To clean the bag, hold your makeup bag upside down over the trash to get rid of loose debris. If you’re using a cloth makeup bag, pop it into the washing machine using hot water to get rid of any bacteria. If it’s made of plastic, simply turn it inside out and use a makeup remover wipe to give it a proper wipe down. 

7. Use Clear Bags Within Your Bag 

If you carry a slightly larger makeup bag, organize all of your goodies into smaller, clear makeup bags that will make finding specific products a lot easier. This will also protect your products and the makeup bag itself if something spills and help you keep your makeup bag clean for longer. Try pairing all of your lip products together, all of your eye products together, all of your face products together — you get the idea.

8. Use Cotton Pads To Prevent Shattering 

Finding your go-to eyeshadow palette or face powder completely shattered is a makeup bag catastrophe. But the truth is, day to day movements can cause your products to bump up against each other, break, and spill. However, preventing this is easier and quicker than you may think. Simply place a thin cotton round on top of the palette or powder, then shut the compact as usual. Having this protective cotton layer will help prevent any breakage. This is especially helpful when you’re traveling. 

9. Organize The Products By Size 

When it’s time to reload your makeup bag, instead of aimlessly tossing all of your products into the bag, group them by size. Put all of the square and circular products, such as face powder, bronzer and blush next to each other, lined up in a neat row. Then group together the long, slender products, like your eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, lip liner, and brow gel. This will be easier if the bag has compartments, but it can still help to keep some organization regardless.

Next: 10 Nail Polish Organizer Ideas To Stylishly Store Your Polish

Edited by: Alyssa Kaplan, Photo: iStock